Whenever possible, our skilled team adopts minimally invasive surgical technologies and techniques, including surgical robots. Robot-assisted procedures are typically performed at the Surgical Robotics Institute at HCA HealthONE Swedish, a specialized hospital unit dedicated to providing care to individuals undergoing robotic procedures.

Robotic surgery enhances surgeons' vision and dexterity while typically reducing overall body impacts. Performed with tiny incisions, as opposed to one larger incision, these procedures potentially result in less pain, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.

Although not everyone is eligible, based on the type and severity of your particular condition, our surgeons have decades of experience working towards positive outcomes for people like you, and we prioritize these procedures whenever possible.

For women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, our team will work closely with you to determine the best treatment options for your condition, age, lifestyle and desire to conceive. Many women are aware of cervical cancer because of the prevalence of Pap smears, a popular screening tool. Best for early detection, Pap smears allow us to determine the presence of precancer and early signs of cancer, which increases treatment efficacy.

Women with precancer of the cervix may undergo ablation. This procedure destroys the tissue with extremely cold temperatures or with the use of a high-energy laser.

Another option for precancer treatment is excisional surgery. This procedure is performed to remove the tissue before it develops into cancer.

Surgeries we provide for cervical cancer include:

• Pelvic exenteration — For cases of recurrent cervical cancer, this procedure may be performed. The uterus, the tissue next to the uterus, the cervix and the upper part of the vagina are removed surgically. In addition, the bladder, vagina, rectum and part of the colon are also removed.
• Radical hysterectomy and modified radical hysterectomy — The uterus, the tissue next to the uterus, the cervix and the upper part of the vagina are removed. In a modified radical hysterectomy, less of the vagina and tissue next to the uterus are removed.
• Simple hysterectomy — The uterus and cervix are surgically removed. Many times, the ovaries are left in place, and the vagina and pelvic lymph nodes are not removed.
• Trachelectomy — This procedure is performed to preserve a woman’s ability to bear children. In this procedure, the cervix and upper part of the vagina are removed, but the uterus remains. A stitch is placed inside the uterus to keep the opening closed in the manner that the cervix would. Women who become pregnant after a trachelectomy may be able to carry a healthy baby to term and deliver by Cesarean section.
  

Ovarian cancer affects more than 20,000 women each year. While the condition has a reputation of being difficult to diagnose early, new understanding of the disease and advanced treatment options are allowing women to overcome this type of gynecologic cancer with greater frequency.

If you have received an ovarian cancer diagnosis, our team is here to help. We begin by working closely with you to determine the best course of treatment, considering your age, desire to conceive and how far the cancer has progressed. Most often, treatment includes surgery to work towards fully excising cancer from the body.

Hysterectomy and related procedures

When undergoing ovarian cancer treatment, many women will have a hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, procedures that surgically remove the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. We perform these, as well as the following procedures:

• Omentectomy — Depending upon the progression of your cancer, this procedure can include removing the layer of tissue covering the stomach and large intestine. A lymph node dissection may also be performed, removing partial lymph nodes of the pelvis and abdomen.
• Partial hysterectomy — This procedure involves removing only part of the uterus.
• Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy — In this surgery, one ovary or fallopian tube is removed.

Also called endometrial cancer, this condition typically develops after menopause when a woman is between the ages of 50 and 60. We know a diagnosis of uterine cancer can be overwhelming, so our team spends time with you to be sure you understand your condition and treatment options. Along with other cancer experts, we create a treatment plan that is specifically designed for your needs and health goals.

Treatment often includes robot-assisted surgery, as well as radiation, hormone therapy or chemotherapy.

Vaginal cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the vagina. The most common type of vaginal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the vaginal lining. To begin treatment, we meet with you and learn about your condition, your lifestyle and treatment preferences. Then, together, we create a plan that is the most effective but least invasive.

In the precancerous stage, some women may experience a change in the vaginal cells, which is called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN). If you have this condition, it may be treated with topical therapy, laser treatment, radiation or surgery.

If the condition has progressed beyond precancer, treatment typically includes surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Surgeries we provide include:

• Radical vaginectomy — In this surgery, the entire vagina and surrounding tissue are removed.
• Simple vaginectomy — This surgery removes the affected portion of the vagina.
  
• Vaginal reconstruction — After a vaginectomy, muscle and skin may be taken from the abdomen or inner thigh to reconstruct the vagina. This allows the woman to have vaginal intercourse in the future.

This type of cancer forms on the outer surface area of the female genitals. It is more rare than others, but because of our team’s unique area of specialization, we are equipped to treat it.

Treatment may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but surgery is most commonly used. Before resorting to surgery, your quality of life and future sexuality are highly considered, and we always prioritize the least invasive treatments based on these factors.

Our full range of treatments includes:

• Complete vulvectomy — This removes the entire vulva, as well as deep tissues.
• Excision — This entails traditional surgery when cancer and a small portion of surrounding healthy skin are removed.
  
• Laser surgery — In this procedure, the skin containing abnormal cells is burned off.
  
• Partial vulvectomy — These procedures involve the removal of part of the vulva, including deep tissue.
• Simple vulvectomy — Here, surgeons remove the entire vulva, as well as tissue just under the skin.
• Skinning vulvectomy — This procedure removes the vulva's top layer of skin.
  

Cancer treatment doesn’t begin or end in an operating room or with a course of chemotherapy — it is ongoing and requires support in many areas of life.

Dietitians and nutrition counseling

Nutrition can play a vital role in cancer treatment. We provide access to dietitians to help support your body before, during and after treatment. Services are offered at no additional fee, and are available to begin at any stage of treatment.

Nurse navigators

Nurse navigators are specially trained members of our team who help schedule appointments, answer questions, provide resources and serve as overall go-to personnel for your cancer journey.

Oncology rehabilitation

We are proud partners with Oncology Rehab, a local center that provides physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to patients in all phases of their cancer treatments.

Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute clinical trials

Rocky Mountain Gynecologic Oncology is a part of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HCA HealthONE Swedish.

Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, is an international leader in cancer care, and because of this relationship, you will have access to advanced clinical trials provided by Sarah Cannon. Ask your provider to learn more about these opportunities.

In addition to our telehealth options, which allow you access to our services regardless of your location, our office also offers special programming to individuals traveling from out of town.

Many people travel from other states and regions at the referral of their providers or through their own research. For these individuals, we provide back-to-back consultations, which allow us to schedule all necessary appointments in sequence to maximize your time in town. To learn more about services and support for out-of-town patients, give us a call at (303) 781-9090.

In our dedication to providing accessible cancer services to our community, we offer personalized care on a bi-monthly basis in our Thornton clinic. Our compassionate doctor provides support at every stage of your cancer journey.