Experts in Gynecologic Cancer Care
If you have gynecologic cancer, your outcomes are likely to be better if a gynecologic oncologist treats you from the beginning. Fred Hutch Cancer Center has more gynecologic oncologists than any other medical center or clinic in the Pacific Northwest. We treat all types of gynecologic cancer — including cervical, endometrial, ovarian and vulvar cancers; uterine sarcoma; and gestational trophoblastic disease.
Your Fred Hutch gynecologic oncologist and pathologist specialize in finding out the stage and specific features of your disease. They will design a custom treatment plan to get the best possible outcome for you. We integrate supportive care services into your cancer treatment.
Gynecologic Cancer Care Tailored to Your Stage
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services. Referrals are required for new patients. Please request your primary care provider or specialist fax all relevant medical information to the fax number listed below.
Phone: 206.598.8300
Fax: 206.598.3590
What is gynecologic cancer?
Gynecologic cancers are those that affect female genital or reproductive organs. Usually, these are internal organs, like the uterus or ovaries. Less often, cancer can affect the external genitals, or vulva.
Types of Gynecologic Cancer
At Fred Hutch, our physicians treat all types of gynecologic cancer as well as gestational trophoblastic disease.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) includes several types of tumors that can form during or shortly after pregnancy. Most of these tumors are not cancer, but some are. These rare tumors develop in the cells (trophoblasts) that form part of the placenta. GTD is highly treatable, and most women with the disease will be cured.
GTD can happen from a full-term pregnancy or from a miscarriage, abortion or tubal ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus in the fallopian tube). If you are of reproductive age (typically defined as age 15 to your mid-to-late 40s) and you have metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin (there’s no clear answer about where it started), it’s important to have a pregnancy test. The test will check your level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone increases during pregnancy or when a person has GTD.
There are several types of GTD.
Where You Are Treated Matters
Coming to Fred Hutch after a gynecologic cancer diagnosis means you are now at the center of one of the most experienced, research-driven, comprehensive cancer care centers in the country.
Our gynecologic cancer experts provide all standard therapies for these diseases. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery. Our physicians and researchers also do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these trials, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Screening and Diagnosis
There are two tests used to screen for cervical cancer: the Pap test (also called a Pap smear) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test. There is currently no screening tests for other gynecologic cancers to identify precancerous symptoms or early-stage cancer but researchers are always studying new ways to help with cancer prevention and screening, including early detection methods.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Gynecologic Cancer Care
At Fred Hutch we combine compassionate care with innovative research to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. We’re driven by the urgency of our patients, the hope of our community and our passion for discovery to pursue scientific breakthroughs and healthier lives for every person.
Your gynecologist or primary care provider is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns about your risk for getting cancer. They can tell you about screening tests and help with any symptoms that might be from cancer or another condition. Before you visit your provider, write down your questions. Bring the list to your appointment.
If you’re concerned about risk, here are some questions you may want to ask:
- Do I have any risk factors for cancer?
- Is there any reason to think I’m at higher risk than the average person?
- If I am at higher risk, what does this mean for me?
- Do I need any tests or procedures to check for cancer even if I feel fine?
- Is there anything I can do to lower my risk?
Ask your gynecologist or primary care provider to help you understand the best cancer screening plan for you.
- Are any cancer screening tests recommended for me?
- Do I have more than one screening option?
- If so, which type of screening should I have?
- How often should I have the test?
- At what age should I stop having it?
- What is the purpose of the test? What will the results tell us?
If you have symptoms that concern you, here are some questions to ask:
- What could be causing my symptoms?
- Do these symptoms mean I might have a serious condition?
- How can we find out the cause?
- Do I need any tests?
- What should I do if my symptoms don’t get better or if I get new symptoms?
Gynecologic cancer starts when cells in one of the genital or reproductive organs grow out of control. Normally, cells in the body grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells get old or damaged, they die and are replaced. Sometimes, this normal process breaks down. Abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t, forming tumors. Some tumors are cancer, and others are benign (noncancerous).
Cancer spreads by growing into, or invading, nearby tissues. If the cancer cells invade nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels, they can travel through the lymph or blood to distant parts in the body. Then they can form new tumors in these places.
The Fred Hutch patient and family education team works with other Fred Hutch experts to create reliable resources and select materials from trusted cancer organizations. Find a resource.
