therapies
Learn Cancer definitions
What is Gynecological Cancer?
© 2003 She's A Cancer Survivor
Definitions of gynecological cancers in plain, easy to understand language: • Vulvar Cancer VULVAR CANCER There is a "semi" new cancer that many women are not aware exists. It is called Vulvar Cancer, and it's a devastating disease. Many women who have acquired this disease have suffered complete radical vulvectomies. This is when the outer female genitals are surgically removed. According to Oncologists in the field of Gynecological Cancers, Vulvar Cancer can be caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted disease. HPV is known to possibly cause other gynecological cancers such as some Cervical Cancers and Vaginal Cancers. Many women are not aware that this virus even exists or that it can cause cancer. We hope to change that through this web site. Hopefully, women can learn all they need to know about VC and what types of treatments are available. In turn, we hope women will find the support they need here through others who are walking in the same shoes. It is imperative that women unite and keep each other informed. VAGINAL CANCER Cancer of the vagina, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods and through which a woman has babies. It is also called the "birth canal". The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus) and the vulva (the folds of skin around the opening to the vagina). There are two types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma. Squamous carcinoma is usually found in women between the ages of 60 and 80. Adenocarcinoma is more often found in women between the ages of 12 and 30. Young women whose mothers took DES (diethylstilbestrol) are at risk for getting tumors in their vaginas. Some of them get a rare form of cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma. The drug DES was given to pregnant women between 1945 and 1970 to keep them from losing their babies (miscarriage). A doctor should be seen if there are any of the following: • Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods. A doctor may use several tests to see if there is cancer. The doctor will usually begin by giving the patient an internal (pelvic) examination. The doctor will feel for lumps and will then do a Pap smear. Using a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick, the doctor will gently scrape the outside of the cervix and vagina in order to pick up cells. Some pressure may be felt, but usually with no pain. If cells that are not normal are found, the doctor will need to cut a small sample of tissue (called a biopsy) out of the vagina and look at it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. The doctor should look not only at the vagina, but also at the other organs in the pelvis to see where the cancer started and where it may have spread. The doctor may take an x-ray of the chest to make sure the cancer has not spread to the lungs. The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the vagina or has spread to other places) and the patient's general state of health. UTERINE CANCER The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows. Cancer of the endometrium is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus. OVARIAN CANCER Cancer of the ovary is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the ovary. The ovary is a small organ in the pelvis that makes female hormones and holds egg cells which, when fertilized, can develop into a baby. There are 2 ovaries: one located on the left side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows) and one located on the right. Ovarian tumors of low malignant potential are considered borderline cancer. Approximately 15% of all cancers of the lining of the ovary (epithelial ovarian cancers) are low malignant potential tumors. These tumors are usually found early. Most women, however, survive even advanced stage ovarian low malignant potential tumors. Patients who do not survive usually die from complications of the disease (such as a small bowel obstruction) or the side effects of treatment, but rarely because the tumor has spread. CERVICAL CANCER Cervical cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). The cervix leads from the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which cells that are not normal begin to appear in the cervical tissue. Later, cancer cells start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for development of cervical cancer. Infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Not all women with HPV infection, however, will develop cervical cancer. Other possible risk factors include the following: • Giving birth to many children. There are usually no noticeable signs of early cervical cancer but it can be detected early with yearly check-ups. Early cervical cancer may not cause noticeable signs or symptoms. Possible signs of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. These and other symptoms may be caused by cervical cancer or by other conditions. |