MetroHealth Connection
MetroHealth offers highly focused gynecologic cancer treatments
 MetroHealth has one of the area's largest gynecologic cancer programs.
Resources for gynecologic cancer at MetroHealth include:
- A cancer care team to provide coordinated care.
- Specially trained oncology nurses
- An outpatient social worker
- Genetic counselors
- A specialized gynecologic pathologist
- A radiologist specifically trained in interpreting X-rays for cancer.
- A state-of-the-art Colposcopy Clinic on MetroHealth’s main campus.
- Specialized, cancer-specific imaging protocols for staging.
- Access to all open Gynecologic Oncology Group sponsored clinical trials.
- Computer technology which makes chemotherapy dosage extremely accurate and easier to track.
- Interventional radiology for insertion of IV ports, fine-needle biopsies and minimally invasive treatments to cut off blood supply to tumors.
- $5.4 million in new radiation oncology technology, including a new dedicated high dose rate bracytherapy system and suite.
Gynecologic Cancers Treated
The most common gynecologic cancers treated at MetroHealth include endometrial, ovarian and cervical cancer. “We see more advanced cervical cancer than other area hospitals because many of our patients don’t have health coverage and don’t come for regular screening,’’ said Abdelwahab D. Shalodi, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with more than 31 years of experience treating cancers.
MetroHealth’s gynecologic cancer medical specialists meet regularly to review cases and treatment plans.
Latest Radiation Oncology Treatment Available
The radiation oncology upgrades streamline treatment, said Peter M. Laye, MD, Director, Radiation Oncology. “The most current radiation therapy technology allows us to shape the radiation field around the tumor and avoid surrounding normal tissue. We can administer a high dose to the tumor without damaging healthy tissue.’’
Dr. Laye noted that the technology allows administering treatment at a rate more than 40 percent faster than conventional machines. “This means patients can complete their treatment faster and spend more time with their family.’’
Advanced Radiology Offers More Thorough Look at Patients' Health
“It’s a great team,’’ said radiologist Timothy Kasprzak, MD, who is trained to detect subtle changes in tumors. “We can tailor our evaluations to accurately stage gynecologic cancers. For instance, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervix can help determine if a patient is a candidate for surgery. For ovarian cancer, our radiology specialist can evaluate for spread to soft tissues in the abdomen.’’
Nationally Recognized Nursing Care
“Our dedicated gynecologic oncology nurses follow our patients with physicians from day one,” said Pamela Haba, RN, OCN, “educating them extensively about the diseases and treatments and side effects. We work with a wonderful palliative care team who help patients fight the diseases and continue with life and treatment.’’
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