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Treatments

Treatments for Uterine and Endometrial Cancer

Holy Cross Health’s GYN cancer experts typically recommend minimally invasive hysterectomy for women diagnosed with uterine cancers. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (and may also include removal of the ovaries or surrounding reproductive organs). 

At Holy Cross Health, this procedure can be performed using minimally invasive and robotic procedures that only require small incisions, for a quicker recovery and less complications.

Other treatment options for uterine cancer may include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy

Treatments for Ovarian Cancer

Holy Cross Health’s reproductive cancer experts typically recommend surgery to remove the ovaries as well as surrounding reproductive organs including the fallopian tubes and the uterus to treat ovarian cancer. Holy Cross Health Cancer Center’s renowned gynecological cancer surgery experts use advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques that result in fewer complications, less post-operative pain and a quicker recovery.

Your ovarian cancer treatment may also include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Participation in clinical trials

Treatments for Cervical Cancer

The early stages of cervical cancer are usually highly treatable. Treatments include:

  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
  • Cryosurgery, which removes pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix
  • Total hysterectomy for women who do not wish to have more children

Advanced stage cervical cancer may require additional treatments, including:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Total or radical hysterectomy
  • Minimally invasive robotic hysterectomy

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for most gynecologic cancers, and Holy Cross Health Cancer Center has the most experienced gynecologic cancer surgeons you can find. Our team performs more gynecologic and gynecologic cancer surgeries than any other hospital or health system in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Surgical treatment options for reproductive cancers include:

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and both fallopian tubes and ovaries. Often surgery also includes the removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen. The extent of the surgery depends on how advanced the tumor is and whether it has spread.

Holy Cross Health’s gynecological cancer surgeons perform several types of hysterectomy, depending on the patient’s specific situation. At Holy Cross Hospital, between 60 and 70 percent of these surgeries are performed using robotics and other minimally invasive techniques.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is used to destroy precancerous cervical cells, which are abnormal cells in the cervix that have not yet become cancer. The procedure kills the abnormal cells using liquid nitrogen to freeze them.

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)

In this treatment for vaginal or cervical cancer, abnormal cells are removed with a wire loop heated with electrical energy. LEEP may be used to collect a thin layer of tissue for a biopsy. It may also be used to remove cancerous or precancerous areas (lesions) from the cervix or vagina.  

Salpingo-oophorectomy

A salpingo-oophorectomy is surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is a surgical treatment option for some ovarian cancers.

  • A unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes the fallopian tube and ovary on only one side
  • A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes both fallopian tubes and both ovaries

As with hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomies can often be performed as minimally invasive procedures or robotic-assisted surgery at Holy Cross Health Cancer Center.

Medication

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, often called “chemo,” uses powerful anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used as a standalone treatment, or it can be combined with other treatment types, such as radiation therapy or surgery. The drugs that treat gynecological cancers are usually taken in pill form or infused directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a revolutionary new wave of treatments that harness the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. The patient’s cancer-fighting immune cells are harvested, and in some cases are modified to work more effectively. Then, they are multiplied and reintroduced into the patient’s body.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy may be used to block certain hormones that can cause gynecological cancers to grow or return. It is generally given in pill form.

Radiation

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by aiming precise beams of energy at the tumor. Different radiation technologies are best for different types of tumors. Among the specialized technologies for gynecologic cancer treatment is HDR (high dose rate) therapy, which delivers radiation directly into the tumor and is particularly effective for reproductive cancers. 

Call 1-855-HCH-HOPE (424-4673) to learn more about our cancer care services.