About me
Irina Tunnage, DO, MHS, is a fellowship-trained gynecological oncologist practicing at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Tunnage specializes in the treatment of gynecologic diseases and malignancies including cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vulva. Her clinical interests include biomarker and molecular-driven therapies as well as immunotherapies in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. She is also dedicated to identifying ways to bridge gaps in disparities to care.
Dr. Tunnage is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous medical meetings. She earned her medical degree at Touro University California, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Vallejo, California followed by a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center/MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. She then went on to complete a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at New York University, New York. She is proficient in Russian as well as English.
Philosophy of care
“My philosophy of care is to focus on individualized, patient-centered cancer care, encompassing surgery and chemotherapy, as well as integrative medicine in treating patients and their families. I believe that every patient has unique needs and values that should be addressed during their cancer care. I use state-of-the-art surgical techniques, including robotics, along with targeted novel therapeutics to achieve the best outcomes for my patients.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Cervical Cancer
- Endometriosis
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Malignant Neoplasm
- Ovarian Cancer
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Pain
- Bartholin's Gland Diseases
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervix Uteri Disorders
- Endometrial Cancer
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Female Genital Pain
- Female Genital Tract Polyp
- Female Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Leiomyoma Of Uterus
- Malignant Neoplasm
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Cervix Uteri
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Female Genital Organs
- Maternal Care For Fetal Problems
- Maternal Diseases
- Menstrual Disorders
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts And Benign Neoplasms
- Ovarian Dysfunction
- Ovary, Fallopian Tube And Broad Ligament Disorders
- Painful Urination
- Peritoneum Disorders
- Postpartum Hemorrhage
- Tubal Pregnancy
- Uterine And Vaginal Bleeding Abnormalities
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Fibroids
- Uterus Problems
- Vagina And Vulva Inflammation And Infections
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulva And Perineum Disorders
- Vulvar Cancer
Procedures I perform
- Cervical Cryotherapy
- Colposcopy
- Endometrial Ablation
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Gynecologic Cancer Treatment
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- Uterine Cancer
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Navigate
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- TRICARE East Prime
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Sentara Health
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- Medicare FFS
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Open POS II
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- HealthyBlue PPO
- First Health PPO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Beech Street PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- IH-POS Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open HMO
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Choice POS II
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CareFirst Administrators
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- UHC Passport
- CIGNA EPO
- IH-PPO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- OA Plus
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- TRICARE for Life East
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Employee Health Plan
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CIGNA PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-POS
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open POS Plus
- POS OA
- Medicare Direct
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst NASCO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- First Health PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Choice POS
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- HighMark
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst EPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fellowship: New York University (2023)
Residency: MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2020)
Medical School: Touro University California - College of Osteopathic Medicine (2016)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
PUBLICATIONS - PEER REVIEWED
Heisler, E; Tunnage, I; Growdon, W. Radiation recall dermatitis during treatment of endometrial cancer with pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib: a case report. Gyneclogic Oncology Reports. 2023 July.
Stasenko, M; Tunnage, I; Ashley, C; Rubinstein, M; Latham, A; Da Cruz Paula, A; Mueller, J; Leitao, M; Friedman, C; Makker, V; Soslow, R; DeLair, D; Hyman, D; Zamarin, D; Alektiar, K; Aghajanian, C; Abu-Rustum, N; WEigelt; B. Clinical Outcomes of Patients with POLE Mutated Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer. Gynecologic Oncology. 2020 Jan; 156(1):194-202.
Bowles-Johnson, G; Tunnage, I; Caiseda, D; Khalilian, S; Al Refaie, W; Fischer, J. Simulation Model for Retroperitoneal Dissection: Can Improve Surgical Skills for Complicated Open Laparotomy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 132(4):53S, October 2018.
Schunke KJ, Rosati LM, Zahurak M, Herman JM, Narang AK, Usach I, Klein, AP; Yeo, CJ; Korman, LT; Hruban, RH; Cameron, JL; Lahero, DA; Abrams, RA. Long-term Analysis of 2 Prospective Studies that Incorporate Mitomycin C into an Adjuvant Chemoradiation Regimen for Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer. Advances in Radiation Oncology. 2017 Aug 3;3(1):42-51.
Brooks, Rebecca; Blansit, Kevin; Young-Lin, Nichole; Usach, Irina; Chen, Lee May; Yu, Xinhua; Kapp, Daniel; Chan, John. The Economic Impact of Surgical Care for Morbidly Obese Endometrial Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016 Apr; 214(4):498 e1-6
Usach, I, Sakopoulos, Andreas; Razavi, Hossein. Complete Resolution of Post-Operative Hemiparesis following Carotid Endarterectomy with Therapeutic Hypothermia: A case study and literature review. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 2015 August; 26(6):1319 e15-17.
Usach, Irina, Blansit, Kevin; Chen, Lee May; Ueda, Stephanie; Brooks, Rebecca; Kapp, Daniel; Chan, John. Survival Differences in Women with Serous Tubal, Ovarian, Peritoneal, and Uterine Carcinomas. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2015 Feb;212(2):188.e1-6.
Stein, JC; Wang, R; Adler, N; Boscardin, J; Jacoby, V; Won, G; Goldstein, R; Kohn, M. Emergency Physician Ultrasonography for Evaluating Patients at Risk for Ectopic Pregnancy: A Meta-Analysis. Annals of Emergency Medicine 56.6 (2010): 674-83.
PUBLICATIONS – BOOK CHAPTERS
Tunnage, I and Deering, S. Practical Manual to Labor and Delivery, Induction of Labor. Bethesda, MD: Cambridge University Press. 2018. Print.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Tunnage, I; Lewis, D; Liao, C-I; Caesar, M; Chan, C; Lee, D; Rohatagi, A; Darcy, K; Tian, C; Boyd, L; Kapp, D; Chan, JK. Clear cell ovarian cancer in native Asians compared to US Asians – is there a difference? IGCS Annual Global Meeting, Rome, Italy. August 2021.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Tunnage, I; Lara, O; Misirlioglu, S; Doro Pereira, L; Adbelrahman, S; Levine, D; Hacker, K. PARP and ABCB1 (MDR1) inhibitor treatment of ovarian cancer cell lines and PDX models demonstrate no synergistic effect. SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Phoenix, AZ. March 2020.
Liao C; Lewis, D; Tunnage, I; Caesar, M; Chan, C; Lee, D; Rohatagi, A; Darcy, K; Tian, C; Kapp, D; Chan J. The rate of germ cell and sex cord stromal ovarian cancer is increasing at different rates in the US and in Asia – why? SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Phoenix, AZ. March 2022.
Lewis, D; Tunnage, I; Liao, C; Casear, M; Chan, C; Lee, D; Rohatagi, A; Darcy, K; Tian, C; Kapp, D; Chan, J. Feasibility of international trials of rare epithelial ovarian cancers. Trengs in the US and Asia. SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Phoenix, AZ. March 2022.
Hughes-Hogan, L; Tunnage, I; Haseltine, M; Nelson, R; Stasenko, M. Sexual orientation and gender identity reporting in oncology patients. IGCS Annual Global Meeting, Rome, Italy. August 2021.
Tunnage, I; Liao, C-I; Lewis, D; Caesar, M; Chan, A; Lee, D; Rohatagi, A; Darcy, K; Tian, C; Boyd, L; Kapp, D; Chan, JK. Increasing trends of ovarian and uterine carcinosarcoma: a United States cancer statistics study. IGCS Annual Global Meeting, Rome, Italy. August 2021.
Stasenko, M; Tunnage, I; Charles, A; Rubinstein, M; Latham, A; Mueller, J; Leitao, M; Friedman, C; Makker, V; Soslow, R; Weigelt, B; DeLair, D; Hyman, D; Zamarin, D; Aghajanian, C; Abu-Rustum, N; Cadoo, K. Clinical outcomes of patients with POLE mutated endometrioid endometrial cancer. Featured Poster Presentation. Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, Honolulu, HI. March 2019. Best Clinical Practice Poster Award.
Stasenko, M; Tunnage, I; Charles, A; Rubinstein, M; Latham, A; Mueller, J; Leitao, M; Friedman, C; Makker, V; Soslow, R; Weigelt, B; DeLair, D; Hyman, D; Zamarin, D; Aghajanian, C; Abu-Rustum, N; Cadoo, K. Clinical outcomes of patients with POLE mutated endometrioid endometrial cancer. Poster Presentation. Society of Gynecologic Oncology Winter Meeting, Lake Tahoe, CA. February 2019. Best Clinical Practice Poster Award.
Bowles-Johnson, G; Tunnage, I; Caiseda, D; Khalilian, S; Al Refaie, W; Fischer, J. Simulation Model for Retroperitoneal Dissection: Can Improve Surgical Skills for Complicated Open Laparotomy. Poster Presentation. Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD. February 2018.
Tunnage, I; Chan, JK. Survival differences of clear cell ovarian and uterine carcinoma. Poster Presentation. Medstar Health Research Symposium, Bethesda, MD. May 2017.
Tunnage, I; Chan, JK. Survival differences of clear cell ovarian and uterine carcinoma. Poster Presentation. Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD. March 2017.
Usach, I. Blansit, K; Chen LM; Ueda, S; Brooks, R; Kapp, D; Chan, JK. Clear Cell Uterine vs. Ovarian Carcinoma Patients: Is there a difference in survival. Western Association of Gynecologic Oncology, Annual Meeting, Lake Tahoe CA. June 2014.
Usach, I. Blansit, K; Chen, LM; Ueda, S; Brooks, R; Kapp, D; Chan, JK. The economic impact associated with caring for the morbidly obese with endometrial cancer – how do we allocate our resources? Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL. March 2014.