Medical Oncology for Gynecologic Cancers
Cancer is complex. Treating it often requires several approaches — medical, radiation, and surgical.
At UPMC, our specialists work together to ensure you receive the best care possible.
Medical oncology focuses on finding the most effective medicines to treat your type and stage of cancer. That includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.
What Is Medical Oncology? 
Oncology is the study of cancer. Medical oncology is the study and treatment of cancer with medicine, including:
In your cancer journey, a medical oncologist is often the first doctor you see and likely the one you'll see most often. They can order the tests that diagnose your cancer and coordinate your treatment plan.
What Gynecologic Cancers Do We Treat with Medical Oncology?
At UPMC, our medical oncologists treat cancers of the:
- Cervix — Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer that has screening tests. When detected early, treatment is often successful.
- Ovaries, peritoneum and fallopian tubes — These types of gynecologic cancers have similar cell types that often respond to the same treatment. Ovarian cancer is very serious. It affects almost 25,000 women in the United States each year.
- Uterus — Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer. Doctors diagnose more than 40,000 new cases each year.
- Vagina — Vaginal cancer develops in the tissues and glands that line the vagina.
- Vulva — Vulvar cancer forms in the outer part of the female genitals. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase the chances of developing vulvar cancer.
Who Can Benefit from Medical Oncology?
If your type and stage of cancer is best treated by medication — or by a combination of radiation, surgery, and medication — your doctor will likely refer you to a medical oncologist.
In your cancer journey, this is often the first doctor you see and likely the one you will see most often.
What Gynecologic Cancer Treatments Does Medical Oncology Offer?
Diagnostic services and procedures
The first step in developing a treatment plan that’s tailored to you is diagnosing your cancer and determining its type and stage. To do this, medical oncologists may order several tests, including:
Medical oncology treatments
Once your type and stage of cancer are clear, your medical oncologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan. That plan may include one of the following therapies:
- Chemotherapy — Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It’s often used before or after surgery to shrink tumors or target the invisible cancer cells that remain after the surgeon removes the tumor.
- Immunotherapy — Immunotherapy uses concentrated amounts of substances derived from nature — called biologic agents — to push the immune system to fight more effectively against cancer cells. It is also called biotherapy.
- Hormone therapy — Sometimes, the body’s own hormones cause cancer to grow and spread. Hormone therapy uses drugs to block or alter those hormones.
- Targeted therapy — Targeted therapy is a precise method of using drugs to fight cancer. Instead of killing cells, as chemotherapy does, targeted therapy seeks out the molecules responsible for cancer and blocks their growth and spread.
What Can I Expect?
During your first visit, your medical oncologist will:
- Ask you to describe your symptoms.
- Discuss your medical history.
- Do a physical exam.
- Listen to your concerns and answer your questions.
- Order necessary tests, like blood work or imaging.
Why Choose UPMC for Medical Oncology?
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and UPMC Magee-Womens provide expert medical oncology care for gynecologic cancer. At UPMC, you can expect:
- Cancer expertise — UPMC Hillman is one of just 57 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country — and the only one in western Pennsylvania. We base your cancer treatment on the latest advancements in clinical care, backed by evidence-based research. You will have access to clinical trials, holistic medicine, and fertility preservation.
- Compassionate care — At UPMC, you're not alone in your fight against gynecologic cancer. Our team of researchers, caregivers, and clinicians will guide and support you through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
- Locations close to home — UPMC offers gynecologic oncology services in communities across the region. You don’t have to travel far from home to receive the world-class care you need.
- Top doctors — Nearly 500 UPMC physicians have been recognized as “Top Doctors” across more than 60 different specialties, including gynecologic oncology.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-08-06.
