Cancer Center for Women
Cancer takes a demanding toll on women — mentally, physically, and spiritually. Our cancer specialists at The Oncology Institute are committed to addressing the unique needs of women facing cancer diagnoses. With two dedicated women’s health clinics in Long Beach and Whittier, California, we stay up to date on the latest advancements in treatment options, allowing for precise and comprehensive care.
Subspecialists like Dr. Oranus Mohammadi at our Whittier Medical Oncology location provide clinical expertise and compassionate care in the ever-changing field of women’s oncology.
The Women’s Cancer Types We Treat
Women’s cancer care is a unique specialty that focuses on the cancers that directly impact women, such as breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers.
Our board-certified oncologists and cancer specialists, like Dr. Mohammadi, have extensive training and experience in the early detection and treatment of women’s cancers.
When you visit our Whittier Medical Oncology clinic and our Long Beach Radiation Oncology clinic, we’re able provide specialized women’s health services, including:
- Screenings for early detection, providing patients with their best chance for successful treatment.
- Advanced treatment options, including clinical trials.
- Emotional and mental health services specific to a woman’s experiences.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer develops in the cells of the breast and can occur in any area, though especially within the ducts and glands. This disease is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.
Our women’s cancer specialists understand the complexities of diagnosing this often missed form of cancer. We perform physical exams to check for lumps or abnormalities. We also provide imaging tests, such as 3D mammograms, that can alert us to tumors before a lump is felt. Biopsies then detect cancer cells, confirming our findings so that we can start mapping out the best cancer treatment for the unique diagnosis.
We care for women with several kinds of breast cancers, including:
- Ductal carcinoma: The most common form of breast cancer, which starts in the milk ducts and sometimes spreads to surrounding breast tissue
- Lobular carcinoma: A type of cancer that begins in the breast’s lobules, the glands that produce milk
- Triple-negative breast cancer: A challenging breast cancer subset that does not respond to traditional therapies, requiring advanced knowledge and a unique treatment approach
- Inflammatory breast cancer: A rare and aggressive breast cancer type that can cause breasts to appear red, warm, and swollen
Gynecologic Cancer
Gynecologic cancer is abnormal cells that grow and spread in a woman’s reproductive organs, including the ovaries and cervix. Our doctors can detect gynecologic cancer through a combination of physical exams, diagnostic tests — such as pap smears — and advanced imaging techniques.
At our women’s care clinics, we diagnose and treat several gynecologic cancer types, including:
- Uterine cancer: The most common type of gynecologic cancer, this disease develops in the tissues of the uterus.
- Cervical cancer: This prevalent women’s cancer forms from cells on the surface of the cervix, which change and multiply quickly.
- Fallopian tube cancer: Also called tubal cancer, this rare type forms in the tissue lining of a woman’s fallopian tubes.
- Ovarian cancer: Caused by mutations to cells in the ovaries, this type of cancer can multiply and invade healthy body tissue.
- Peritoneal cancer: This rare form of cancer develops in the tissue that lines the abdomen.
- Vaginal cancer: Extraordinarily rare, this cancer develops in the vagina’s tissue.
- Vulvar cancer: This is another rare type of cancer that forms on the outer surface area of a woman’s genitalia.
Women’s Cancer Treatment Options
Since 2007, The Oncology Institute has provided personalized treatment plans with therapies tailored to the individual’s cancer type, symptoms, and side effects. With the launch of our women’s cancer care clinics in Long Beach and Whittier, we can provide hyper-personalized care, support, and therapies unique to women’s needs.
Our distinctive care approach treats the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit. We understand that a diagnosis of cancer can be very overwhelming for patients and for their families. We stress the importance of emotional side effects that cancer can have on women, providing an understanding of the diagnosis and also a deep knowledge about the treatment to help patients reduce their anxieties.
We are proud to offer the treatment and therapies you need throughout your cancer journey.
Chemotherapy
Our chemotherapy involves the use of targeted, powerful drugs that can slow or kill the growth of cancer cells. We offer chemotherapy for breast and gynecologic cancer intravenously, orally, or through direct injection into the affected area.
Radiation Therapy
This prevailing treatment utilizes high-energy particle waves to shrink tumors and destroy or damage cancer cells. It is often used for treating breast and cervical cancer.
Hormone Therapy
Hormones like estrogen are needed for certain types of women’s cancer to grow. Hormone therapy blocks the amount of hormones a patient’s body produces to slow or stop the spread of these types of cancers.
Immunotherapy
This treatment helps boost the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer and improve immune system function.
Targeted Therapy
Used most often in the treatment of breast cancer, targeted therapy uses specialized drugs that can identify and attack the proteins and molecules of cancer cells, stopping the disease from growing and spreading while limiting harm to healthy cells.
Advanced Women’s Cancer Care Treatment at The Oncology Institute
Dr. Mohammadi and the other providers at our women’s care clinics look forward to continuing advancements in the treatment of women’s cancer. This includes:
- Precision medicine: In conjunction with targeted therapy, precision medicine can detect molecular mutations, particularly in the breast.
- Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC): Combining targeted therapy and chemotherapy, ADCs are progressing every day — specifically in the field of breast cancer and gynecology.
The Oncology Institute Difference in Women’s Health
At The Oncology Institute, we believe in continually changing oncology for the better. With the opening of our specialized women’s cancer care clinics, our subspecialists can address each woman’s unique cancer journey.
Along with cutting-edge, evidence-based cancer care, here are just a few ways we offer women a different treatment experience.
Early Detection
Early detection is one of the biggest challenges in the field of women’s cancer care. We have lots of patients with limited resources who don’t undergo appropriate screening, and they ignore the symptoms that they have.
Our advanced diagnosis and screening techniques allow us to identify the earliest stages of women’s cancer before malignant cells have a chance to spread to other parts of the body.
Improved Access
Along with our two women’s cancer care clinics, The Oncology Institute has multiple locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. No matter where you live or your unique situation, we have providers available to help.
Education
Education — and understanding the symptoms that are related to the cancer — is very important. Our providers work with patients and families to educate them step by step about their diagnosis and treatment plans.
Holistic Treatment: Body, Mind, and Spirit
Cancer care is more than a medical remedy. It’s about having a more peaceful journey during the course of the treatment. Along with our advanced therapies, we offer emotional and mental health support. Patients can join support groups, or our providers can coordinate their care with a psychiatrist or therapist who can address the toll this disease takes.
Multidisciplinary Approach
The experienced health care providers at The Oncology Institute are some of the finest cancer specialists in the country, especially in the field of women’s cancer care.
When we diagnose our patients with cancer, it’s a multidisciplinary field that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our team seamlessly works together to ensure each patient receives optimal care.
Clinical Trials
We are proud to offer a distinguished clinical trials program for patients with complicated diagnoses or those who experience treatment failures. These opportunities allow patients to get the benefit out of treatments that are not available to everyone.
Request An Appointment at Our Cancer Center for Women
Our mission at The Oncology Institute is to provide our patients with the education, care, support, and therapies they need to feel empowered as they undergo breast or gynecologic cancer treatment.
When you make an appointment with TOI’s Cancer Center for Women, you’ll experience unrivaled quality of care, skilled medical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and a unique emphasis on the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of cancer treatment.
For comprehensive breast or gynecologic cancer care, request an appointment with The Oncology Institute today.
