Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancer is a term that covers all types of cancer in the female reproductive system. This includes cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer (often called endometrial cancer), vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer. More than 1,100 women a year entrust their gynecologic cancer care to the multi-disciplinary team at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

At Hollings, our gynecologic cancer team is led by gynecologic oncologists. These specialists are doctors who trained for four years as OB/GYNs and then pursued additional training to focus on cancer diagnosis and treatment. In addition to these specialists, our team includes radiation oncologists, gynecologic pathologists, advanced practice nurses who focus on women’s cancers, a nurse navigator dedicated to gynecologic cancer patients, social workers, a dietitian focused on cancer patients’ unique needs, psychological support services and more. Our primary concern is ensuring you are treated with compassion and thoroughness.

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Cervical Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Uterine Cancer

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Vulvar & Vaginal Cancer

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In good hands

You know you're in good hands at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Here, you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment, including clinical trials, advanced surgical techniques, support services and survivorship planning. You can rest easy knowing we hold national rankings for cancer care and take a leadership role in cancer research and prevention.

The Hollings difference

Gynecologic cancer treatment

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At Hollings, our gynecologic cancer specialists understand that your situation is unique and that you deserve a specially tailored plan based on your needs.

Our treatment options include:

Minimally invasive surgery

Our team is trained in the use of laparoscopic surgery and the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot that helps to increase surgical precision. These techniques are used for:

Early pelvic mass evaluations.
Staging and treatment for early endometrial, ovarian and cervical cancer.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic lymph node assessment.

If surgery will be a part of your treatment plan, check out our Gynecology Oncology Surgery Guide to get a better understanding of what to expect and how to prepare.

Radiation therapy

Specialized radiation oncology services to target therapy and decrease side effects.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in addition to traditional external beam radiation.
Vaginal brachytherapy for treatment of endometrial cancers.

Gynecologic cancer clinical trials

As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, we firmly believe that clinical trials are an important part of cancer care. Clinical trials show us whether new treatments work better than existing treatments. That’s important for future patients. But clinical trials are also important for current patients, because they offer the possibility of early access to new therapies or protocols that could become the standard-of-care in the future.

We offer a variety of gynecologic cancer clinical trials, including trials developed by researchers here at Hollings, industry trials and trials organized by other cancer centers. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current gynecologic cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer clinical trials.

Hollings is also a partner in the GOG Foundation, a collaborative network of more than 400 sites across the country doing gynecologic cancer clinical and translational research, and a member of NRG Oncology, a cooperative group that organizes multi-institution cancer clinical trials. Through membership in these groups, Hollings is able to offer more diverse clinical trials. Ask your doctor if there is a clinical trial that fits your individual needs.

Refer a gynecologic cancer patient

To refer a gynecologic cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinators Ulani DeCillis (843-985-0579) or Morgan Krohn (843-985-0580). If you are a referring provider, please submit our GYN Oncology Referral Form.

Nurse navigator support

You and your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each option and decide on the best course of treatment for you. Our gynecologic cancer nurse navigator, Lorri Bennett, RN, MSN, CCRC, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Screenings

More than 14,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cervical cancer — but it is one of the types of cancer that can be prevented with the HPV vaccine, which is available at Hollings. We also offer you options for early diagnosis and staging of all types of gynecologic cancers, including:

Human papillomavirus testing in addition to Pap smear.
Colposcopic assessment for cervical pre-invasive and invasive disease.
Same-day in-clinic fine needle aspiration as indicated.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT Scan) as indicated.
Interventional radiology for image-guided biopsy.
Robotic surgery.

Gynecologic Cancer Research

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Our team of researchers and doctors are making new discoveries of more targeted and effective treatment for gynecologic cancer. Areas our researchers are focusing on include:

Developing a model of ovarian cancer so researchers can better understand how this cancer develops.
Studying the increasing cervical cancer incidence and death rates in low-income areas and what can be done to start reversing these health disparities.
Identifying a possible genetic culprit for uterine corpus endometrial cancer.
Investigating the genetic cause of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

In addition, Hollings’ Gynecologic Oncology Transdisciplinary Cancer Team brings together expertise from different disciplines in basic and clinical research to collaborate on ongoing gynecologic cancer research.

Our experienced gynecologic cancer care team will complete a thorough review of your cancer and create a personalized treatment plan.

Meet the team

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Support from start to finish

Suite: 306

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Directions

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

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Hollings Cancer Center Orangeburg

1161 Cook Road

Orangeburg, SC 29118

Directions

Main: 803-395-4600

Fax: 803-395-4399

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“ Dr. Harold was absolutely amazing. My husband and I cannot say enough about him. Just from the first time that I met with him, he calmed my nerves, and he explained everything, all the possible scenarios. And he gave me hope. ”

Debra Morin, uterine cancer survivor
Debra's story

“ The one thing that Dr. Orr said that stuck out to me the most was he wanted to keep me on a curative path. It was the best thing he could have said to me because it gave me that hope right off the bat that he's got me. ”

Carol Sullivan, ovarian cancer survivor
Carol's story

“ My doctors gave me options and involved me in the decision-making, which meant a lot to me. I felt comfortable at Hollings and really trusted everyone who was caring for me. ”

Mikiko Dollard, cervical cancer survivor
Mikiko's story

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Cervical Cancer Screening

When caught early, cervical cancer is usually curable. Learn about cervical cancer screening and risk factors.

HPV Vaccination

The best way to prevent cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer is the HPV vaccine, a safe and effective protection against six cancers in all.

Patient Resources

Hollings offers physical, emotional and financial resources to support you and your caregivers during treatment and beyond.

Common questions about gynecologic cancer

Your doctor can answer questions specific to your care, but we have compiled a list of some of the most common questions for your reference below.

What is the difference between gynecologic oncology and OB GYN?

All gynecologic oncologists have first trained as obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) during a four-year residency program. After residency, they get additional training in gynecologic cancers. At MUSC, our gynecologic oncology fellows spend 12 months on a research project and 24 months on clinical care. This specialized training means that gynecologic oncologists have expertise in the female reproductive system as well as insight into the emotions that a reproductive system cancer can provoke.

Why have I been referred to gynecologic oncology?

Your primary care doctor or gynecologist may have referred you because a biopsy confirmed cancer. Or, your doctor may have referred you because the diagnosis isn’t clear and a specialist is needed to determine your exact diagnosis. If you have questions, ask your referring doctor or your gynecologic oncologist.

When should you see a gynecologic oncologist?

We recommend that anyone with a gynecologic cancer be treated by a gynecologic oncologist. These specialists have expertise in the female reproductive system and cancer. They perform surgery and oversee medical treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

What is the most common gynecologic cancer?

The most common gynecologic cancer is uterine cancer – specifically, endometrial cancer, or cancer of the lining of the uterus. It is also one of the top 10 most common cancers overall. The rates of new cases of endometrial cancer and of deaths from endometrial cancer have been steadily increasing.

Latest gynecologic cancer news

Uterine cancer patient Lakisha Pack smiles at the camera in a garden setting

Uterine Cancer Survivor

Diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer at only 46, Lakisha Mack turned to faith, her family and her doctors.

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About Cervical Cancer

Discover the importance of cervical cancer screening & prevention from Dr. Taylor Orellana at MUSC Health. Learn about symptoms, treatments & HPV vaccination.