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Gynaecologic Oncology
Introduction
The Division of Gynaecologic
Oncology is dedicated to serving women diagnosed with pelvic cancers
affecting the womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. We also
serve women who require management for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, a disease arising from pregnancy tissue.
History
Since moving to the current
site at the National University Hospital, the Division has been
providing world class standard of cancer treatment. The new team of
subspecialty trained Onco-gynaecologists laid the foundation in the
early nineties. A/Prof Tham K F promoted cancer care when he
returned from his UK training. When the late A/Prof Lim Fang Kan came
back from his training with the world-renown Prof John Monaghan
(Newcastle, UK); he steered the Division with a steady hand. A/Prof
Lim introduced a new technique of needle-cone biopsy for the
diagnosis and treatment of Cervical Intra-Epithelial Neoplasia in
2002, thereby greatly improving the histological evaluation and
surgical outcome of the treatment.
Team
The Division is presently
headed by our very experienced and renown Dr Jeffrey Low, Head and Senior Consultant,
together with Associate Professor A. Ilancheran, Senior Consultant
and Dr Joseph Ng, Consultant. The team provides expertise to deal
with the full spectrum of female gynaecologic cancers of the day.
Services
Our clientele includes women
referred by the polyclinics, General Practitioners and fellow
Gynaecologists. Many of them also come from neighboring countries
such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and India. On suspicious of being
afflicted by cancer, the women are expeditiously evaluated by
detailed clinical evaluation and up-to-date sophisticated imaging
(3D Ultrasonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging). When appropriate,
surgical intervention will be carried out without delay by some of
the best cancer surgeons in the land. The post-operative care is
provided by an experienced team of medical and nursing personnel. In
the management of advanced stage cancers or uncommon varieties, we
bring in the expertise of our fellow Medical Oncologist,
Radiotherapist, Interventional Radiologist and Colorectal Surgeon.
This multi-disciplinary approach is crucial in the modern fight
against the dreaded menace. Patient aftercare is incomplete without
the input of our Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Medical
Social Counselor and Dietician. As a team, we facilitate the
transition of acute post-op care to step-down recuperative care or
palliative care.
Outpatient Chemotherapy
The hospital has a well
organized one-stop Outpatient Chemotherapy Centre. Many of our
patients will require adjuvant chemotherapy to eradicate or control
the disease. Our efficient facility has made the treatment
experience far more pleasant than it would otherwise be.
Cancer Centre
Every woman who has been
diagnosed with and treated for genital cancer will be followed up at
the outpatient Cancer Centre, located at the Kent Ridge Wing,
National University Hospital. At this modern and cosy clinic, we
engage the patient in various stages of disease progression. It may
just be a routine check during the remission phase. She may be
evaluated during the primary or repeat course of chemotherapy. There
were times when we organized complete investigational work for
suspected recurrence.
The follow up in the first
five years after primary treatment is usually more intense and
frequent. Thereafter, the women will only need to be seen on a
yearly basis.
Colposcopy Clinic
Colposcopy is vital in the
eradication of cervical cancer. The Division runs a very active
Colposcopy Clinic, where women with abnormal Pap smears are seen.
With the colposcope, we magnify the image of the external cervix and
by various special stains, the pre-cancerous and cancerous features
of the cervix are demonstrated. Subsequent treatment will depend on
the site and size of the pre-cancerous or cancerous features.
Conclusion
The Division provides a
dedicated oncology service, involving multiple disciplines. Our care
goes beyond just treating cancer. We have prevention programs to
minimize your cancer risk; we liaise with the hospital’s Cancer
Genetic Centre to help family when a member has a cancer with
sufficient inheritable potential. In collaboration with our Social
Work and Psychological Medicine Department, we offer support and
grief management to those who need to come to terms with a diagnosis
of cancer in the family. The Division is primed to provide world
class service to our international patients from all over the world,
and they can be assured of every necessary support service from our
hospital International Patient Centre.
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