The First Private Teaching Hospital in South Africa, Johannesburg

Dr Trudy Smith

Dr Trudy Smith

MBBCh; FCOG; Cert Gynae Onc

An experienced Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Trudy Smith further specialised as a Gynaecological Oncologist at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2009.

What is Gynaecological Oncology?

Gynaecological Oncology is a specialised field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian, endometrial, uterine, vaginal, cervical, and vulvar cancer. As specialists, Gynaecological Oncologists have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers. By training, Gynaecological Oncologists are Obstetrician-Gynaecologists who have super-specialised. They are trained in all of the treatments for gynaecology cancers such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and experimental treatments.

Advantages of seeing a Gynaecological Oncologist

Not only are Gynaecological Oncologists trained to perform surgery on the female reproductive system, but on all the organs and tissue of the pelvis and abdomen which may be involved if the cancer has spread. They are also extensively trained in the vital techniques of surgical staging and cytoreductive surgery. Finding the exact stage of the cancer is vital to planning the best treatment. In the case of cytoreductive surgery, Gynaecological Oncologists are experts in finding and removing tumours that have spread in the pelvic and abdominal areas.

A distinct advantage to seeing a Gynaecological Oncologist is that one doctor can manage all the treatment for a patient, since they are trained both as a surgeon and a specialist oncologist. They can prescribe and oversee all aspects of a woman's treatment, and are the most likely professional to be well-versed in the latest treatments in the field.

Who should see a Gynaecological Oncologist?

Anyone who has been advised to have surgery for what could possibly be a gynaecological cancer. This would include exploratory surgery for any "suspicious pelvic mass". Every woman with Ovarian Cancer, Cervical, Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer/Dysplasia, Endometrial/Uterine Cancer, Complex Atypical Hyperlasia, Fallopian Tube Cancer, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma should be treated by a Gynaecological Oncologist.

Recent publications featuring Dr Trudy Smith:


Discipline

  • Gynaecological Oncologist