The IVO’s gynaecology service treats women with gynaecological cancer: ovarian cancer, endometrial-uterine cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the vagina and vulva, and precursor or pre-malignant lesions (cervix, vagina/vulva/endometrium).
The team of professionals of this service evaluates each patient individually. Once a correct diagnosis has been made, the Gynaecological Tumour Committee studies and establishes the best therapeutic strategy, taking into account the specific clinical situation and the expectations of each patient with the least side effects.
The IVO has a unit for the Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer where Pap smear screenings are carried out.
Treatment of gynaecological cancer
The different diagnostic procedures necessary for ruling out tumour pathologies are performed considering the specific clinical situation of the patient or the examination carried out, such as transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, cytology, colposcopy, directed biopsies or laparoscopy, if necessary. If any hospitalisation is required, it will be only for a short stay.
Currently, the service’s team of specialised professionals performs almost 70% of surgical procedures for cervical cancer (highly select cases according to new scientific recommendations), endometrial or ovarian cancer in the initial stage by means of laparoscopic/robotic mini-invasive surgery. This approach avoids large abdominal incisions, so the post-surgery recovery time is reduced and therefore improved.
As a surgical treatment, it should be noted that in endometrial, vulvar and cervical cancer, the detection of lymph node involvement is performed using the sentinel lymph node technique.
Around 70-80% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed when the disease has already spread beyond the pelvis. Ultra-radical surgery consists of removing all visible disease in the abdominal and pelvic cavity. This is the main treatment strategy and represents the only possibility for controlling the disease in the short and long term. The surgery is very complex and requires a highly trained, multidisciplinary surgical team involving gynaecologists and oncologists as well as general surgeons, anaesthetists, vascular surgeons, etc.
Collaboration with Other Services
The Gynaecological Service attends and collaborates with other services such as Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery (working together in cases involving advanced ovarian cancer where the patient requires intestinal surgery). The service also collaborates with breast cancer specialists for patients with genetic abnormalities who simultaneously require risk reduction surgery on the ovaries or breasts.
ESGO Accreditation
The accreditation of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) is a recognition of the IVO’s gynaecology service as a centre of excellence in training, which allows the doctors who receive this training to be recognised throughout Europe as expert gynaecological oncologists.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Regular gynaecological check-ups help in acquiring an early diagnosis through clinical examinations, transvaginal ultrasound scans and Pap smears.
TheIVO has an Early Diagnosis Unit for Cervical Cancer where regular Pap smears are carried out for all women who request them, or by medical prescription. The aim is to detect cancer even before it causes any symptoms, facilitating its diagnosis and improving its prognosis.
Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery
The Digestive Surgery section carries out its activity with the latest technical advancements in the field of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and robotic surgery) in which it has extensive experience.
The IVO is equipped with the latest da Vinci Xi system, and is one of the few Spanish hospitals to have the complete set of equipment.
Cancer-related interventions are the most complex surgical procedures, and robotic technology offers great advantages for both the patient and the surgeon.
Gynaecological Service Medical Team
Head of Service
Head of Section
Associated Doctors
Dra. Cristina Díaz Sierra
Dra. Paloma Badía Agustí
Dr. Enrique Eugenio Garrigós Llabata
Dr. Rafael Vicente Martínez Goma