Gynecologic Procedures
Today’s gynecologic cancer treatments include advanced surgical techniques and technologies designed to treat cancer effectively while helping you recover more quickly and experience fewer side effects.
Advanced Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Robotic technology allows our gynecologic oncologists to perform complex surgeries through very small incisions. In some cases, robotic surgery can even be used for cancers involving areas of the upper abdomen. For certain patients, surgery may be performed through the vagina using a technique called vNOTES. This approach can allow your surgeon to perform procedures such as a hysterectomy without making visible incisions on the abdomen. Potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery may include smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery.
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping
When treating certain gynecologic cancers, your doctor may need to determine whether cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. With sentinel lymph node mapping, a special dye helps your surgeon identify the first lymph nodes where cancer would be most likely to spread. Instead of removing many lymph nodes, the surgeon may be able to remove only these specific nodes for testing. This approach can reduce the risk of lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling when lymph fluid builds up in the body.
Heated Chemotherapy During Surgery (HIPEC)
For some patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer, HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) may be used during surgery. After the surgeon removes as much visible cancer as possible, heated chemotherapy is circulated throughout the abdomen. The goal is to reach microscopic cancer cells that cannot be seen or removed during surgery.
Radiation Therapy During Surgery (IORT)
For certain advanced or recurrent pelvic cancers, radiation therapy may sometimes be given directly to the area where the tumor was removed while the patient is still in surgery. This treatment, called Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), allows your doctor to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation directly to the treatment area while protecting nearby healthy organs and tissues.
Fertility-Sparing and Risk-Reducing Surgery
For some younger patients, treatment may be planned with future fertility in mind. A radical trachelectomy may be an option for certain early-stage cervical cancers. The cervix and nearby tissue are removed while the uterus remains in place, which may preserve the possibility of carrying a pregnancy in the future. For some patients with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, your doctor may also recommend removing the fallopian tubes while temporarily leaving the ovaries in place. This approach may help reduce cancer risk while delaying the effects of surgical menopause.
Personalized Treatment Using Tumor and Blood Testing
Advanced testing can help doctors better understand the unique characteristics of your cancer. Tumor molecular profiling examines specific changes within cancer cells, while a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) blood test, sometimes called a liquid biopsy, looks for small amounts of tumor-related DNA in the bloodstream. Information from these tests may help your care team determine whether certain targeted therapies or immunotherapies could be appropriate as part of your treatment plan.
Specialized Care for Benign Gynecologic Conditions
Not all gynecologic concerns are related to cancer. The West Cancer Center Gynecology Department provides specialized care for women across the Mid-South with a wide range of benign gynecologic conditions. Our team offers advanced treatment options tailored to each woman’s needs, including minimally invasive surgical techniques and comprehensive care for chronic and complex conditions.
Gynecologic Oncology Academic Program
West Cancer Center’s partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) is part of an academic program dedicated to advancing gynecologic cancer care through patient care, research, education, and physician training. Our gynecologic oncology team not only provides specialized, comprehensive care for patients, but also helps train the next generation of gynecologic oncologists. Through this partnership, fellows learn alongside experienced specialists while caring for patients, contributing to research, and developing the skills needed to advance the future of gynecologic cancer care.