Managing reproductive tract malignancy

Abstract

The basic, accepted tenet of every physician and every obstetrician-gynecologist’s treatment philosophy is to provide the highest quality, cost effective medical care to each and every woman in their practice. Given this fact, our direction, response, and therapeutic goals for all patients at each and every branch of the medical algorithm decision tree should be no less than that expected or desired for one of our beloved family members. All aspects of our daily practice, including but not limited to decisions regarding appropriate spacing of appointment times, careful correct prescribing practices, thorough history taking, appropriate and complete physical examination, a resolve to relieve pain, thoughtful preoperative preparation, and successful safe completion of every surgical procedure should by governed by these “standards.” While every decision regarding women’s health care carries potential value and possible consequences, few carry as much psychologic or physiologic impact on short- or long-term patient well being as the correct diagnosis and appropriate management of a suspected gynecologic malignancy.