Chemotherapy and Hormone Therapy for Gynecologic Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. It is often used to treat gynecologic cancers, either by itself or following gynecologic cancer surgery.

Chemotherapy for Treating Gynecologic Cancer

Depending on the stage and type of your gynecologic cancer, chemotherapy may be:

• Taken by mouth
• Given as an injection
• Placed directly into the tumor site

The Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program in Pittsburgh, provides a private atmosphere where you can receive chemotherapy, including:

• Intravenous chemotherapy
• Intraperitoneal chemotherapy
• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Other comprehensive services include:

• Laboratory specimen collection
• Administration of blood and blood products
• Maintenance of center venous access devices
• Psychosocial counseling
• Nutritional counseling
• Ostomy care

Hormone Therapy for Treating Gynecologic Cancer

For some cancers, your body’s natural hormones may be causing your cancer to grow.

Depending on your type of gynecologic cancer, your doctor may suggest using hormone therapy to:

• Block the hormones that cause your cancer to grow
• Give you synthetic hormones to stop your body’s production of natural hormones that are causing your cancer to grow

Side effects of hormone therapy

Depending on the type of hormone therapy you receive, side effects may include:

• Weight gain
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular or nonexistent menstrual periods
• Changes in fertility