Gynecological Oncology

The Center for Women’s Health and the Cancer Institute offer various services for the treatment of various gynecological diseases and conditions, including ovarian and uterine cancers and the evaluation of patients with human papilloma virus (HPV). Experts at the hospital perform surgery, including hysterectomy; radiation therapy; hormonal therapy; stem cell transplantation, blood product transfusions, bioimmunotherapy and comfort care to improve the quality and quantity of life for the patient.

Hospital staff offers evaluation of abnormal gynecologic findings and care of patients with cancerous conditions of the cervix, vagina and vulva, ovaries, uterus.

• What is cancer?
• Is cancer always life threatening?
• How does cancer develop, and why does it develop in some people and not in others?

What is Cancer?

"Cancer" is a general term for different illnesses that occur when cells become abnormal and keep dividing to form more cells without control or order. These abnormal cells may form malignant tumors which can develop in various parts of the body. Some cancers will only affect one organ, while others will spread throughout the body in various ways; however, all cancers are characterized by the abnormal growth and spread of cells within the body. Even when cancer spreads from the original site, or the primary tumor, to other parts of the body, the abnormal cell stays the same type of abnormal cell. For that reason, most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they began.

Cancer Always Life Threatening?

Cancer is a very serious disease. However, being diagnosed with it is not a certain death sentence. In fact, most types of cancer can be treated and some even cured. Despite incredible medical advances, cancer is ranked second only to cardiovascular disease as the deadliest killer in America—claiming approximately 560,000 lives last year. More than four out of 10 people diagnosed with cancer are surviving. On average, more than 1,500 people in America will die from cancer every day.

How Does Cancer Develop, and Why Does It Develop in Some People and Not in Others?

No one knows why cancer develops in some people and not in others. Most cancers develop slowly from a complex sequence of events. Cancer forms because of the production of altered deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is the structure in our cells that builds our chromosomes, which serve as each cell’s control center. DNA also contains genes, the basic unit of our heredity that tells our cells who we are and what to do.

An alteration usually is caused by multiple factors that alter normal cell growth. These factors may include occupation, nutrition, lifestyle, prior infections with certain viruses and/or possessing genes previously altered and passed on to offspring.

Most scientists accept the theory of initiation and promotion. Initiation means the DNA has converted, that something has caused mutations. Promotion means something causes it to grow, but it can only grow as a cancer if the cell has undergone prior chromosomal change. Factors which cause the changes can be internal (for example, hormones, tissue damage, lowered immunity, etc.). These factors also can be external (for example, environmental and occupation-related chemicals, exposure to radiation, etc.).

Remember, early detection of cancer is one of your best defenses against the disease.

For more information on conditions, treatments and the many services for patients of cancer, please visit the Cancer Institute.