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A Whole-Person Approach to Gynecologic Cancer

You’re more than our patient. You’re a person with hopes, fears, dreams, and family. As your dedicated care team, we’re here to help you face gynecologic cancer with innovative treatments, nutritional guidance, emotional support, and more. Our team is here, not just to help you heal, but to nurture both your mind and spirit as you face this highly sensitive cancer. From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art clinical research center and experienced physicians whose patient success stories surpass the national average.

More Personalized Care. Better Outcomes.

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Multidisciplinary Approach

Your team of oncology physicians, radiologists, nurses and counselors is working toward a common goal: your overall wellness and helping you overcome gynecologic cancer, with a focus on everything from your day-to-day nutrition to staying active.

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A High Caliber of Care

Ranked among the top oncology programs nationwide, we see more cases of newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer cases than any other hospital in the state. Our gynecologic cancer team is recognized nationally for excellence in clinical research and innovative robotic surgery and training. As the only fellowship training program in Central Florida, we support the mission of excellence in patient care, research, and education. 

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Exclusive Healing Techniques

As we treat your cancer, we’re not just focused on targeting your cancer cells. We’re also focused on preserving your healthy tissue and keeping your treatment experience as effective, quick, and minimally invasive as possible. It’s why AdventHealth Cancer Institute is pioneering innovative options such as immunotherapy clinical trials and fertility-sparing options for patients.

Gynecologic Cancer Diagnosis Could Include:

Explore Your Treatment Options

Understanding Chemotherapy

Nothing matters more to us than getting you well, and getting you home. Depending on what type of gynecologic cancer you have and how advanced it is, chemotherapy may play an essential role in successfully treating it. That includes ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and some advanced vulvar and vaginal cancers. Chemotherapy may be the only treatment you receive, or, more commonly, it’s used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy.

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Using a combination of specialized drugs, chemotherapy has the power to destroy or slow down the growth of fast-growing cancer cells in every part of your body. It can be administered intravenously, orally, or by injection.

Depending on your type of gynecologic cancer, your oncology team will determine which drug or combination of drugs makes the most sense for you. Our Gynecologic Oncology Program also offers patients a wide range of clinical trials for chemotherapy treatments. Along the way, we're here to help however we can, answering any questions and helping you stay strong and optimistic before, during, and after your treatment.

Learn More About Chemotherapy Treatment →
Understanding Your Treatment Options

Radiation Therapy: What to Expect

While radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for gynecologic cancer, at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, we do it with uncommon expertise, guidance, and compassion. Using sophisticated radiation technology, we can target tumors in and around your cervix, vagina, ovaries, and uterus with amazing precision, easing your pain and leaving healthy tissue untouched. Depending on your diagnosis, your dedicated team may recommend radiation alone, but in many cases, we combine it with surgery and chemotherapy.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work?

Our oncology experts take an individualized approach to every patient’s treatment plan. Radiation therapy targets specific affected areas, shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells by damaging their DNA.

When treating gynecologic cancer, radiation therapy is usually delivered in one of three ways:

  • External radiation delivers radiation in a concentrated beam to keep nearby healthy tissue unaffected.

  • Internal radiation guided by ultrasound or using our MRI-guided HDR brachytherapy, a minimally-invasive method that delivers concentrated doses of radiation, keeping healthy nearby tissue safer.

Throughout your treatment, your nurses and your radiology care team are there to keep you and your support system informed, comfortable, and uplifted.

Learn More About Radiation Therapy →
Understanding Surgery

If surgery is part of your treatment plan, it’s reassuring to know that your health is in the hands of specialized surgeons. As a recognized leader in gynecologic cancer care, we’re helping patients heal through innovative surgical care day in and day out.

Options for Surgery

Surgical procedures for gynecologic cancer can be a promising step forward on your path to healing. Your dedicated team of cancer specialists will review every detail of your medical history and recent tests to recommend the strongest, most effective treatment plan for you. Surgery may be the only treatment you need, or it can also be used in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Gynecologic cancer surgery can mean a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus and, usually, the cervix. We’ll perform either a simple or radical hysterectomy:

  • Simple hysterectomy is a procedure for early-stage cancers in which the surgeon removes the uterus and cervix, leaving the surrounding organs safely untouched.

  • Radical hysterectomy is a procedure in which the uterus, cervix, top of the vagina, and sometimes ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed for a fuller cancer treatment.

We can perform hysterectomies in a number of ways:

  • Abdominal hysterectomy is when the surgeon makes an incision across the abdomen to gain access to and remove organs.

  • Vaginal hysterectomy requires no incision, and the surgeon removes the uterus and cervix through the vagina.

  • Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure to remove organs through small incisions. It is quicker, less painful, and leaves smaller scars.

  • Da Vinci® Robotic hysterectomy is a newer strategy for surgeries and uses a state-of-the-art robotic tool for higher precision, fewer scars, and a quicker recovery.

Whatever the procedure, we’ll guide you through from pre-op to post-op recovery with open arms and soothing spirits.

Learn More About Oncology Surgery →

Your Life After Cancer Treatment

Getting back to feeling whole and healthy means making room in your life for plenty of guidance, love, and support from your family, from your friends, and from us. We’re here to help guide you and educate you, with personalized gynecologic cancer recovery programs. We’re here to remind you that exercise plays a key role in reducing the risk or recurrence, and that resistance training can help decrease your risk of fractures, a common side effect of chemo and radiation treatments. From pain management  and physical rehab, to counseling and community resource recommendations, we’ll never stop supporting your body, your outlook, and your spirit.

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Our Specialists Specialize in You

Sarfraz Ahmad, PhD, FAACC, FABAP
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Robert W. Holloway, MD
Gynecologic Oncologist
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Jessica Kennard, DO
Gynecologic Oncologist
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James Kendrick, MD
Gynecologic Oncologist
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Karolina A. Kilowski, DO
Gynecologic Oncologist
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Nathalie Dauphin McKenzie, MD
Gynecologic Oncologist
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Meet Your Team
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Where To Find Us

Seven locations — one aligned, powerful, and extensive network. You’ll enjoy the same level of exceptional care, compassion, and excellence at each one of our modern Central Florida facilities. Ask your dedicated Nurse Navigator to help explore your options and find the right fit, so you feel right at home while you’re being treated — and also feel the power of a trusted network behind you.

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Experience Patient Resources

You'll feel even stronger when you're surrounded by a loving support system. From our pampering Eden Spa, which provides lymphedema therapy and wig fittings, to financial assistance tools, we’re here with the practical, emotional, and spiritual guidance you need.

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Stop Wondering. Start Preventing.

Screenings are quick, convenient, and lifesaving. Know the warning signs and be proactive early on with HPV vaccines, routine Pap tests as recommended by your physician, and annual pelvic exams. These can greatly reduce your risk of gynecologic cancers — and ultimately save your life.

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Embrace Your Full Network of Cancer Care

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More Clinical Trials. More Life-Saving Options

Our team of gynecologic cancer specialists and researchers is continuously discovering new ways to prevent and treat women’s cancer. Our participation in more than 175 national clinical trials a year gives you access to many of the latest gynecologic cancer treatments and prevention methods, many of which may not be available at other cancer centers for months, or years, to come.

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Seeking a Second Opinion?

It's always a good idea to get a second opinion. Our second-opinion experts can help you feel more confident in your care, either by confirming your diagnosis, shedding new light, or opening the door to new treatment options.

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Gynecologic Cancer Support Groups

Our gynecologic cancer patients often find comfort and hope where they least expect it: in the company of peers who end up becoming so much more. Connect with patients, survivors, and a compassionate support group staff who truly understand what you’re going through.

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News and Events

News at AdventHealth Cancer Institute

New studies. New research. New technology and more. We’ll keep you informed of innovative treatments, advanced techniques, and the latest offerings at AdventHealth Cancer Institute.

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Events at AdventHealth Cancer Institute

Find healing, find community, and stay in the know. With a wide variety of events year-round, we’ll help you connect with other patients, caregivers, support groups, as well as our compassionate care team.

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