New Pelvic Cancer Survivorship Clinic at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Clinic provides surgical and therapeutic solutions for complications of pelvic cancer treatment

Innovations in Urology | Fall 2022

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and University Hospitals Urology Institute are thrilled to announce the opening of a new specialty clinic for female pelvic cancer survivors.

Advancements in the treatment of cancer at University Hospitals and nationwide have led to more and more people successfully overcoming the disease and enjoying longer, cancer-free lives. Cancer survivorship, however, can be soured by long-lasting side effects and secondary complications. The goal of University Hospitals Pelvic Cancer Survivorship Clinic is to provide comprehensive care to ensure that patients not only survive their cancer, but enjoy the highest quality of life possible during and after their treatment and recovery.

Providing the safety and support that many patients miss when they become cancer-free after months or years of treatment, the Pelvic Cancer Survivorship team works to aid patients through their transition from active treatment to recovery. Together, they monitor each patient for treatment side effects and develop personalized treatment plans to restore any genitourinary, bowel or sexual function that may have been compromised by cancer and/or cancer treatments through medications, physical therapy, minimally invasive procedures and/or reconstructive surgery.

The Pelvic Cancer Survivorship Clinic, located within UH Seidman Cancer Center, is staffed by experts in the highly specialized fields of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and female sexual health. The Pelvic Cancer Survivorship team works closely with oncologists and other specialists to restore pelvic organ function, optimize overall health and support psychological wellness in our patients.

“We have an incredibly talented team of female pelvic and sexual health providers here at University Hospitals. This Clinic gives us the opportunity to showcase that talent and bring attention to the often overlooked elements of cancer treatment,” says Joseph Welles Henderson, MD, OB/GYN/Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery specialist with UH Urology Institute and team member of the Pelvic Cancer Survivorship Clinic. “But really, helping these women through and after their fight with cancer is our only goal – we can’t wait to make an impact and get started.”

The clinic welcomes women who have been treated for, or are currently undergoing treatment for, a variety of pelvic and non-pelvic cancers, including breast, cervical, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, vulvar and blood cancers. Weekly Wednesday clinics will be held in Breen Women’s Health Pavilion at UH CMC.

If you or your patients/loved ones were treated for pelvic cancer and are now cancer-free, or are currently receiving care for pelvic cancer, our compassionate team would love to talk. Call 440-482-7500 to schedule an appointment. Visit the Pelvic Cancer Survivorship Clinic website to learn more.