Obstetricians who specialize in oncology are doctors who have special expertise in treating tumors and cancers in the female reproductive organs. This includes tumors and cancers that attack the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina and vulva.
Obstetricians who specialize in oncology are doctors who study gynecological oncology. Oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on cancer and its treatment, while gynecology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health of the female reproductive organs.
Oncology subspecialist obstetricians have the title of Consultant Gynecology Oncology Obstetrics-Gynecology Specialist or abbreviated as Sp.OG (K)Onk. To get this degree, a general practitioner must first complete a doctoral study program specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, then take oncology subspecialty education for several years.
Diseases that Can Be Treated by a Obstetrician Sub-specialist Oncology
The following are various diseases that are handled by obstetricians, subspecialist oncology, are:
1. Uterine cancer
Uterine cancer is most common in women who have passed menopause or are 50 years of age or older. A woman is more at risk of developing uterine cancer if she is obese, has had hormone replacement therapy, or has a family member who has had uterine cancer.
Uterine cancer often causes symptoms in the form of bleeding from the vagina and pain in the pelvis.
2. Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. In many cases, this cancer is associated with a sexually transmitted infection, namely HPV infection.
Cervical cancer often only causes symptoms when it has developed into an advanced stage or stage. Symptoms that appear can include vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation, after sex, or after menopause as well as vaginal discharge that smells and hurts every time you have sex.
3. Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is more common in women after menopause or the elderly (elderly) and women who have a family history of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is usually only detected when it has entered an advanced stage or has spread to other organs. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and vaginal bleeding.
4. Vulvar cancer
Vulvar cancer is characterized by the appearance of lumps or sores in the vulvar area, including the vaginal lips and clitoris. This cancer is more common in older women and generally those who have experienced menopause.
5. Vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer and often causes no symptoms in its early stages. Vaginal cancer at an advanced stage usually causes itching and lumps in the vagina, pelvic pain, and pain when urinating and having sex.
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that forms the inner lining of the uterine wall grows outside the uterus. This condition can cause complaints of severe pain during menstruation, and can even cause infertility.
7. Miom
Uterine fibroids or fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus. The typical symptom of fibroids is heavier or longer menstrual bleeding, with menstrual pain that is more severe than usual.
Myomas are more common in women over the age of 40. In addition, the risk of fibroids is higher in women who have a family history of fibroids.
8. Ovarian cyst
Ovarian cysts are benign tumors in the form of lumps or fluid-filled sacs located in a woman's ovaries. Symptoms include pelvic pain, flatulence, and irregular periods. Usually, these symptoms only appear when the size of the cyst gets bigger.
9. Gestational trophoblastic
This disease can appear early in pregnancy and is a rare type of tumor. Gestational trophoblasticity occurs when the trophoblastic tissue that forms after fertilization is deformed.
As a result, the tissue does not develop into a fetus, but causes abnormalities in the form of pregnancy or tumors.
Duties and Medical Actions Performed by Oncology Subspecialist Obstetricians
The scope of duties of an oncology subspecialist obstetrician is quite broad, ranging from providing consultations, diagnosing diseases, to determining appropriate treatment steps and preventive measures according to the patient's illness.
If the patient requires surgery, the doctor will treat the patient before, during, and after the surgical procedure, as well as monitor the progress of the patient's condition after undergoing treatment at the hospital.
In dealing with patients' illnesses, obstetricians oncology sub-specialists can work together with other doctors, such as obstetricians, hematology-oncology specialists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons, and are assisted by nurses.
To determine the diagnosis of the disease, the oncology subspecialist obstetrician will trace the patient's medical history and symptoms and perform a physical examination.
Next, the doctor will perform several supporting examinations, such as:
- ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI
- Blood and urine test
- Colposcopy
- Laparoscopy
- Biopsy
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will determine the treatment method that suits the patient's needs. The type of treatment that the doctor will choose depends on the type of disease experienced by the patient, the affected organ, the stage or stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's general health condition.
Medical actions that can be carried out by an oncology subspecialist obstetrician include:
Operation
Surgical procedures performed by obstetricians who specialize in oncology aim to remove tumors or cancers in the female reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vulva, and vagina.
The operation can be done by general surgery with a wide incision or laparoscopic surgery with a smaller incision.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy aims to kill cancer cells using high-power radiation beams, such as X-rays or proton beams. Radiotherapy can also be done before a surgical procedure to reduce the size of the tumor for easy removal or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer cells growing back.
Radiation therapy can be done from the outside (external) by shining a light on the part of the body that is the location of cancer cells. In the case of vaginal cancer and uterine cancer, radiation therapy can be done by implanting a radioactive implant in the vagina for a certain period of time.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a method of treatment by giving drugs to kill cancer cells. Doctors can give one or more chemotherapy drugs in the form of injections or oral drugs, depending on the patient's condition.
Just like radiotherapy, chemotherapy can be done before a surgical procedure to shrink the size of the cancer so that it can be easily removed. Chemotherapy can also be combined with radiation therapy, for example in cases of large tumors or cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.
When Should You Consult a Obstetrician Sub-specialist Oncology?
Usually, obstetricians who specialize in oncology can be found on advice or referrals from general practitioners or obstetrics and gynecology specialists who treat patients. The referral is based on the doctor's findings on the patient's condition which refers to the symptoms and signs of cancer.
However, if the patient is sure that the symptoms and disease he is experiencing require treatment by an obstetrician subspecialist oncology or when the patient requires second opinion To find out the disease, the patient can see an oncology subspecialist obstetrician directly.
You are advised to consult a gynecologist who specializes in oncology if you have complaints or symptoms that indicate problems with the reproductive organs, such as:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding outside of menstruation, after sex, or after menopause
- Menstrual bleeding that is heavier and lasts longer than usual
- Abnormal vaginal discharge, such as vaginal discharge in large quantities or vaginal discharge that is different in color, smell, or texture than usual
- Complaints around the abdomen and pelvis, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and pelvic pain
- Complaints in the vaginal and vulvar area, such as itching, burning, pain, swelling, redness, or warts
- Unexplained weight loss
A woman is also advised to consult an oncology subspecialist obstetrician if she has risk factors for the diseases mentioned above. The reason is, these diseases can appear without you knowing it if you have the following risk factors:
- Already menopause
- Aged 50 years and over
- Obesity
- Suffering from certain diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have or are suffering from certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer or colon cancer
- There are family members who have had cancer, including ovarian cancer and breast cancer
- Never been pregnant
Preparation for Consultation with Obstetrician Subspecialist Oncology
Before meeting with an oncology subspecialist obstetrician, you are recommended to prepare the following things to make it easier for the doctor to determine the right treatment, such as:
- Prepare and bring a note of the questions you want to ask and a history of complaints or symptoms suffered.
- If there is, also bring the results of the examinations that have been carried out previously, for example the results of blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, or biopsies.
- If you have been diagnosed with one of the diseases mentioned above, inform your doctor about the severity of the disease you are suffering from.
- Take family members with you when you go to the obstetrician who specializes in oncology.
- Ask about the available treatment options and the success and risk rates of each.
In addition to these preparations, you should also pay attention to the following things when choosing an oncology subspecialist obstetrician:
- Consider the location and distance of the hospital or doctor's office from home, considering that at any time your symptoms may require emergency medical attention.
- You can ask for recommendations from several obstetricians who specialize in oncology, either from the doctor who examined you or from relatives. Make sure the doctor you choose is able to communicate well in explaining things related to the disease you are experiencing and the necessary treatment steps.
- Make sure the hospital where the doctor practices has complete facilities, as well as good and friendly service.
- If you want to take advantage of BPJS or your insurance, make sure the hospital is working with BPJS or your insurance provider.
The thing to remember, do not delay the time to see a gynecologist, subspecialist oncology, if you experience complaints around the reproductive organs, even if they feel mild.
If detected early and treated quickly, the disease you suffer from will be easier to treat and have a greater chance of healing.
