Gynaecologic cancers are any type of cancer that develops in women’s reproductive organs and include:
Koç Healthcare understands the fears and possible difficulties following the diagnosis of cancer. Our treatment process combines medical professionalism with compassion for women’s health.
Our gynaecologic oncology team has multiple specialists practicing in collaboration with gynaecological pathology, radiology, radiation oncology specialists. Our gynaecological oncology nurse follows your care with close attention and helps you answers your questions via guiding you through on any concerns or obstacles. Our patient navigator and team psychologists who are specialized in cancer care help you through this difficult time.
Koç Healthcare multidisciplinary gynaecologic oncology team collaborates to provide an accurate diagnosis, breakthrough surgical techniques, and advanced chemotherapy & targeted therapy.
HPV Related Conditions:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The infection is acquired through direct skin-to-skin contact.
HPV infects the skin and the epithelium that forms the inner lining structure of organs such as cervix, vagina, mouth, and throat. It is associated with common and genital warts, as well as multiple cancer types such as: Cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, cancers of the throat and upper respiratory system.
Although there are more than 40 types of HPV viruses, most cancers are related to certain high-risk HPV types like type 16, 18, 31, and 35. Quadrivalent HPV vaccine provides prevention against HPV related disease including both warts and HPV related cancers.
There are 2 types of screening for preventing cervical cancer:
Pap smear: We screen our patients routinely for cervical cancer starting at age 21 to rule out any HPV related changes in the lining of the cervix for preventing future cervical cancer. We create the best treatment plan for our patients if they have any precancerous changes or cancer.
HPV test: At Koç Healthcare, we are able to determine the specific types of HPV virus after obtaining a sample from the cervix, we use the most advanced machines in our lab for determining the DNA type which is the specific genetic structure of the virus.
Laparoscopic and Robotic Cancer Surgery:
At Koç Healthcare Women’s Health Center, our skillful Gynaecological Oncologists use minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery for the treatment of ovarian and cervical cancers. Some benefits of the minimally invasive surgery include: less pain after the operation, smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery, decreased scarring, and lower risk of infection.
Laparoscopic surgery is also known as “key-hole” surgery where the abdomen is entered through tiny incisions without opening the skin. The operation is performed after passing a camera and operating instruments through the tiny incisions.
This advanced method provides surgeon more precise control and better visualization during the operation.
4 robotic arms and 1 camera are entered to the abdomen through small incisions, and the surgeon controls the advanced robotic consoles. Robotic arms make very precise movements allowing the surgeon to control it as if they were controlling actual human hand movements.
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Chemotherapy:
Cytoreductive surgery, also known as debulking and heated chemotherapy are used at Koç Healthcare to provide the most effective therapy for advanced stage gynaecologic cancers.
This combination method is used for some gynaecological cancers especially ovarian cancer as well as some gastrointestinal system malignancies. The treatment modality is comprised of two-steps:
1. Cytoreductive Surgery: Surgically removing any tumor mass that is visible to the naked eye.
2. Hyperthermic Chemotherapy: Accessing the possibly remaining tumor mass with highly concentrated and heated chemotherapy agents.
Koç Healthcare understands that each patient is different in terms of the extent and character of their disease, and will benefit differently from this advanced treatment. We evaluate our patients individually for any potential side effects of the treatment and determine the best treatment plan for our patients with advanced malignant disease.