Gynecologic Cancer Program at Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County
At the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. We treat you with expertise and compassion. Our gynecologic cancer specialists use advanced testing and diagnostic tools to accurately identify the type, stage and unique characteristics of your cancer.
Gynecologic Cancer Program at Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County
At the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. We treat you with expertise and compassion. Our gynecologic cancer specialists use advanced testing and diagnostic tools to accurately identify the type, stage and unique characteristics of your cancer.
Gynecologic Cancer Conditions We Treat
Gynecologic cancers are cancers of the female reproductive organs, including the ovaries, cervix, uterus and vulva. We focus on treating patients with gynecologic cancer, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Gestational trophoblastic disease
- Ovarian cancer
- Including fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer
- Uterine sarcoma
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
Meet Our Expert Cancer Team
At the Providence Orange County Cancer Institute, our multi-disciplinary team is committed to providing expert care to every patient. We work together to deliver a personalized approach to prevention and treatment, supporting you at every stage. With our collaborative expertise, you receive dedicated guidance and compassionate support throughout your journey.
Testing and Diagnostics
Our care team uses many tools to provide a diagnosis and learn which therapies will work best to treat your cancer type based on your individual needs.
A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample to determine whether cancer cells are present. It’s a common and reliable diagnostic method used to determine the presence of cancer cells.
Cervical cancer screenings help you protect yourself against cervical health issues and help catch cervical cancer in the early stages – when it’s most treatable.
Cervical cancer screenings typically involve both a Pap test and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, since most cervical cancers are caused by HPV. A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, looks at cervical cells to detect abnormalities that may become cancerous if left untreated. The HPV test identifies whether the virus is present in the body.
An FNA biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure where a thin needle is inserted into a sensitive area to withdraw cells that can be tested, helping to provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Genetic tests, also known as genetic screenings, DNA tests or chromosomal tests, can help determine your risk of developing certain cancers, especially if you have a family history of cancer. We offer treatment, management and prevention plans that are personalized to your unique genetic profile.
A PET scan is a nuclear imaging procedure that uses a combination of computer technology and a radioactive imaging agent called a tracer to produce clear, high-resolution images of the body and its various functions in real-time and in 3D. They allow doctors to evaluate a wide range of conditions – including brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and a variety of cancers – and provide more accurate diagnoses, targeted treatments and better outcomes for our patients.
An ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram, is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses inaudible high-frequency sound waves emitted through the body to create an image of your internal organs on screen. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
With the ultrasound, your doctor is able to assess blood flow through various vessels and the overall condition of some of your most vital organs, such as the liver, spleen, gallbladder and kidneys.
Services and Treatments
Each treatment plan is unique, personalized to your cancer type and individual needs. Your care team collaborates with you and discusses your treatment plan in detail, which may include a combination of therapies.
Together, we work side by side to deliver powerful, personalized treatment and dedicated support that you can count on. Additionally, our oncology nurse navigators are always available to answer your questions and support you before, during and after treatment.
Medical oncology uses systemic therapies that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer that has spread to other areas of the body or has a high risk of spreading. Sophisticated genetic analysis allows some of these therapies to target specific DNA mutations that cause cancer cells to develop and grow.
Adjuvant chemotherapy is treatment given after your main therapy, often surgery, to help destroy any cancer cells that may still be in the body. The goal is to lower the chance of cancer recurrence.
Hormone therapy is the use of drugs that inhibit the production or block the effect of certain hormones, typically sex hormones, to help control the growth of cancer cells.
Immunotherapy boosts or restores the body’s natural defenses. Cellular therapies, stem cell transplants and biologic therapies use your own cells to fight disease and support recovery.
Molecularly targeted therapy uses drugs – including oral and intravenous (IV) biologics – to target specific molecules that allow cancer to grow. This therapy enables personalized treatment for patients, especially those who carry certain genetic mutations or abnormalities.
You receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy before your main treatment to help improve outcomes. Starting treatment earlier can sometimes shrink a tumor, make surgery less complex or lower the risk of cancer spreading. For some patients, it may also help reduce long-term side effects or lower the risk of complications, especially if lymph nodes are involved.
Surgical therapies involve an operation or procedure to remove cancer from the body. Surgery may be the main treatment for some invasive cancers, but it’s only one part of the entire treatment plan.
Advanced laparoscopic procedures use minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat complex gynecologic conditions – including stage IV endometriosis – reducing damage to surrounding tissues and potentially improving recovery time.
BSO is the surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Groin sentinel lymph node dissection is the surgical removal of groups of lymph nodes in the groin to check for the presence of cancer cells, stop cancer from spreading and/or prevent recurrence.
Gynecologic wide local excision is the surgical removal of a gynecologic tumor or lesion and the surrounding tissue.
Surgeons use a laser to target and destroy abnormal growths on the cervix, vagina and/or vulva.
Ovarian wide local excision is the surgical removal of an ovarian tumor or lesion and the surrounding tissue.
Partial and complete radical vulvectomy is the surgical removal of the vulva, consisting of the vaginal lips, clitoris and vaginal opening. Sometimes nearby lymph nodes are removed as well.
Pelvic exenteration is the surgical removal of the lower colon, bladder and rectum. In women, the cervix, vagina, ovaries and surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed.
Radical hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, cervix and part of the vagina. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove the fallopian tubes, ovaries and nearby lymph nodes.
RPLN is the surgical removal of groups of lymph nodes in the abdomen to check for the presence of cancer cells, stop cancer from spreading and/or prevent recurrence.
Robotic-assisted surgery is a new way of performing minimally invasive procedures, incorporating techniques that allow a surgeon to operate through several small incisions, or ports, about the size of a dime. Robotic-assisted surgery uses technology proven to effectively treat a wide range of conditions with less pain, faster recovery and reduced risk of complications following surgery.
Sentinel node dissection groin lymphadenectomy is the surgical removal of lymph nodes near the groin. Then, tissue is tested for the presence of cancer cells or evaluated to see if cancer has spread.
Trachelectomy is the surgical removal of the cervix. While the surgeon may also remove part of the vagina and nearby lymph nodes, they preserve the uterus to allow opportunity for potential pregnancies in the future.
The goal of tumor cytoreduction is to remove as much of a tumor as possible, leaving only microscopic traces of disease behind. The procedure can help other therapies, like adjuvant chemotherapy, become more effective, which also helps improve survival rates.
Vaginectomy with reconstruction is surgery to remove and reconstruct some or all of the vagina.
Radiation is effective in killing cancer cells and shrinking tumors. It can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments.
IGRT delivers high-dose radiation, guided by imaging, directly to tumors. It provides precise and accurate cancer treatment while preserving healthy tissue and potentially keeping the side effects that you experience to a minimum.
IMRT and VMAT are advanced types of radiation therapies:
- IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate the radiation beams to conform to the shape of a tumor.
- VMAT is a subtype of IMRT in which the machine actively delivers radiation beams while moving in an arc around the patient.
The arc-based therapy provided via VMAT delivers high doses of radiation to more focused areas, reducing side effects, toxicity and harm to vital organs and the overall treatment time.
Learn more about intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
SGRT/SIGRT uses real-time beam guidance and surface-recognition technology to target tumors, reducing side effects and harm to vital organs. This therapy can be used in conjunction with IMRT and VMAT to help guide your positioning during treatment and account for any involuntary movement, making it less invasive and potentially more comfortable for you.
3DCRT uses 3D planning and CT imaging to better target tumors and cancerous areas and improve the outcome of radiation treatment. It also limits the damage to healthy tissue, potentially decreasing risks like infection and minimizing side effects.
Learn more about three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT)
Additional therapies may also be part of the treatment plan for a small number of patients.
Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive procedure guided by radiologic imaging. It may be used to implant a port, or vascular access device, to obtain diagnostic material, remove fluid from the chest or abdomen or deliver treatment locally.
Lymphedema therapy addresses the buildup of lymph fluid that can be caused by cancer or cancer treatment.
To improve lymphatic drainage, your care team might use a combination of treatments, including specialized massage, compression therapy – the wrapping of an extremity to apply consistent pressure to the affected area – or the use of mechanical pumps to help fluid circulate.
Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps you strengthen and/or relax the pelvic floor muscles, including your bladder, rectum and reproductive system. When the pelvic floor weakens, either through age, pressure, childbirth, cancer treatment, etc., conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, fistulas, bladder and bowel disorders can occur.
Pelvic floor therapy helps prevent, treat and/or manage symptoms of these conditions.
Patient Resources & Support
Get a second opinion from our world-class cancer experts, so that you can make important decisions about your treatment plan and move forward with confidence. Our web page will walk you through the next steps and let you know how to prepare for your appointment.
Are you looking for a clinical trial, either for yourself or a patient? Currently, Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County is involved in over 100 ongoing clinical trials.
We offer comprehensive support services – including oncology nurse navigators, transportation services and financial counseling – to help you and your loved ones throughout your cancer journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we encourage your family members and loved ones to be involved in your care and know as much about your treatment plan as possible.
To help you and your care team focus during appointments, we just ask that only one family member or loved one accompany you at a time. We have additional support services available for them as well.
Not all cancer treatments include chemotherapy drugs. Your cancer care team will review your options in detail to find the best approach for your treatment.
If your treatment plan does include chemotherapy, you may experience certain side effects. Some of the most common chemotherapy side effects include:
- Anemia
- Easier bleeding and bruising
- Extreme tiredness
- Hair loss
- Inability to focus
- Loss of appetite
- Lowered immunity and increased infections
- Mood changes
Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can affect fertility. These effects could be short-term, but there is a chance that you might experience them permanently.
If you're concerned about fertility, please talk to your care team about options and discuss the potential impacts of your specific treatment plan. They may be able to connect you with fertility preservation resources so that you can make informed decisions about the future.
Yes, some gynecologic cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer, can run in families due to inherited gene mutations. Others, like cervical cancer, are often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Talk to your doctor about genetic testing, HPV vaccination or screening if you have concerns – they’re powerful tools for early detection and prevention.
Some gynecologic cancer treatments can affect sexual function, but the impact varies based on the type of cancer, the treatment plan and your overall health.
We understand how deeply personal this is, and your care team will talk openly with you about what to expect. If you experience changes, we’ll offer support through medications, therapies or counseling to help manage any effects and maintain your sexual health during and after treatment.
Your pelvic floor is all the muscles and tissues that support the organs surrounding the base of your pelvis, located at the bottom of your spine. These organs include your bladder, uterus, cervix and vagina.
Gynecologic cancer, and the treatments for gynecologic cancer, can have a significant impact on your pelvic floor. The impact can lead to symptoms like incontinence, pain and sexual dysfunction.
Although these symptoms might feel embarrassing, they are common. Our care teams want to know if you're experiencing these side effects and are prepared to discuss how pelvic floor therapy can help.
Pelvic floor therapy can help if you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) or seeking specialized care for pelvic health concerns.
By focusing on toning and strengthening weak or damaged muscles, pelvic floor therapy can decrease tissue tightness and sensitivity to help alleviate the painful symptoms that you might be experiencing.
Yes, our support services at Providence include financial navigation to help ease your way through financial concerns and barriers.
Our staff can help you:
- Evaluate insurance health plans to ensure the right choices are made for your care
- Leverage available programs and services, such as co-pay assistance and patient assistance programs to help reduce financial barriers
- Optimize external assistance programs, such as patient financial support programs
Your oncology nurse navigator can refer you to a social worker, who can connect you with financial support as needed.
An oncology nurse navigator is a nurse or registered clinician who personally guides you from diagnosis through survivorship. They are your advocate, here to provide support and reassurance tailored to your needs – whether that's occasional conversations or daily check-ins.
Your navigator can coordinate your appointments, speak directly with your primary care physician, provide support to lower your stress, talk to your loved ones and help you access all the resources that you need.