Gynecological cancers
Overview
Gynecological cancers include any cancer that begin in a woman’s reproductive organs, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, or cancer of the vulva. Unfortunately, all women are at risk of developing gynecological cancer. However, a family history in gynecological cancer, obesity, age, and HPV virus infections are important risk factors. Approximately 120,000 women are diagnosed with some form of gynecological cancer each year in the European Union. Additionally, approximately 520,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed worldwide every year, leading to 266,000 deaths. This number is expected to continue decreasing in the future thanks to novel vaccinations against the HPV virus.
Diagnosis
Most gynecological cancer patients experience one of the following symptoms: bleeding or contact bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen, weakness, weight loss, swollen legs or a palpable mass. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or are considered high risk for developing gynecological cancer, consult our specialists to determine the best course of action.
Most of gynecological cancers are detected during a proper gynecological examination. If your doctor detects a tumor, they will recommend a smear and / or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This will also give your medical team more information on the cellular and molecular characteristics of the tumor. These characteristics include, for example, the squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix or adenoid carcinoma of the endometrium.
At the same time, your medical team will analyze the cancer’s molecular characteristics by looking for mutations in the cancer’s DNA. Different diagnoses can be determined through this molecular analysis, including mutations to the TP53, POLE and MMRd, BRCA1/2 genes. Additionally, doctors may recommend an analysis of the ways your estrogen and progesterone receptors express, and of the HER2/neu status. These genetic mutations can influence a patient’s prognosis, such as how quickly the gynecological cancer grows and spreads, and how the disease will respond to specific treatments, including different types of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. To assess the potential spread of the cancer, your GMI medical team may recommend you undergo further imaging studies. The GMI offers the most advanced medical imaging techniques: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT).
Treatment
Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
For cases where the cancer remains localized, a dedicated team of surgeons or radiation oncologists will eradicate the tumor using the most modern treatment options. The GMI Radiation Oncology team has received world-wide recognition for implementing high-precision radiotherapy techniques, such as brachytherapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy.
For cases where the cancer is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include the newest regimen of systemic therapies like targeted therapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each lung cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports lung cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
