Gynecologic Oncology
State-of-the-Art Care Close to Home
We provide top level prevention and treatment services for all gynecologic cancers and other complex conditions involving the female reproductive system.
We are committed to providing excellent care to a diverse group of patients, treating the whole patient throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. We provide each patient with the physical and emotional support they need every step of the way.
We are staffed by experienced gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. A care team may also include specialists in medical oncology, urologic oncology, and plastic surgery. Our nurse navigator serves as an anchor for patients and their caregivers, helping coordinate testing and referrals.
Working jointly, we individualize care for each of our patients using the most recent technologies and techniques including:
- Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for cancer or complex gynecologic conditions using both laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive procedures
- Chemotherapy, biologic therapies, and immunotherapies specifically targeted to each type of cancer
- Intensity modulated external beam radiation therapy
Care Throughout the Capital Region
We offer services through Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital.
All locations and providers can be found in the Get Care section of this page.
Types of Cancer We Treat
We specialize in treating cancers of the female reproductive tract and other complex gynecologic conditions.
More than 70,000 women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year in the United States. We perform comprehensive care for common and rare gynecologic malignancies and other complex gynecologic conditions.
Cancer of the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Our specialists have extensive expertise in the management of uterine cancers.
Endometrial cancer is a condition in which there is abnormal growth in the cells of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). This is different than abnormal growth in the muscle of the uterus, which is called uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancers are often curable when they are caught early.
Symptoms of endometrial cancer are often non-specific and overlap with symptoms caused by other conditions.
Symptoms include:
- Changes in how often you have a period or how much you bleed during your period
- Any bleeding that occurs after one year with no periods (bleeding after menopause)
- Pain or bleeding with intercourse
- Feeling of a growth or mass in the pelvic area
- Pelvic Pain
Treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Total hysterectomy - Removal of uterus and cervix
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - Removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy or pelvic/peri-aortic lymph node dissection - Removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Hormone Therapy
Sometimes, cells in the cervix can become abnormal. This is usually due to a virus called human papilloma virus or HPV. Often, these abnormal cells are picked up by a pap smear before they ever become a cancer. If the cells are not treated, they can become a cancer in the cervix.
Symptoms of cervical cancer symptoms are often not specific.
Symptoms include:
- Changes in how often you have a period or bleeding in between your periods
- Bleeding that occurs after intercourse
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Difficulty urinating or moving your bowels
- Pelvic pain
- Pain in the middle of your back, below your ribs on one or both sides
Treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radical hysterectomy - Removal of uterus, cervix and tissue surrounding the cervix
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy or pelvic/peri-aortic lymph node dissection - Removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen
- Radical trachelectomy - Fertility sparing surgical techniques
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
There are many different types of ovarian cancer. Most ovarian cancers involve the cells in the lining of the ovary called epithelial cells. Sometimes these types of ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tube or in the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum). Other times ovarian tumors can start in the egg cells themselves (germ cell tumors) or in the hormone producing cells (stromal tumors).
We tailor treatment based on your type of ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often not specific.
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Swelling or growing of the abdomen
- Constipation
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Difficulty urinating or moving your bowels
- Pelvic pain
Treatment options include:
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Total hysterectomy - Removal of uterus, cervix
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - Removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries
- Pelvic/peri-aortic lymph node dissection - Removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen
- Omentectomy - Removal of an apron of fat that overlies the abdominal organs
- Tumor debulking - Removal of any visible implants of tumor through the abdomen and pelvis
The cells of the vulva and vagina can become abnormal due to infection with a virus called HPV. Other times changes in the vulvar skin can cause precancerous and cancerous changes. While vulvar and vaginal cancers are less common, our doctors have expertise in the management of these cancers.
Symptoms of vulvar and vaginal cancer are often not specific.
Symptoms include:
- Itching of the vulva
- Changes in the texture or color of the vulvar or vaginal skin
- Bleeding that occurs with wiping or with intercourse
- A bump or mass on the vulva or in the vagina
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Difficulty urinating or moving your bowels
- Pelvic pain
Treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radical vulvectomy - Removal of vulva
- Vaginectomy - Removal of portions of the vagina
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy or inguinal lymph node dissection - Removal of lymph nodes in the groin
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
