What is gynecologic cancer?
Gynecologic cancers attack a woman's reproductive organs, including the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva. Each year, approximately 82,000 women are diagnosed with cancer of the reproductive organs, including
ovarian cancer and
cervical cancer.
Who is at risk for gynecologic cancer?
The following are risk factors for different kinds of gynecologic cancers. Each cancer has its own general risk factors, and may affect women in various ways. Every woman is different, so talk to your doctor or gynecology oncology specialist about any questions or concerns you may have.
Risk factors include:
- Post menopausal (over age 50)
- Endometrial hyperplasia – a condition where the cells of the endometrium are abnormal
- Cervical dysplasia – a condition where the cervical cells are abnormal
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood sugar
- Other cancers (colon, rectal, breast)
- Early age of first menstruation
- Women who have never been pregnant
- Hormone-related issues
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
What are common symptoms of gynecologic cancers?
Women with the following symptoms should consult a gynecologic oncologist:
- A change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that does not heal
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump that either causes pain or can be seen in the pelvic area
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
Did you know?
Women who seek the care of a specially trained gynecology oncology specialist before any surgical or medical treatment increase their odds for total cure.
What gynecology oncology services are provided at The Cleveland Clinic?
- Access to the latest techniques in the management of gynecologic cancers including the newest drug treatments and access to clinical trials through our membership in the Gynecologic Oncology Group, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
- Minimally invasive surgery (robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery) used in the management of some early cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers, including lymph node dissections and other staging procedures.
- A gynecology chemotherapy unit located within the department for patient convenience and staffed by specially trained nurses.
- The Radiation Therapy Center provides the latest, most sophisticated radiation therapy equipment and the latest gynecology oncology treatments, such as interstitial therapy to custom -design delivery of radiation.
- Color Doppler flow imaging: studies that identify blood flow changes associated with early ovarian cancer tumor.
- The LEEP procedure, which uses state-of-the-art technology to remove precancerous cells from the cervix more easily.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Thanks to recent advances in understanding the cause of cervical cancer, screening for this disease has now become more accurate and therefore more preventable.
Cervical cancer is caused by the presence and persistence of the
human papilloma virus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted disease. The combined use of HPV testing and the traditional
pap test, especially in women over the age of 30 is now the new standard. Additionally, the availability of the
HPV vaccine will likely reduce the number of cervical cancer cases in the future.