Noninvasive Cancer Treatment Center in Pasadena, CA
At Pasadena CyberKnife Center, our mission is to be a world-class, comprehensive resource for patients battling cancer in Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles, CA area. Our state-of-the-art cancer treatment center features CyberKnife,, one of the most advanced cancer treatment systems on the market today. We’re proud to use CyberKnife to treat many forms of cancer without surgery, and we can often use noninvasive CyberKnife to treat gynecologic cancers. But we believe that the first step to fighting cancer is education – so here are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about gynecologic cancer.
Common Questions About Gynecologic Cancer
What is gynecologic cancer?
Gynecologic cancer is actually a blanket term and does not refer to one specific cancerous condition. Instead, gynecologic cancer refers to any cancerous growth or tumor that forms in the female reproductive system. It encompasses many specific forms of cancer, but some of the most common types of gynecologic cancer include:
- Cervical Cancer
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
What is dysplasia?
Dysplasia is a precancerous condition where cells look abnormal, but not enough to be considered cancerous. Dysplasia in any area is a cause for concern and warrants further observation. Dysplasia doesn’t always lead to cancer, but it’s a red flag and means the area will need to be closely watched for signs of cancerous growths.
What causes gynecologic cancer?
Generally, scientists don’t understand the exact causes of cancer. However, research has uncovered a number of statistically significant risk factors: variables that affect any one individual’s chances of developing cancer over the course of their lifetime. Some of the most common risk factors for gynecologic cancers include:
- Age
- Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
- Having more than 5 sexual partners over a lifetime
- Sexual intercourse at an early age
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Does being sexually active increase my risk for cancer?
The link between sexual activity and cancer risk isn’t well understood. Generally speaking, having more than 5 sexual partners in your lifetime and having sexual intercourse at an early age are risk factors for certain gynecologic cancers, such as cervical cancer – but this does not mean that sexual activity increases your risk for cancer. Instead, it may be that these risk factors merely increase the chances of HPV infection, which is the cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Talk with your doctor to determine your own personal risk of gynecologic cancer and how you can help to prevent it.
What are the treatment options for gynecologic cancer?
Treatments for gynecologic cancer will vary greatly from patient to patient, and your own personal treatment regimen will depend entirely upon the specifics of your case. The most common treatments for gynecologic cancers include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
- CyberKnife or another form of radiation therapy
Often, your doctor will recommend combining two or more of these methods for the best overall treatment. We’ll work with you to design a comprehensive plan for your cancer treatment.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Los Angeles, CA Cancer Center
Receiving any form of cancer diagnosis can be extremely challenging – but at Pasadena CyberKnife Center, we’re here to help. Our cancer doctors and radiation oncologists work every day to help patients all over Los Angeles beat cancer, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today to learn more about our CyberKnife clinic and schedule a consultation. We’ll help you make a plan, take hope in the fight against cancer, and start the road to recovery.