Gynecologic Oncology

UF Health Gynecologic Oncology – Jacksonville provides diagnostic and patient care services to women with cancers occuring in the female reproductive organs. University of Florida gynecologic oncologists are part of a multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists at the UF Health Cancer Center, offering the latest, most comprehensive care for gynecologic cancers.

Gynecologic cancers are detected in various ways. Women often experience symptoms of abdominal pain or bloating, or abnormal vaginal bleeding that prompt them to seek medical attention. A suspicious finding may be noted in an examination or imaging study, such as a pelvic sonogram or computerized tomogram (CT), or a routine Pap smear may be abnormal. If an abnormality is noted, a tissue sample or biopsy must be obtained to determine if cancer is present. This can be done in the office or during a pelvic examination under anesthesia in an operating room.

The initial examination is most often done by an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. If more advanced cancer is diagnosed, the patient will usually be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further evaluation, treatment and follow-up care.

The seven main types of gynecologic cancer are:

• Cancers of the uterine corpus (endometrial cancer)
• Ovarian cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Placental cancer

Combined, this group of cancers is the fourth most common site of cancer in women after breast, lung and colon cancers.