The Gynecologic Cancer Center at City of Hope Chicago focuses on treating women with cancer of the reproductive organs, including:
These cancers require not only expert care, but supportive services designed to help women stay strong during treatment and to address sexual and other side effects that may be a result of the disease or its treatment. Our Gynecologic Cancer Center, which has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in 2024-25 as “high performing” in gynecologic cancer surgery, works closely with behavioral health, oncology rehabilitation, nutritional support and other supportive care providers to help ease and prevent cancer-related side effects, such as lymphedema and pelvic floor weakness.
Learn more about cancer in women.
Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who focus on treating cancers of the reproductive system and who receive additional training in gynecology and obstetrics. These doctors acquire specialized training to help diagnose, stage and treat the different types of gynecologic cancers.
Gynecologic oncologists are trained to provide a variety of cancer treatments, including:
Barbara Buttin, MD
Gynecologic Oncologist
Julian Schink, MD
Emeritus Chief Medical Officer, City of Hope Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix
Hatem Halabi, MD, FACS
Surgical Oncologist
Karan Shah, MD, MBA
Radiation Oncologist and Co-Medical Director, Breast Program
Karen Smorowski, MD
Radiation Oncologist, City of Hope Chicago
The Gynecologic Cancer Center at City of Hope Chicago treats your specific gynecologic cancer using standard-of-care and, when appropriate, innovative precision medicine treatments, while also offering evidence-informed supportive care services designed to help patients manage cancer-related symptoms and side effects.
Your care team will oversee the many aspects of your cancer diagnosis and treatment, including reviewing your medical records and history, performing a pelvic exam and lab tests, when necessary, and ordering diagnostic procedures to help determine a gynecologic cancer treatment plan designed just for you and your needs.
Your Chicago gynecologic oncologist will discuss with you and your caregiver the treatment options available to you, while also sharing the ways supportive care services may be incorporated into your cancer treatment plan.
Women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers may face unique challenges, both physical and emotional. A reproductive cancer diagnosis may raise concerns about fertility and sexual health. Side effects of treatment may cause body-image issues and pain. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors and clinicians offer treatment options and supportive care services customized to meet your individual needs. Supportive care services that may be available to gynecologic oncology patients at City of Hope Chicago include:
Pain, one of the common early gynecologic cancer symptoms, is often caused when a tumor presses on nerves, bones or organs. Many gynecologic cancer patients also experience pain after treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
At City of Hope, pain management physicians are part of a multidisciplinary team of doctors and clinicians focused on evaluating, treating and managing acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) pain for every patient who needs it. The pain management team at City of Hope focuses on treating patients with cancer-related pain using both prescription drugs and non-pharmaceutical strategies, so they can focus on healing while maintaining their quality of life.
Learn more about pain management at City of Hope.
Cancer patients may experience changes to their sexual desire, function and relationships during their treatment journey. Patients with any type of cancer may experience some level of sexual dysfunction, but those with gynecologic cancers are especially at risk for symptoms and side effects that may affect their sexual health. At City of Hope Chicago, our care teams include experts trained in helping patients address physical conditions, such as pelvic floor dysfunction, and psychological challenges that may impair their sexual wellness.
Learn more about sexual wellness services at City of Hope.