|Gynecological cancers can occur in any of the
female reproductive organs. These types of cancers might include:
If some of the terms used in this section
are unfamiliar to you, please use our glossary.
The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive organs. They
are located in the pelvis, one of each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size
and shape of an almond. The ovaries have two functions: they produce eggs and female
Each month during the menstrual cycle an egg is released
from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.
The ovaries are the main source of female hormones
(estrogen and progesterone). These hormones control the development of female body
characteristics such as breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the
menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
There are several types of ovarian cancer. Most ovarian
cancers are epithelial carcinomas, which begin in the lining of the ovary.
Ovarian cancer is hard to find early. Often there are no
symptoms in the early stages and in many cases the cancer has spread by the time it is
found. Symptoms may include a swollen or bloated feeling or general discomfort in the
lower abdomen. These symptoms may be vague and may be caused by other conditions.
Ovarian cancer can be diagnosed with ultrasonography, CT or
CAT scans, a lower GI series or barium enema, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) (an x-ray of
the kidneys and ureters taken after the injection of a dye, or through a biopsy.
A biopsy is the only sure way to know if cancer is present.
Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on a number of
factors, including the stage of the disease, the woman's age and general health. Treatment
may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation or a combination of these.
As in many other cancers ovarian cancer is best treated
when it is discovered early. Women who have regular pelvic examinations increase the
chance that, if ovarian cancer occurs, it will be found before the disease causes
See our resource page on gynecological
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The uterus (also called the womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped
organ located in a woman's lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum. The narrow,
lower portion of the uterus is the cervix. The broader, upper part is the corpus. The
corpus is made up of two layers of tissue.
In women of childbearing age, the inner layer of the uterus
(endometrium) goes through a series of monthly changes know as the menstrual cycle. Each
month, endometrial tissue grows and thickens in preparation to receive a fertilized egg.
Menstruation occurs when this tissue is not used and passes out through the vagina. The
outer layer of the corpus (myometrium) is a muscle that expands during pregnancy to hold
the growing fetus.
Because most uterine cancer develops in the endometrium,
cancer of the uterus also is called endometrial cancer.
Abnormal bleeding after menopause is the most common
symptom of cancer of the uterus. Bleeding may begin as a watery, blood-streaked discharge.
Later the discharge may contain more blood.
Cancer of the uterus does not often occur before menopause,
but it does occur around the time menopause begins. The reappearance of bleeding should
not be considered simply part of menopause; it should always be checked by a doctor.
Abnormal bleeding is not always a sign of cancer but it
should always be checked by a doctor. Early diagnosis is especially important for cancer
of the uterus.
Cancer of the uterus can be diagnosed definitively only
with a biopsy. This can be done with an endometrial biopsy or with an outpatient surgery
called a D and C in which the doctors widens the cervix and inserts an instrument into the
uterus to remove a sample of tissue.
Uterine cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation, and sometimes with hormone therapy. Patients who have had breast cancer or a
family history of breast cancer must bring this to their doctor's attention so the proper
treatment can be arranged. See our resource page
on gynecological cancers.
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The cervix is the narrow, lower portion of the uterus. It
opens into the vagina (birth canal), which leads to the outside of the body.
Early cervical cancer seldom causes symptoms. It can be
detected only by a pelvic exam and a Pap test. If the pelvic exam or Pap test shows any
abnormality the doctor will do more tests to find out what the problem is.
A biopsy is the only definitive test for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers. Six
percent of all cancers in women are cervical cancers. When cervical cancer spreads it
usually travels through the lymphatic system. For this reason surgeons often remove lymph
nodes near the uterus to learn whether they contain cancer cells.
Treatment for cervical cancer can include surgery,
radiation, or chemotherapy or a combination of these depending on the stage of the cancer,
and the general health of the woman. See our resource
page on gynecological cancers.
Women facing gynecological cancers may
wish to share their experiences on the web site Eyes On The Prize at http://www.eyesontheprize.org
This site provides a caring, moderated environment in which women with reproductive
cancers can express their experiences and share information.
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material for this page excerpted from NIH documents