Gynecologic Oncology
Gynecologic cancers are often best treated by a physician who is specially trained in this area. The gynecologic oncologists, who see patients at all three of Crozer-Keystone's cancer centers, are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of pre-malignant and malignant conditions of the female reproductive system, including the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, as well as gestational trophophobic disease, an unusual complication of pregnancy.
A gynecologic oncologist can perform surgery, administer chemotherapy or recommend radiation therapy—or combine therapies—without fragmenting care among many physicians. In most cases, women receive a referral to a gynecologic oncologist from their gynecologist or primary care physician.
Crozer-Keystone offers additional gynecologic oncology services including the Healthy Woman Project, which provides eligible, low-income women with free early cancer detection services. For additional information see our Support Services.
Meet Our Physicians
Crozer-Keystone is fortunate to have two experienced, fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologists.
Joel Noumoff, M.D., established Crozer-Keystone's gynecologic oncology program in 1993. He currently serves as chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Crozer and is Crozer's physician leader for the Fox Chase Crozer-Keystone Cancer Partnership. In addition, he serves as chairman of the Pennsylvania Cancer Control and Research Advisory Board, and he was named chair of the subcommittee established to review and revise Pennsylvania’s comprehensive Cancer Control plan. He been named a “top doctor” by Philadelphia magazine and Main Line Today magazine.
Justin Chura, M.D., is associate director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Crozer. He also serves as director of Clinical Research for Crozer-Keystone. Dr. Chura is highly experienced in robotic surgery and leads Crozer-Keystone's efforts to advance the use of the health system's Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, which recently moved from Springfield Hospital to Crozer-Chester Medical Center. He has been named a "top doctor" by Main Line Today magazine.
In the News
Sign up today for an informative "lunch and learn" lecture by Dr. Noumoff about "The Latest Concepts of Treatment for Gynecologic Malignancies" on Dec. 12 at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Northeast Conference Room 2. Call 610-284-8158 to register.
Read an informative article about ovarian cancer authored by Dr. Noumoff and Dr. Chura. In the article, the physicians discuss who is at risk for the disease, the most common symptoms, screening and more.
Dr. Noumoff is the chair of the committeed asked to revise and review Pennsylvania's Cancer Control Plan. Read the story.
Learn more about ovarian cancer in this informative article: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Know the Facts
Patient Testimonials
Hear these powerful and moving patient testimonials from Stephanie Epstein, who is battling ovarian cancer and Deborah Lawn, who is an ovarian cancer survivor. Both women, who are patients of Dr. Chura, talk about the compassionate and skillful care they receive from Dr. Chura, as well as the support from the Crozer staff.
Stephanie Epstein's story>
Deborah Lawn's story>
Locations
Request An Appointment 24/7
Use our appointment request service by filling out our online Appointment Request Form or by calling our toll-free number 1-866-695-HOPE (1-866-695-4673) at your convenience.
To find out about gynecologic exams or gynecologic oncology at any of our cancer centers, call 610-876-9640.
Gynecologic Cancer Types
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of most common gynecologic cancers are often minimal and may sometimes be mistaken for another condition, women of all ages are advised to schedule a regular gynecologic exam and Pap test. The Pap test is the preferred method for detecting gynecologic cancers of the cervix or vagina. How often a woman should receive a Pap test varies according to a woman’s age and sexual history and as well as other risk factors. Consult your physician about how often to schedule these exams.
Pay attention to any changes or problems that occur throughout your monthly cycle and carefully document these occurrences for a discussion with your physician. Immediately report any bleeding after menopause to your physician. In addition, report any painful cramps, appetite changes and vaginal discharge. These are usually easily explained and treated, but they can be early warning signs of gynecologic cancers.
Treatment
Like all malignancies, gynecologic cancers are treated in three ways: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Delaware County Memorial Hospital offer the latest techniques and technologies for each of these types of treatments.
Surgery can be used to remove a tumor or the entire affected organ. Crozer’s and DCMH's' surgeons are board-certified and highly experienced in high-tech cancer treatment techniques.
Radiation therapy is the use of X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy may use external radiation (using a machine outside the body) or internal radiation, which involves putting radioisotopes (materials that produce radiation) through thin plastic tubes into the area where cancer cells are found, a process called brachytherapy. In addition, the Crozer Regional Cancer Center offers Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, a form of external radiation in which a high dose of radiation is delivered directly to the tumor while minimizing the effects on surrounding organs and tissue.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by mouth or injected into the body. Both methods are called systemic treatment because drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and kill cancer cells throughout the body. Certain drugs may be combined to enhance their effects.
Each patient’s treatment plan is individually tailored, based on the type of cancer, the tumor size, the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age, and other factors. The latest research has shown that in some instances, a combination of treatments has resulted in higher cure rates and fewer side effects for the patient.
