Treatment of gynaecological cancers
The Gustave Roussy Gynaecology Committee is responsible for the management of patients with malignant disease or suspected malignancy affecting the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, peritoneum, uterine cervix or body (endometrium or myometrium – sarcomas), vagina and vulva.
Gustave Roussy has also developed skills in management of rare gynaecological tumours and trophoblastic disease as well as that of gynaecological cancer during pregnancy.
Multidisciplinary management
The Institute is responsible for diagnosis, if that is not already available, and for treatment of gynaecological cancer. Diagnosis is based on the history, clinical examination and histology. It remains necessary to perform investigations: blood tests, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, CT scan, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, colposcopy (examination of the cervix), diagnostic hysteroscopy and exploratory laparoscopy, etc. The need for these tests depends on the results of clinical examination, laboratory tests and the type of tumour suspected. To be sure of a diagnosis of a malignant lesion, it is essential to have histological confirmation.
Management involves doctors from various specialties: medical oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapist/oncologists, radiologists and pathologists, collaborating with private doctors not working at the Institute. A multidisciplinary opinion is obtained for any major decision. The attendance of the patient is sometimes required on the day when the multidisciplinary meeting (RCP) takes place. The advice of other RCPs (responsible for other, non-gynaecological tumours) may sometimes be sought. This could, for example, be the Thoracic Disease, Breast Diseases, Digestive Tract Diseases or Oncogenetics RCPs.
