Chemotherapy – Gynecologic Cancer Treatment in South Florida
Chemotherapy, also known as chemo, refers to the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. It one of the most powerful weapons we have as gynecologist oncologists in the fight to cure or control gynecologic cancers. Sometimes we use chemo by itself; other times we use it following gynecologic cancer surgery or in combination with radiation. Your chemotherapy protocol will be coordinated by your own gynecologist oncologist who has extensive training in administering and managing both your surgical and oncology options.
Our physicians choose the chemo protocol. You choose the location.
Our patients have the unique advantage of choosing to have their chemo administered in the hospital or enjoy access to our inhouse intimate chemo suite, a room set aside specifically to provide a safe, comfortable and private experience just for a small group of our patients. With a fulltime nurse monitoring the infusions and providing pillows, blankets and emotional support and celebrating your final chemo treatment and our trained medical personnel onsite, patients feel confident and secure. And that confidence and security goes a long way on your cancer journey.
You will also have the choice of locations for your lab work. Most of our patients prefer having their labs drawn in our office where we can use the chemo port to monitor your progress. Alternatively, we can provide you with a prescription for the lab of your choice.
What are the side effects of gynecologic oncology chemotherapy?
Every chemo treatment is different and individual side effects may vary. Your reaction will depend on the type of cancer, the location of the cancer, the drugs selected for your treatment and you your general physical health. Keep in mind that most of the side effects are temporary and disappear once your treatment is complete.
The most common side effect is fatigue though other possible reactions include:
- Bruising and bleeding
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness in your fingers or toes
Before your start your chemo, you will have the opportunity to meet with our dedicated chemo nurse. She will explain the routine as well as which side effects are more common to which chemo. As an experienced professional, she is aware of what can be done to mitigate those side effects and she will work together with you to effectively control the symptoms throughout your treatment.
All chemotherapy is not the same.
Chemotherapy is used in the treatment of gynecologic cancers to either destroy your cancer permanently, control the cancer and keep it from growing and spreading and/or improve your quality of life. Your chemo protocol will be specific to the type of cancer you have and the goal of your well-trained gynecologist oncologist in prescribing that protocol.
At The Center for Gynecologic Oncology, we administer chemotherapy in three different ways depending on the type and stage of the cancer:
Oral Chemotherapy
Some chemotherapy protocols are given in pill or capsule form which means you can take conveniently self-administer the medication without coming to the office except for follow up and lab visits.
Intravenous Chemotherapy
Some patients will have their chemo administered intravenously. Intravenous chemotherapy involves administering one anti-cancer drug or a combination directly through a vein in your arm, a port or opening in your chest or a (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) PICC line.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Using a port in your abdomen, a concentrated dose of drugs is administered through a tube directly to the site of the cancer.
Chemotherapy is one of our specialties.
The physicians at The Center for Gynecologic Oncology specialize in the treatment of gynecologic cancers using chemotherapy. Our team works closely with each patient to create an individualized plan, providing you with the most up-to-date treatments and best possible outcomes.
Explore your chemotherapy options with us. To schedule an appointment today, or for more information about our clinical trials, please call 954.602.9723.
