Gynecologic oncologist

An oncologist-gynecologist (oncogynecologist) is a doctor who has knowledge of obstetrics and gynecology, trained in diagnostic methods, as well as treatment and prevention options for various types of tumors of the female reproductive system.

The medical branch of oncogynecology has a narrow specialization, namely: the study of malignant neoplasms of the female reproductive system, including breast cancer.

Who is a gynecological oncologist?

An oncologist-gynecologist is a highly qualified specialist who combines knowledge of therapy and surgery, diagnosing benign and malignant neoplasms of the female genital organs, and determining the treatment method in each specific case.

An oncologist-gynecologist is a doctor who studies the causes of the formation and development of cancer cells, the clinical course of tumor processes and introduces new methods of diagnosing and treating oncology at different stages of manifestation. Thirdly, a doctor who carries out important preventive work to prevent malignant tumors.

When should you see a gynecological oncologist?

An oncologist-gynecologist consults patients referred by a therapist or obstetrician-gynecologist who suspect precancerous/cancerous processes (leukoplakia, vulvar kraurosis, etc.), as well as when various neoplasms are detected outside and inside the genital area.

It is necessary to undergo an examination if the following initial symptoms are detected:

• putrid odor of the genitals;
• disorders of the rectum;
• the appearance of itching/burning in the vulva area;
• urinary dysfunction;
• pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region;
• if there is unhealthy vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea) of a bloody, serous, purulent or mixed type;
• the presence of general intoxication of the body;
• shortness of breath;
• increase in abdominal volume;
• lack of appetite and sudden, unexplained weight loss;
• contact bleeding is detected.

A nodular neoplasm or tumor detected during breast self-diagnosis will be an indication for contacting a mammologist.

What tests should you take when visiting an oncologist-gynecologist?

If necessary and according to indications, the gynecologist-oncologist refers the patient for additional laboratory tests. To the question, what tests should be taken when contacting an oncologist-gynecologist? It is impossible to answer unequivocally due to the specifics of the course of the disease in each individual case. For example, the analysis for the tumor marker CA-125 is used to detect ovarian cancer. In the case of uterine fibroids, it is recommended to undergo a routine examination by a gynecologist at least once every six months with mandatory ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

It is impossible to reliably differentiate a malignant tumor based on the results of a blood test, so blood is taken for biochemistry and hormones. Cytological smears and a histological examination of the cervix help the oncologist-gynecologist clarify the clinical picture.

Do not try to interpret the test results yourself and panic in advance. Of course, a decrease in hemoglobin levels and an increase in the quantitative content of tumor markers in the blood are inherent in the oncological process, but a similar situation is also observed during pregnancy. Therefore, leave your attempts to decipher the laboratory test data and trust the professionals.

What diagnostic methods does an oncologist-gynecologist use?

Timely diagnosis of oncology involves preventive visits at least 1-2 times a year, subject to mandatory cytological examination and Schiller test.

Considering that most malignant processes occur without symptoms, what diagnostic methods does an oncologist-gynecologist use? An experienced specialist has at his disposal: palpation method, results of laboratory tests of smear, blood and urine. As additional diagnostic technologies, an oncologist-gynecologist uses:

• vaginal ultrasound examination;
• uterine sounding;
• hormonal background study;
• methods of computer, positron emission tomography;
• laparoscopic and colposcopic examination;
• polypectomy and hysteroscopy;
• scintigraphy;
• excisional biopsy;
• oncogenetic tests to detect gene mutations (BRCA 1-2) and oncogene detection (RAS);
• diagnostic/fractional curettage.

The biopsy is supported by histology and immunohistochemical examination, on the basis of which the diagnosis is confirmed by establishing the degree of malignancy and the depth of its penetration into the tissue.

What does a gynecological oncologist do?

An oncologist-gynecologist identifies precancerous and cancerous conditions of the following organs - vagina, ovaries, uterus, vulva. The risk group includes women with a history of oncology in close relatives, as well as patients with frequently recurring infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Most cancer pathologies are asymptomatic; in the case of a chronic inflammatory process, cells may degenerate into malignant ones; all this complicates the detection of oncology at an early stage and explains the late appeal of the patients themselves.

The main task of the doctor is to detect cancer at an early stage, when long and laborious treatment is not required, and the percentage of recovery and return to normal life is quite high. For this purpose, regular examinations of women from the risk group, preventive examinations are carried out, and special anti-cancer vaccination of the cervix is practiced.

What diseases does an oncologist-gynecologist treat?

An oncologist-gynecologist differentiates tumor processes into benign and malignant, occurring inside or outside the female genital area. In addition to diagnostics, the doctor is responsible for preventive measures to prevent cancerous conditions of the cervix and body of the uterus, ovaries, vulva, and vagina. An important task of an oncogynecologist is to recognize a malignant process at an early stage, which helps save the patient's life. Unfortunately, medical statistics are such that every fifth case of cancer of a woman's reproductive organs leads to death.

The specialist is responsible for precancerous and cancerous conditions of the ovaries, uterus (body and cervix), pathological processes in the mammary glands (mastopathy), as well as dysplasia/erosion of the cervix. Women with the following diseases fall under the supervision of an oncogynecologist:

• uterine fibroids;
• chronic inflammatory infections;
• endometriosis and chronic endometritis;
• cystic formations of the ovaries;
• dysfunctions of hormonal balance due to irregularities in the menstrual cycle;
• condylomas, papillomas, polyps.

Advice from an oncologist-gynecologist

The biggest problem of modern oncology is late patient referral. Very often, patients come to see a doctor already at stage III-IV of the disease. Doctors associate this, first of all, with women's inattention to their health and the absence of symptoms at the initial stages of the cancer process. Therefore, the advice of an oncologist-gynecologist extends to the need for routine examinations, at least 2 times a year, provided there are no complaints, and at least once every six months if alarming signals are detected. Patients with a genetic predisposition to cancer should undergo cytological examination and colposcopy.

Important attention is paid to healthy eating, moderate physical activity, not neglecting the rules of intimate hygiene, the absence of bad habits, stressful conditions and the presence of family harmony.

In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, the oncologist-gynecologist, together with the obstetrician-gynecologist, conducts educational work among adolescents on the subject of:

• unwanted/early pregnancy;
• methods of contraception;
• maintaining the health of the reproductive system;
• prevention of negative factors influencing the development of malignant tumor processes of the cervix.

The following are considered provocateurs of dysplasia and oncology of the cervix:

• tobacco and alcohol abuse;
• early entry into intimate relationships;
• frequent change of sexual partner;
• early onset of first pregnancy;
• infectious and inflammatory processes and venereal diseases;
• termination of pregnancy at a young age;
• long-term use of oral contraceptives.

An oncologist-gynecologist advises against self-medication of such common problems as "thrush" (vaginal candidiasis) and cervical erosion. In the case of "thrush", it is necessary to treat the entire body, and the therapy itself takes from 3 to 6 months. As for erosion, in its advanced stage, this pathology is considered a precancerous or cancerous condition.