If Cancer Recurs

When a gynecologic cancer first develops, it is called a primary cancer. Any subsequent disease near the original finding is called a local recurrence which means that after an interval of being free of cancer, the cancer has reappeared in the body. Additional surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may then be recommended. If cancer cells are detected in other parts of the body, systemic chemotherapy may be indicated.


Surveillance for Other Cancers

We urge you not to neglect the possibility of other cancers such as colorectal and breast cancer, especially if your family has a history of cancer. Early detection is extremely effective against these cancers. Please discuss surveillance with your physician.


Future Directions

New treatment protocols such as gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and new chemotherapeutic drugs are currently in the testing phase. New therapies such as vaccines may also become available. Many of these therapies are available to patients through clinical trials at local hospitals. To find out more about clinical trials, ask your physician. Many therapies currently in the testing phase may become standard and more gynecologic cancers may be cured.

An exciting recent development is "serum proteonic screening." This is a new blood test that attempts to identify early-stage cancer by screening many proteins in the blood as opposed to one tumor marker, such as CA-125. Early results have been very encouraging and the test is awaiting further validation.