Gynecological Oncology Vienna

• conisation performed as loop electrosurgical procedure for cervical dysplasia
• simple hysterectomy (minimally invasive procedure)
• radical hysterectomy (nerve sparing technique)
• radical trachelectomy (fertility sparing technique
• pelvic lymph node evaluation including sentinel techniques
• paraaortic lymph node evaluation (minimally invasive procedure)
• chemotherapy and targeted therapy (antiangiogenesis)
• immunotherapy

• simple hysterectomy (minimally invasive procedure)
• pelvic lymph node evaluation including sentinel techniques
• paraaortic lymph node evaluation (minimally invasive procedure)
• fertility-sparing treatment
• anti-hormonal treatment
• chemotherapy

(e.g. benign, borderline tumors, sex-cord stromal and germ cell tumors, etc)

• Staging-procedures including salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, pelvic and paraaortic lymph node evaluation (minimally invasive procedure)
• Fertility sparing treatment for early stage disease
• Complex cytoreductive procedures, including primary debulking surgery and intervention debulking surgery (performed at University Hospital Vienna)
• Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy including antiangiogenesis treatment
• Cytoreductive surgery for recurrent disease (performed at University Hospital Vienna)
• Chemotherapy treatment of recurrent cancers including antiangiogenesis and PARP Inhibitor treatment

Local and radical tumor resection including plastic reconstructive procedures

Evaluation of inguinal lymph nodes including sentinel lymph node procedure

Chemotherapy for recurrent disease

Tumours of the female genitlia can be largely removed with minimally invasive surgery. The Wiener privatklinik has of course set up a tumour board.

Cancer is a disease that can affect all parts of the human body – including the female reproductive organs. At the Wiener Privatklinik (WPK) all the following cancers can be treated. That is what the outstanding gynaecologists at the WPK stand for. The most widely known tumour of the female genital tract is cervical or uterine cancer.

 “Years ago, this was the most common malignant tumour in the genital area”, said Dr. Brigitte Schurz. “Thanks to intensive preventive measures, however, the disease rate has been reduced by 75 percent in recent years.” 

The most common cause for developing cervical cancer is an infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually transmitted sexually. A vaccine to prevent HPV that causes cervical cancer and its precursors has been available for some years now. Fortunately, this vaccination and screenings using PAP smears have led to a decline in new cancer cases. We can already treat cancer precursors locally with a special ointment.

Urine cancer is a malignant tumour that begins in the uterus. It mainly affects women in and after menopause, with childlessness, high blood pressure and obesity being risk factors. The first symptom is often bleeding. “Any bleeding after menopause should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible”, said Prof. Schurz. When diagnosed and treated early, there is a very good chance of being cured. Ovarian cancer is particularly dangerous. An early detection is only possible with vaginal ultrasound because the patient can hardly feel Endoscopic techniques Carcinomas can even develop in the labia. Vaginal cancer mainly affects older women above 60, with risk factors also including childlessness, high blood pressure and obesity. “60 to 70 percent of these diseases can be successfully treated surgically”, Univ. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinz Kölbl explained. “In more widespread cancers, chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is necessary, which may be followed by a surgery.” Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are most frequently used, but classical open surgery still exists, too. New at WPK: the tumour board Interdisciplinarity is the key to modern cancer treatment. That is why we have a so-called tumour board at the Wiener Privatklinik. It can be seen as a regular meeting of specialists from different disciplines who determine the best treatment for each individual patient together. 

“With the establishment of a tumour board, we are aligned with international developments, highlighting the high quality of the treatment offered at the WPK”, said Prof. Kölbl. 

The tumour board does not only address medical questions but is always at the patient’s side. “Patients want a doctor who is a case manager and will be by their side through the course of treatment , from the first suspicion of cancer to the follow-up care after an oncological treatment. They want to be able to turn to the doctor with questions or simply when they are unwell”, explained Visiting Assistant Professor Dr. Daniela Dörfler. “All of that is possible in a clinic like the WPK.” The gynaecologist and clinical sexologist is also a specialist for the consequences and side effects cancer has on sexuality. A genital tumour i.e. its treatment can lead to a low sex drive, vaginal dryness, early onset of menopause or a shortened vagina.

 “The issue of sexuality is an important one in oncological rehabilitation because it has a positive effect on the healing process and is a great resource”, said Prof. Dörfler. 

Sexuality To this end, both physical therapy and medical devices such as dilators are available as options. When it comes to a shortened vagina after certain operations or after radiation, patients are afraid that they will no longer be able to have intercourse. Yet Prof. Dörfler knows how to reassure them: “Depending on previous treatment, penetration is possible after six weeks to three months, if they wish. Having a loving partner by one’s side is a great support in the healing process.”