What is gynaecological oncology?
Gynaecological oncology is a branch of medicine which diagnoses and treats cancers that are located on a woman’s reproductive organs, including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar.
Gynaecological oncologists have completed obstetrics and gynaecology residency training and then pursued subspecialty training through a gynaecological oncology fellowship. Gynaecological oncologists can offer optimal care of women with a Gynaecological cancer, as well as conduct screenings for gynaecological cancer, manage pre-malignant gynaecological diseases as well as complex gynaecological cases such as endometriosis, fibroids and pelvic masses.
Gynaecological cancers are complex and treatment often involves multiple modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. A gynaecological oncologist is specially trained to diagnose and treat these types of cancers, as well as premalignant conditions that lead to gynaecological cancer. They see women with gynaecological cancers every day, and have developed the skills and judgment required to perform procedures on the reproductive system.
An integrated approach to gynaecological cancers
Mediclinic City Hospital offers an integrated, multidisciplinary approach for every cancer patient. For those suffering from gynaecological cancers in particular, our team understands that body image issues, sexual function issues, menopause symptoms and emotional distress can all impact a patient’s quality of life. Women should have a team that can address these concerns, with an understanding of the whole patient.
The Gynaecological Oncology Department is led by Dr. Karim Elmasry, a British, Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology dual accredited obstetrician and gynaecologist and subspecialist gynaecological oncologist.
Dr Karim works hand-in-hand with a team of experienced internationally trained obstetricians and gynaecologists. The team consists of six full time consultants and more than a dozen hospitalists.
The department is located in the Mediclinic City Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre and offers a comprehensive approach to gynaecological cancers with the latest, state-of-the art modalities of investigations and treatment.
Tumour boards
The Comprehensive Cancer Centre practises a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancers which encompasses tumour boards of various medical disciplines, including surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, consultants and specialists doctors, all of whom, together, will decide on a personalised course of treatment, following accepted and recognised international guidelines.
Gynaecological oncology scope of service:
- Minimal access surgery (laparoscopic and hysteroscopic)
- Screening for diseases of the cervix (HPV testing and colposcopy)
- Managing complex gynaecological cases of endometriosis and fibroids
- Managing cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vulva. This includes
- Investigations: image guided biopsies, MRI, CT, PET-CT, histopathology
Surgery: - Fertility sparing surgery where appropriate
- Minimal access surgery (laparoscopic)
- Sentinel nodes
- Radical surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy including external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy
- Investigations: image guided biopsies, MRI, CT, PET-CT, histopathology
- Counselling and managing patients for familial cancers of the ovary, uterus and breast
- Gynaecological screening for patients with breast cancer
