MSK surgeons are highly skilled at treating even the most difficult gynecologic cancers.
In its 2019–2020 listing of the nation’s best hospitals, U.S. News & World Report ranks Memorial Sloan Kettering as number one for gynecology. This recognition of excellence reflects the dedication and expertise MSK brings to people with cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer, including pioneering many advances that today are the standard of care. Find out why MSK stands out at improving outcomes and preserving quality of life for people with gynecologic cancers.
1. Highly-Skilled Surgeons and Oncologists Who Specialize Exclusively in Gynecologic Cancers
Surgeons Mario Leitao (left) and Nadeem Abu-Rustum have vast experience in treating people using minimally invasive methods.
MSK has a team of about 50 highly specialized doctors dedicated solely to the treatment of gynecologic cancers. This includes surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists who collaborate closely. “We meet every week to consult on the details of every complex diagnosis and to decide on the best treatment,” says Nadeem Abu-Rustum, Chief of the Gynecology Service.
Doctors at MSK perform among the largest number of gynecologic cancer procedures in the world, making us the best at treating even the most difficult cases. For example, MSK’s ovarian cancer surgery team is the first in the nation that’s dedicated to managing advanced ovarian cancer. This group specializes in removing advanced disease that has spread beyond the ovaries. The team is especially skilled in radical debulking surgery. In this procedure, doctors remove as much tumor tissue as possible to boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy in reaching and destroying ovarian cancer.
“Ninety percent of women with advanced ovarian cancer at MSK are optimally debulked. This means that the amount of tumor remaining after the procedure is very small — less than 1 centimeter in diameter,” Dr. Abu-Rustum explains. “More important, 70% have all visible tumor removed. Studies at MSK and around the world show that removing this volume of cancer tissue has led to improved survival for patients.”
Back to top2. Methods for Speeding Recovery and Preserving Quality of Life
MSK pioneered a way to reduce the number of lymph nodes removed during surgery for early-stage cervical and endometrial cancers. Rather than taking out a large number of lymph nodes to make sure that the cancer has not spread, doctors use a technique called sentinel lymph node mapping. The approach removes fewer nodes and greatly reduces the risk of leg lymphedema. This common, often debilitating side effect involves swelling and skin changes. Sentinel lymph node mapping “has been rigorously studied. It has been shown that there is no difference in survival between the historical surgical approach and sentinel node mapping,” Dr. Abu-Rustum says. “It is a huge benefit if more women can be spared unnecessary lymph node removal and the resulting side effects.”
In addition, MSK surgeons often use minimally invasive methods, such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which involve keyhole-size incisions, resulting in less pain and blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery. Surgeons now do many procedures at the Josie Robertson Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art facility for short-stay cancer surgery. Patients return home to complete their recovery as soon as possible — either the same day or the next.
Back to top3. Access to a Range of Clinical Trials and New Treatments
MSK medical oncologists, such as Claire Friedman, are leading a range of clinical trials testing immunotherapy for gynecologic cancers.
Clinical trials can offer people with gynecologic cancers access to treatments that are not widely available elsewhere. Currently, MSK is conducting 35 clinical trials for women with gynecologic cancers, testing new drugs and drug combinations, surgical approaches, and strategies for preserving quality of life during and after treatment. One especially active field is immunotherapy. MSK scientists and doctors played a leading role in developing immunotherapies that have transformed the treatment of melanoma, lung cancer, and other cancers. Now this therapeutic approach is giving new hope to people with gynecologic cancers.
The ovarian cancer team is also running clinical trials on the use of heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC) for certain people with advanced ovarian cancer. In HIPEC, heated chemotherapy is given directly in the belly at the end of surgery.
In addition, MSK researchers are at the forefront of research that could soon impact gynecologic cancer care. This includes investigating whether many ovarian cancers start developing in the fallopian tubes and whether removal of those tubes could prevent the disease. Other researchers are looking for ways to understand and treat lymphedema. MSK is the only cancer center with a dedicated lymphedema laboratory focused on understanding and treating this debilitating condition.
Back to top4. Genetic Testing to Guide Treatment and Assess Risk
Many of MSK’s recent gynecology patients have benefited from a powerful diagnostic test called MSK-IMPACT™. This test provides essential genetic information about a tumor that doctors can use when making a diagnosis and considering treatment options. In some cases, the test results may identify women who are candidates for a clinical trial. With MSK-IMPACT, MSK doctors can offer the best treatment for each person.
The Clinical Genetics Service guides people who may be at a higher risk for a gynecologic cancer due to inherited genetic mutations, such as the BRCA mutations. This includes risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing.
Back to top5. Programs to Preserve Fertility and Sexual Health
MSK’s Survivorship Center offers an array of services to help preserve fertility and sexual health in women undergoing treatments for gynecologic cancers. And MSK surgeons have pioneered ways to remove cervical tumors while retaining the uterus, so women preserve the option to have children later. The surgical team has done more than 200 such operations, called radical trachelectomy, and many of these women later had children. “The success rate with this approach is very high. MSK is now a referral center for young women with uterine cancer who want to maintain their fertility,” Dr. Abu-Rustum says.
Back to topComments
Florinda Avelenda
Jul 30, 2019 • 5:54 PM
Lisa
Jul 30, 2019 • 10:30 PM
Anonymous
Jul 30, 2019 • 11:22 PM
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate the invaluable contributions of MSK’s pathologists in providing outstanding patient care. The story was only meant to touch on a few factors that made MSK #1 in gynecololgy. That’s why some specialists (pathologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists) are acknowledged in the first item but not discussed in more detail. We decided to focus on a few treatment approaches that we thought our readers would be interested to learn more about.
Howard Pollack
Jul 31, 2019 • 9:21 PM
Alyssa Pollack
Jul 31, 2019 • 9:25 PM
Anonymous
Aug 4, 2019 • 8:20 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 6, 2019 • 11:48 AM
In reply to Pity there is no mention of… by Anonymous
Rochelle Spector
Aug 5, 2019 • 8:52 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 5, 2019 • 9:20 AM
In reply to Dr. Abu Rustum is the best… by Rochelle Spector
Gayle Maurin
Aug 16, 2019 • 10:21 AM
Marcia Budd
Aug 16, 2019 • 10:55 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 17, 2019 • 9:51 AM
In reply to Dr. Abu Ruston saves my life… by Marcia Budd
Lisa Granucci
Aug 16, 2019 • 11:10 AM
Anonymus
Aug 16, 2019 • 3:24 PM
Every day I thank the team of caring doctors, nurses, technicians and administrative staff for making my surgery, treatment, recovery and subsequent after care a tolerable experience in a very scary and stressful environment. The effort given to be kind, compassionate, concerned and patient is unbelievable. Thank you all for saving my life.
Rebecca Murry
Aug 17, 2019 • 3:38 PM
Dr. Yukio Sonoda did a fantastic job performing the da Vinci robotic total hysterectomy on me - he removed my Fico Grade 1A endometrial tumor and I went home the same day as the surgery. Nurse Alex Wagner was always there to support me as well as Dr. Sonoda’s amazing surgical team! It has been a year now and I continue to be grateful and appreciative of the support and health care MSK has provided. Thanks so much!
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 18, 2019 • 9:54 PM
In reply to Dr. Yukio Sonoda did a… by Rebecca Murry
Betsaida Alcantara
Aug 20, 2019 • 5:15 PM
Dr. Carol Aghajanian is a brilliant and kind oncologist. It has been a true pleasure to be treated by her. I feel completely secure under her care as not only is she an expert in her field, she also listens to her patients and treats them as individuals. MSK is lucky to have such an outstanding professional and human being leading their gynecologic treatments and research.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 21, 2019 • 8:26 AM
In reply to Dr. Carol Aghajanian is a… by Betsaida Alcantara
Sandra Rosenberg
Aug 20, 2019 • 5:31 PM
It’s been seven years since Dr. Sonoda performed a total hysterectomy on me and found stage two fallopian cancer. I will be forever grateful for his surgical and professional expertise and for the care that I’ve received from MSK’s team of highly trained nurses, doctors, genealogists and nutritionists over the years at MSK. I am a strong advocate of Cycle for Survival and their commitment to research. Thank you MSK for saving my life and allowing me to enjoy my four beautiful grandchildren.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 21, 2019 • 8:27 AM
In reply to It’s been seven years since… by Sandra Rosenberg
Karhausen Lucien
Aug 22, 2019 • 8:42 AM
Anonymous
Sep 2, 2019 • 11:21 AM
Daphne Gregory-Thomas
Sep 2, 2019 • 8:36 PM
Thank you,Dr. Abu-Rustum, and your entire team for using these ground breaking methods and advanced procedures to save my life. Thank you to the pathologists, nurses, phlebotomists, and to my entire medical team ( including Dr. Sandhu and the amazing Dr. Cadoo) who , along with Dr. Abu Rustum, keep a watchful eye on me for every step of this journey. I am so fortunate to be a patient at this fine hospital, because there’s no place like Sloan!
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Sep 3, 2019 • 9:32 AM
In reply to Thank you,Dr. Abu-Rustum,… by Daphne Gregory-Thomas
Lourdes Ramos Rios
Sep 3, 2019 • 12:01 AM
I am so grateful to MSK surgeons, oncologists, nurses and the staff at the chemo suite. I had a complete hysterectomy and chemo seven years ago, due to ovarian cancer. Two years later, I had a second surgery and chemo. Everyday I am grateful to Dr. Barakat, my first surgeon, Dr. Oliver Zivanovich, my second surgeon, and my oncologist Dr. Rachel Grisham. Their care goes beyond expectations. Their compassion and genuine care has helped me to look into the future with optimism. God bless them always.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Sep 3, 2019 • 9:37 AM
In reply to I am so grateful to MSK… by Lourdes Ramos Rios
Barbara Reader
Sep 3, 2019 • 3:08 PM
MSK does not take my insurance. When I tried to come to MSK for a consult (I have recurrent endometrial cancer) they refused to allow me to see the specialist I wanted to consult with, and instead insisted I go to a person who did general endometrial cancer who reviewed all the work that had been done at my current provider. The person on the phone implied this was because they might night agree that I should see that sub-specialist at all. I later found out this was because when I first found endometrial cancer I had consulted with a general endometrial cancer doctor at MSK, and even though that doctor was gone, I was required by their rules to go back to her and they sent me to somebody else in that department since she was gone. The doctor I saw praised my current doctor (which did not surprise me, I didn't want her work reviewed in the first place) and just told me it was all OK. I eventually had to go to a different hospital to talk to a subspecialist in the area I wanted (thoracic oncological surgery). From what I have heard, your doctors and medical staff are good, but everyone I've spoken to agrees that your support staff is a nightmare, including cousins whose parents have used MSK for years.
Great doctors, great medical staff, but be prepared to cope with an administrative nightmare.
Dear Barbara, we’re very sorry to hear that you were unhappy with any part of your care at MSK. Our Patient Representatives are committed to ensuring that your rights are respected and that your concerns are addressed. We have sent them your message, and you can contact them directly at 212-639-7202 to discuss this in more detail. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
LARISA ROKHKIND
Sep 3, 2019 • 5:54 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Sep 4, 2019 • 11:46 AM
In reply to I WANT TO EXPRESS MY… by LARISA ROKHKIND
Maryanne
Sep 3, 2019 • 7:58 PM
My friend's 34 yr old daughter, 12 wks pregnant, was found with a growth on her ovary. Her Dr advised her to call MSKCC in Montvale, NJ. She was told that although they do offer OB/Gyn services, they do not have a pregnancy oncology department service. Is this true? She was told to contact Columbia, Mt. Sinai or Westchester Medical
The best of the best. Dr Kara Long Roche and Dr. Claire Friedman, they save my life. I LOVE THEM.