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Focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies of the
female genital tract, the field of gynecologic oncology crosses
over several disciplines to coordinate care.
There are only about 500 American physicians who are board certified
in this obstetrics and gynecology subspecialty, including gynecologic
oncologist Thomas Hackett, D.O., of the Leon Hess Cancer Center.
Dr. Hackett is part of the center’s multidisciplinary team
of physicians, including gynecologists, surgeons, urologists and
medical oncologists, that provides care to women with cancers of
the genital system, including ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer and
uterine cancer (endometrial and cervical). Additional information
on the different types of gynecological cancer is available from
the National Cancer
Institute, National
Comprehensive Cancer Network and American
Cancer Society.
It is extremely vital that women with cancer of the reproductive
tract be accurately diagnosed and appropriately managed for the
duration of their illness in order to help ensure the most optimal
level of health after recovery.
In addition, since ovarian and endometrial cancers may be related
to genetic factors, the Leon Hess Cancer Center offers a High
Risk Cancer Assessment Program that is designed to evaluate,
educate and closely monitor individuals who are at high risk for
developing cancer. Created for individuals and families who are
concerned about their risk of developing cancer due to their medical
and family history, environmental factors and lifestyle choices,
its main goal is to educate and provide cancer screening and prevention
recommendations for individuals at high risk for developing the
disease.
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation
therapy are the most-effective treatment methods for gynecological
cancers. Advances in radiation treatment such as high-dose rate
(HDR) brachytherapy are dramatically improving the outcomes of
endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer. In 1995, Monmouth Medical
Center became the first hospital in the region to offer HDR brachytherapy,
which takes only minutes to deliver a high dose of radiation
to the targeted area and dramatically cuts a woman’s length-of-stay
from several days to several hours.
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