AAMC Magazine

Fall 2006

Higher Goals

New Medical Director Raises the Bar for Advanced Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Women who are facing gynecologic surgery should know that the day of long hospital stays, painful recoveries and 6-inch scars are over, except in rare instances.

Albert Steren, M.D., the new medical director for gynecologic oncology and advanced laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center said, “Advanced minimally invasive surgery is fast becoming the treatment of choice for women facing gynecologic surgery. The recovery is much faster because of smaller incisions, less blood loss and less risk of infection. There is also much less internal scarring, which is important for women hoping to become pregnant. Hysterectomies, myomectomies and removal of ovarian cysts can be performed through minimally invasive procedures in many cases. Women who are facing surgery should know they have these options.”

At AAMC, women have these options. Karen Doyle, executive director of Women’s and Children’s and Surgical Services at the hospital said, “In addition to opening our Women’s Surgical Unit last year, where dedicated staff help women recover from gynecologic or breast cancer surgery, the addition of Dr. Steren adds another important component for women facing gynecologic surgery. We’re already known throughout the region as a leader in obstetrics and in breast cancer care, and we want to continue building on that reputation in caring for women in all stages of life. Dr. Steren will take advanced minimally invasive surgery to a higher level and provide women with the latest surgical options available.”

Dr. Steren, a leader in the field of advanced laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, treats women with malignant tumors as well as those with other gynecologic problems such as fibroids, cysts and endometriosis. He and Susan Peeler, M.D., medical initiative leader of the Women’s and Children’s Services, are excited about the hospital’s recent purchase of the advanced minimally invasive da Vinci® robotic surgical system. Dr. Steren said, “Robotics surgery is a big step in advanced minimally invasive surgery and will prove particularly beneficial to women with fibroids who are hoping to become pregnant.” (See our story on robotic surgery.)

In addition to expertise in gynecologic surgical procedures, Dr. Steren also treats women non-surgically for gynecologic cancers. He was appointed in July to the Maryland Council of Cancer Control by Governor Robert Ehrlich. (See story below).

While Dr. Steren said he sees the advancement in surgical equipment and medicine as mighty weapons against many forms of gynecologic cancer, the silent killer—ovarian cancer—is still eluding the best that medicine can offer. “At this time, there is no good screening for ovarian cancer, and unfortunately women don’t develop symptoms until the cancer has progressed.” He said, however, “there is optimism about a new proteomic blood test currently in clinical trials that women at AAMC have the opportunity to participate in.”

For more information about advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, please call askAAMC at 443-481-4000.

Breakthrough Vaccine to Treat Cervical Cancer

In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause precancerous genital lesions and cervical cancer. The vaccine is approved for use in females 9-26 years of age.

Dr. Albert Steren, AAMC medical director for gynecologic oncology and advanced laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at AAMC, was recently appointed by the governor to the Maryland Council of Cancer Control and is writing the recommendations for the state on Gardasil.

Dr. Steren said that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States with about 6.2 million Americans becoming infected each year.

On average, he said, there are 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,700 related deaths in the United States each year. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Not all women who contract HPV will develop cervical cancer, but some HPV types can cause abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix that years later can turn into cancer.

Gardasil is given in three injections over a six-month period. Dr. Steren pointed out that females are not protected if they have been infected with that HPV type(s) prior to vaccination, so it’s important to receive the immunization before potential exposure to the virus. He said the vaccine will be available through pediatrician and gynecology offices.

For more information, please call askAAMC at 443-481-4000.

Back to this issue's table of contents

Back to the complete AAMC Magazine index