Treatment
After diagnosis and initial evaluation, the doctor considers treatment options that fit each woman’s needs and discusses these options with her. The choice of treatment depends on the size of the tumor, the stage of the disease, whether female hormones affect tumor growth, and tumor grade. (The tumor grade tells how closely the cancer resembles normal cells and suggests how fast the cancer is likely to grow. Low-grade cancers are likely to grow and spread more slowly than high-grade cancers.) Other factors, including the woman’s age and general health, are also considered when planning treatment. Women with uterine cancer may be treated by a team of specialists that may include a gynecologist, gynecologic oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer of the female reproductive tract), and a radiation oncologist.
Getting a Second Opinion
Before starting treatment, a woman may want a second specialist to confirm the diagnosis and review her treatment options. It may take a week or two to arrange for another opinion, but a short delay will not reduce the chance that treatment will be successful. Some insurance companies require a second opinion; many others cover a second opinion if the patient requests it. There are a number of ways to find a doctor who can give a second opinion:
• The woman’s doctor may be able to suggest specialists to consult.
• The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell callers about treatment facilities, including cancer centers and other programs supported by the National Cancer Institute.
• A woman can get the names of doctors from her local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school.
• The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists lists doctors’ names along with their specialty and their background. This resource is in most public libraries.