Gynaecological Cancers

• The Royal Oldham Hospital – Diagnostic procedures, inpatient planned surgery, outpatient clinics and inpatient visits.
• Fairfield General Hospital – Diagnostic procedures, inpatient planned surgery, outpatient clinics and inpatient visits.
• Rochdale Infirmary – Day case surgery and outpatient clinics.
• Salford Royal Hospital - Diagnostic procedures, inpatient planned surgery, outpatient clinics and inpatient visits.

Below are some of the possible investigations and procedures carried out for gynaecological cancers at the Northern Care Alliance.

Cervical Cancer

• You will be seen in the gynae-oncology clinic or colposcopy clinic. Colposcopy clinic is a special clinic where they have equipment to have a closer look at your cervix, the neck of the womb.
• A biopsy of your cervix or a LLETZ (Large loop excision of transformation zone) is taken if you have an abnormal looking area on the cervix.
• MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging scan)

Womb Cancer (endometrial Cancer)

• A pelvic ultrasound scan – this is a special scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body
• A pipelle, this is a sample/ biopsy of tissue taken from inside your womb
• A hysteroscopy is a procedure where a doctor uses a thin camera to look inside your uterus (womb). This helps them check for any problems. You might have the procedure in a clinic while you're awake, or in an operating room while you're asleep with a general anaesthetic. Often, the doctor will also take a tiny sample of tissue, called a biopsy, to be sent for testing
• An MRI scan - this is a special scan that produces detailed images of your internal organs in your pelvis
• A CT scan (Computed Tomography scan), this is a special scan that produces detailed images of your internal organs in your pelvis and chest
• Total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy – This is keyhole surgery to remove your womb, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries
• Total abdominal hysterectomy – this is when you have a larger incision (cut) to remove your womb, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries

Ovarian Cancer

• A pelvic ultrasound scan – this is a special scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body
• A CT scan (Computed Tomography scan), this is a detailed scan that takes detailed images of the inside of your body
• An MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging) - this is a special scan that produces detailed images of your internal organs in your pelvis
• Omental biopsy - This is a procedure that is carried out in the X-ray department to obtain a biopsy to diagnose ovarian cancer

Vulval Cancer

• Vulvoscopy - this takes place in the colposcopy clinic. Colposcopy clinic is a special clinic where they have equipment to have a closer look at your vulva, which is the outer parts of the female genitalia
• A biopsy will be taken
• ACT scan (Computed Tomography scan), this is a detailed scan that takes detailed images of the inside of your body

Vaginal Cancer

• You will be seen in the gynae-oncology clinic or colposcopy clinic. Colposcopy clinic is a special clinic where they have equipment to have a closer look at your vagina
• A biopsy (small tissue sample) will be taken
• A CT scan (Computed Tomography scan), this is a detailed scan that takes detailed images of the inside of your body

Your referral will be assessed on receipt from your GP, and as per guidance, you will receive the appropriate appointment for your condition.

You may be asked to attend for investigations before seeing a member of the gynae-oncology team.

Please note that some of our Diagnostic procedures are carried out in a theatre, and you may be asked to attend the Day Case Unit.

We want to make sure you feel as supported and prepared as possible for your upcoming appointment. We understand that this appointment might involve discussing sensitive information, potentially even a cancer diagnosis. You may have questions that you want to ask, write them down and bring them with you, bring a notepad and pen so you can make your own notes too.

Bringing Support

Because of the sensitive nature of these discussions, we strongly recommend you bring a relative or friend along for support. Having someone with you can make a big difference.

Your Care Team

Before your appointment, your care may have been discussed at a multi-disciplinary team meeting. A Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a group of healthcare professionals from different specialities who work together to plan and deliver the best possible care for you. They meet to discuss your individual case, review your test results, and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

A Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and a Cancer care co-ordinator may be present during your consultation to offer additional support and answer your questions.

Medications

To help us plan your care, please bring a list of all your current medications with you.

Appointment Length and What to Expect

Depending on the type of consultation, your appointment could last up to 30 minutes.

Running on Time

We always aim to run on schedule, but sometimes appointments may take longer than expected. This is because we want to give every patient enough time to talk through their concerns and ask questions with the consultants. We appreciate your understanding if there's a slight delay.

Should you need an in-person appointment, we'll send you a letter containing all the necessary details. Our gynae-oncology departments are in Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford. You will be seen in the outpatient departments/diagnostic unit at one of these hospitals.

Please visit our Getting Here page for information on each hospital site.

Patients are either referred by their GP, from another speciality in the hospital or from the emergency department and receive an appointment based on their condition.

Patient Leaflets

• About your Hysterectomy
• Colposcopy Procedures and Treatments
• Enhanced recovery after your Gynaecology Procedure
• Gynaecology Macmillan Cancer Co-Ordinator
• Hysteroscopy under General Anaesthetic
• Outpatient Hysteroscopy
• The Gynaecology Oncology Multi-disciplinary Team
• The Gynaecology Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist Service

• Macmillan Information Centre, The Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 656 1026
• Salford - Macmillan Info, Hope Building -  0161 206 1455
• Christie at Salford, Macmillan Info - 0161 918 7804

Useful Links

• Macmillan support and information www.macmillan.org.uk
• Eve Appeal  www.eveappeal.org.uk
• Peaches Womb Cancer Trust https://peachestrust.org/
• Target Ovarian Cancer https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/
• Ovacome Ovarian Cancer www.ovacome.org.uk
• Booking & Scheduling for Fairfield General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary - 0161 778 2233

Patient Leaflets

• About your Hysterectomy
• Colposcopy Procedures and Treatments
• Enhanced recovery after your Gynaecology Procedure
• Gynaecology Macmillan Cancer Co-Ordinator
• Hysteroscopy under General Anaesthetic
• Outpatient Hysteroscopy
• The Gynaecology Oncology Multi-disciplinary Team
• The Gynaecology Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist Service