A gynecologic oncologist is medical sub-specialty dedicated to providing comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs. After completing a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncologists must complete an additional three-to-four-year fellowship specializing in precancerous and cancerous conditions of the gynecologic tract. These specialists learn the pathology and biology of reproductive tract cancers along with the skills necessary to provide treatment through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and pharmacology. This will benefit gynecologic cancer patients in that they can be diagnosed and treated by a single physician rather than fracturing their care among several specialists. Over the past two decades, research has shown that referral to a gynecologic oncologist remains one of the top factors in increasing ovarian cancer survival rates, as well as decreasing rates of recurrence.

For women suspected of having ovarian cancer, the goal of the surgery is to definitively stage the disease to identify the optimal treatment for the cancer, and remove as much of the tumor as possible. This is also known as “cytoreductive” surgery or debulking. Proper staging and optimal debulking translate into improved overall survival for women with any stage of ovarian cancer. Studies conducted over the past decade indicated that when the surgery is performed by a gynecologic oncologist, the surgical staging is more often complete than when performed by other surgeons. Gynecologic oncologists are more likely to perform the multiple peritoneal and lymph node biopsies necessary to ensure adequate surgical staging. Research indicates that gynecologic oncologists are more likely to optimally debulk ovarian tumors than their non-specialist counterparts are. In fact, other surgeons may leave women with a greater likelihood of having residual disease of greater than one centimeter after the operation. Women whose tumors have been reduced to less than one centimeter have been shown to have a better response to chemotherapy and improved survival rate.

According to recent studies, less than half of women with ovarian cancer are treated by gynecologic oncologists. Patients under 40 years of age, over 70 years of age or living in rural areas are less likely to receive care from a specialist

The Women’s Cancer Network has a feature on its Web site (www.wcn.org) where you can search for gynecologic oncologists by ZIP code by selecting “Find a Doctor.” You can also call (800) 444-4441. This service will identify your nearest gynecologic oncologist.

Multiple studies conducted over the past decade have shown that survival is markedly improved when surgery is performed by a gynecological oncologist. One analysis, which looked at multiple studies, found that women whose surgery was performed by a gynecologic oncologist had a 60 percent higher survival rate than women who were seen by a gynecologist or oncologist. The improved survival of women whose surgeries are performed by gynecologic oncologists is a result of their tendency to perform more aggressive surgical techniques that in turn realize better outcomes.