A gynecologic oncologist is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system. While education requirements vary by country, in the United States, a gynecologic oncologist completes four years of obstetrics and gynecology training after medical school to become a gynecologist and obstetrician. Following that, he or she typically receives another two to four years of specialized training in all aspects of female reproductive cancer and cancer treatment, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and experimental cancer treatments.
Unlike an oncologist, who studies and treats all types of cancerous tumors, a gynecologic oncologist must typically complete extensive and specialized surgical training before performing procedures on the female reproductive system and surrounding pelvic and internal organs. This surgical expertise is required because reproductive cancer frequently spreads to nearby tissues in the body through a process known as metastasis.
A gynecologic oncologist with this surgical training can perform biopsies and procedures related to surgical staging, which determines the stage of cancer present. The cancer stage must be determined before the patient’s treatment options can be determined. A debulking surgical procedure, also known as cytoreductive surgery, may be performed after or during surgical staging to physically remove as much cancer as possible.
A gynecologic oncologist is trained to prescribe and supervise non-surgical cancer treatments, such as chemical or radiation-based treatments, in addition to being a surgeon. He or she must keep up with the latest advances in cancer research and act as a one-stop shop for women with reproductive cancer in order to be effective.
Many women with reproductive cancer, especially those in advanced stages of the disease, benefit greatly from gynecologic oncologists’ specialized medical care. This may be especially true for patients with ovarian cancer, which can be difficult to detect in its early stages, as well as patients with rare cancers like fallopian tube cancer. Gynecologic oncologists see women at all stages of cancer as well as those with more common female cancers like cervical cancer, endometrial or uterine cancer, and vaginal cancer. While a gynecologic oncologist may see breast cancer patients, physicians who specialize in breast cancer treatment may be better suited to treat their condition.
In order for a patient to see a specialist, some health insurance companies may require a referral from a physician. Contact a local hospital, primary care physician, or the American Cancer Society for more information on gynecologic oncology and physicians who specialize in it.