Gynecology Care | UW Medicine (2024)

Any cancer that begins in a woman's reproductive system is gynecologic cancer. The most common types are cervical, ovarian, uterine, vagin*l and vulvar. Regardless of the type you have, you can count on our team of gynecologic cancer experts to find the best treatment approach for you.

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Preparing for surgery

There are certain things you will need to do before surgery. These preparations depend on the type of surgery and the type of anesthesia you will receive. Your doctor or surgeon will discuss these preparations with you before the procedure.

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Surgery day

On the day of surgery, you will check in and be taken to the pre-surgical area. Afterward you will be taken into the operating room. You will be given an IV line for providing medications or general anesthesia, if necessary, and the anesthesiologist will review your medical history with you.

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After surgery

Many patients feel fatigued after surgery. Recovery takes time, so make sure to get plenty of rest and listen to your body. The type of surgery you had dictates the amount of time you’ll need to resume your normal activities. It’s important to follow post-operative instructions to aid your recovery.

We have the most advanced da Vinci robotic systems in the Puget Sound area. Compared to open abdominal surgery, the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include:

• Shorter operative time and hospital stay
• Less bleeding
• Less postoperative pain
• Fewer wound complications, such as infection
• Improved cosmetic results
• Faster return to normal activities

The gynecologic oncologists at UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center specialize in treating women’s cancers with surgery, radiation and cancer-fighting medications. Our cancer care physicians are experts in all treatment modalities including hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted biologic treatments. If chemotherapy is part of your treatment plan, the type and delivery of medication will depend on the type and stage of cancer being treated. It may be delivered orally or by infusion directly into your bloodstream or abdomen.

UW Medicine has comfortable, specially designed infusion suites staffed with expert chemotherapy-certified nurses and gynecologic oncologists.

A minimally invasive procedure that typically takes less than an hour to complete. A hysteroscopy involves inserting a small, tube-enclosed camera into the uterus to view the uterine cavity and cervical canal. Thin instruments can be passed through the tube allowing the physician to diagnose and treat conditions of the uterus.

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A surgical approach in which a doctor inserts a thin, tube-enclosed camera through a series of small, thin incisions to view and manipulate a patient’s internal organs. Laparoscopy is a low risk treatment that offers a quick recovery.

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The da VinciSurgical System provides surgeons withan advanced set of instruments to use in performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

The term "robotic" can be confusing, but it's important to note that robots do not perform surgery. Instead, the daVinci system translates a surgeon’s hand movements via an instrument consolein real time, enablingsurgeons to operate in great detailthrough one or a few small incisions.

Contrasted with other forms of surgery, the da Vincisystem reduces operation time and hospital stay;shortens postoperative recovery times;lessens the likelihood of complications and infections; provides improvedcosmetic results; and allows for a faster return to normal activities.

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This procedure removes tissue from the cervix to test for precancerous or cancerous cells. A cervical biopsy may be done when abnormalities are found during a pelvic exam, when abnormal cells are found during a Pap test or when a test is positive for human papillomavirus (HPV).

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During this procedure, a small tissue sample is taken from the uterus (endometrium) to look for abnormal cells. A uterine or endometrial biopsy is typically done when there is abnormal bleeding before or after menopause. The biopsy can show cell changes related to hormone levels or unusual tissue such as fibroids or polyps that can lead to abnormal bleeding.

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After an abnormal Pap smear result, a colposcopy is often performed to detect signs of disease. Performed in the clinic, this procedure allows close evaluation of the vagin* and cervix to help determine whether any areas appear abnormal and should be biopsied for further study.

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Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is used to diagnose and treat abnormal or cancerous conditions in a woman’s lower genital tract, including the cervix and vagin*. LEEP removes cells and tissue for testing, and the removal of abnormal cells allows for growth of healthy tissue. A LEEP may be done in the office or at the hospital, depending on your condition and your provider’s preferences.

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