Gynecologic cancers: the basics.

Many women don't know much about gynecologic cancers. But, experts say, awareness is key for identifying your risks for developing these diseases and for recognizing their symptoms early on, when treatment has the best chance of success. Learn more here about risk factors and symptoms, as well as screening tests, treatment and prevention. Be sure to discuss any questions you may have about gynecologic cancer with your health care professional.

CANCER                 RISK                     ANNUAL
TYPE                   FACTORS                  INCIDENCE

Ovarian                Age; family history;     25,580 diagnoses and
                       infertility; not having  16,090 deaths a year (2)

                       children; BRCA1 or
                       BRCA2 genetic
                       mutations or a family
                       history of hereditary
                       non-polyposis colon
                       cancer (HNPCC syndrome)
Cervical               Failure to receive       10,520 cases diagnosed
                       regular cervical cancer  annually, 3,900
                       screenings; early age    deaths (2)
                       at first intercourse;
                       smoking; HPV and HIV
                       infection (14)
Uterine/endometrial    Obesity; hypertension;   40,320 diagnoses a year
(cancer cells form in  diabetes; inappropriate  and about 7,090
the lining of the      estrogen use; tamoxifen  deaths (2)
uterus)                use; late
                       menopause; (14) never
                       being pregnant. High
                       risk may be inherited,
                       for example, having
                       HNPCC syndrome.
Uterine/sarcomas       Occurs more frequently   800 to 1,000 cancers a
(cancer cells form in  in women with history    year (representing 2 to
the muscle of the      of pelvic radiation      4 percent of all uterine
uterus or its          therapy and in           cancers) (2)
connective tissue      African-American women.
instead of in the      Some concern that use
lining)                of tamoxifen may
                       increase risk. (15)
Vaginal                Advanced age (60 and     About 2,000 women
                       older); HPV infection    diagnosed a year (2)
                       and cervical cancer;
                       chronic inflammation
Vulvar                 Diabetes; advanced age   About 4,000 women
                       (70 and older); chronic  diagnosed a year (2)
                       vulvar irritations; HPV
                       infection; smoking;
                       immunosuppression

CANCER                                          TESTS FOR
TYPE                    SYMPTOMS                SCREENING/DIAGNOSIS

Ovarian                Bloating; fatigue; back  No validated screening
                       pain; gastrointestinal   tests available. Vaginal
                       distress; changes in     ultrasound, CA-125,
                       bowel and bladder        pelvic exam and biopsy
                       patterns. Symptoms are   all contribute to
                       constant and get worse   diagnosis.
                       as time goes on.
Cervical               Bleeding after           Pap test; regular
                       intercourse; excessive   gynecologic exams;
                       vaginal discharge;       screening for HPV virus
                       abnormal bleeding        (when appropriate)
                       between periods. (14)
Uterine/endometrial    Any bleeding after       Annual pelvic
(cancer cells form in  menopause, or abnormal   exams; (15) uterine
the lining of the      vaginal bleeding before  biopsy, when appropriate
uterus)                menopause. (14)
Uterine/sarcomas       Abnormal vaginal         None
(cancer cells form in  bleeding, particularly
the muscle of the      during the post-
uterus or its          menopausal period;
connective tissue      pelvic pain or
instead of in the      pressure; fibroids that
lining)                grow rapidly. (16)
Vaginal                May not produce any      Routine pelvic exams,
                       symptoms; abnormal       Pap test
                       vaginal discharge,
                       bleeding or low pelvic
                       pressure can be
                       symptoms
Vulvar                 Itching, burning,        Regular Pap tests,
                       bleeding, pain or a      pelvic exams and
                       lump in the vulvar area  examination of the vulva
                                                for changes.

CANCER
TYPE                   TREATMENT                 PREVENTION

Ovarian                Surgery to remove uterus  Use of oral
                       and ovaries and cancer;   contraceptives; early
                       chemotherapy; rarely      childbearing;
                       radiation. Disease is     breastfeeding; removal
                       being treated more often  of uterus, fallopian
                       today as a chronic        tubes and ovaries, in
                       disease.                  some cases
Cervical               Simple or radical         Regular Pap tests;
                       hysterectomy (early       monogamy and practicing
                       stage); chemotherapy and  safe sex by using
                       radiation (late stage)    condoms
Uterine/endometrial    Hysterectomy;             Maintaining a healthy
(cancer cells form in  chemotherapy and/or       weight; exercising
the lining of the      radiation, as necessary.  regularly; following a
uterus)                                          healthy diet; keeping
                                                 blood sugar and blood
                                                 pressure under control.
                                                 Possibly, a total
                                                 hysterectomy, for women
                                                 at high risk.
Uterine/sarcomas       Hysterectomy with         None
(cancer cells form in  removal of fallopian
the muscle of the      tubes and, possibly,
uterus or its          lymph nodes, followed
connective tissue      by chemotherapy.
instead of in the
lining)
Vaginal                Surgery and radiation     Stopping smoking;
                                                 treating early
                                                 precancerous HPV-
                                                 related lesions;
                                                 scheduled pelvic exams
Vulvar                 Surgical removal of       Self-examination (with
                       vulvar lesions and groin  a mirror)
                       lymph nodes; radiation