Gynecologic Oncology Program Our Services
Patients of the Gynecologic Oncology Program have access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available. Supportive care is also available through the CompleteLife Program whose staff compassionately support and educate our patients by tending to the emotional, social and spiritual needs of our patients.
Diagnostic Tools
Gynecologic cancer diagnosis may be aided by one or more of the following tools:
- clinical examination to check for lumps or other changes
- blood testing to measure the amounts of certain substances that may indicate the presence of cancer
- colposcopy to examine the vagina and cervix using a lighted magnifying instrument
- laparoscopy to inspect the inside of the abdomen and remove tissue samples with the assistance of a thin, lighted tube
- biopsy and special pathologic studies to remove cells or tissues for examination under a microscope
- various imaging procedures to take picutres of various parts of the body to look for cancer
Treatment Options
Treatment options for gynecologic cancer include one or more of the following, based on the most current treatment recommendations and the needs of the patient:
- surgery to take out the cancer and sometimes surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes in an operation
- chemotherapy to kill cancer cells with drugs
- radiotherapy to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
- chemoradiotherapy to combine chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- hormonal therapy to slow or stop tumor growth
IU Simon Cancer Center patients have access to all standard treatment therapies and, for those who qualify, state of the science clinical trials for care options not yet available elsewhere. Information is also available about ongoing clinical studies elsewhere in the United States.