Gynecological Cancer

Cancer is a disease where cells in a particular part of the body begin to grow abnormally. When this occurs in the uterus, the cancer type is determined by where it forms: the ovaries (ovarian), the uterine muscle wall (uterine), the uterine lining (endometrial), and the cervix (cervical). If you have been diagnosed with one of these types of cancer, you should know you're not alone – there are tens of thousands of women just like you who are diagnosed with gynecological cancer every year in the U.S.

One of the first steps to fighting cancer is to arm yourself with knowledge and learn as much as you can about the disease and how it's treated. These cancers are classified in different stages according to how long the cancer has been growing, how large it is, and the area of your body it is affecting. And most importantly, the earlier it is detected and treated, the better.

The symptoms of these cancers may include:

• Abnormal bleeding or spotting
• Vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain
• A mass or lump in the pelvic area
• Weight loss
• Pain during intercourse

Cancer of the ovaries may begin on the surface of the ovary (ovarian epithelial carcinomas) or in egg cells within the ovary (malignant germ cell tumors). It is estimated that roughly 22,000 cases of ovarian cancer with be diagnosed this year with almost 14,000 deaths. With ovarian cancer, there are no screening tests or examinations that can detect the cancer until you develop symptoms.⁹⁸

This is a rare type of cancer that forms in the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus. This cancer usually occurs after menopause. Currently, there are no screening tests or examinations that can detect this cancer until you develop symptoms.⁸⁴

The most common type of cancer affecting the female reproductive system, this affects the inner lining of the uterus (womb). The vast majority cases of uterine cancer are endometrial and, if caught in time, survival rates are good. More than half a million survivors of endometrial cancer have been reported. There are roughly 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year.⁸⁵ As with cancer of the uterine wall, there are no screening tests or examinations that can detect this cancer until you develop symptoms. If you have abnormal bleeding or are at high risk due to age or other factors, you should see your doctor.

The cervix is the lower section of the uterus where it joins to the vaginal canal. Cancer of the cervix begins in the cervical lining when cells develop precancerous changes, and is closely associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. If undetected, these changes will turn into cancer cells. These precancerous lesions can, however, be detected by regular pap tests and can be treated before they become cancerous, which greatly improves the chance of successful treatment. Due to increased usage of pap tests and better prevention, the number of deaths from cervical cancer has dropped 70% since 1955.⁸⁶ According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 12,000 cases were expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2010.⁸⁶

If you haven't already, it's important to talk with your doctors to determine what kind of treatment is recommended for your particular case. There are a range of treatments for these cancers, including one or a combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and surgery.

If surgery is recommended, you should know that there may be a range of procedure options available to you. For example, minimally invasive techniques where only small incisions are required might be appropriate for you. These typically reduce the pain and scarring after surgery and may help you recover more quickly.

Talk to Your Doctor about Gynecological Cancer

It's important for you to learn as much as possible about your gynecological cancer and treatment options, and your doctor is your best resource. Here are some questions for you to get the conversation started:

• What type of cancer do I have?
• How advanced is it?
• Will I need any additional tests to determine the stage of the cancer?
• How much time do I have to make a decision?
• Do we know if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body?
• What is your experience treating my type of cancer?

• Do I need surgery?
• What kind of surgery do I need?
• Do I need to have my uterus removed?
• Do we have to remove more than just the uterus?
• What about my ovaries? My cervix? What are the risks involved in leaving them in my body?
• How effective will radiation or chemotherapy be in my situation?
• Is a minimally invasive procedure an option for my condition?
• If I need a hysterectomy, what are the risks and benefits of the other kinds of hysterectomies?
• Would I need chemotherapy or radiation before surgery? After surgery?
• How will you know if all of the cancer has been removed?
• In your experience, which treatment would give me the best quality of life?
• What is the chance that my cancer will come back somewhere else in my body?

Once you've been referred to a surgeon, it's important to continue the conversation about your procedure. Only your surgeon can decide whether or not you're a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure, but you should feel comfortable getting the best information.

To locate a surgeon in your area experienced in minimally invasive procedures for hysterectomy, use our Find a Physician tool.