6 Gynaecologic Cancers Women Need to Be Aware Of

When you hear of gynecologic cancer, it is typically about the five most common types found in women. However, you will see that there is a very rare sixth type of gynecologic cancer that is not often mentioned when speaking of cancer screening and treatment. Whether there are five or six to be aware of isn’t really as important as getting regular screening as recommended by the NHS and subsequent cancer treatment if irregular cells are found during the screening. Let’s take a look at the five most common gynecologic cancers and a least a cursory mention of the sixth.

1. Cervical Cancer

Of all the types of gynecologic cancers, only cervical cancer has a screening test. Because of this, if pre-cancer or cancer cells are found early, it is the most treatable cancer. Since there are no real screening tests for the other types mentioned below, they are often diagnosed based on symptoms that require further diagnostics. Actually, screening for cervical cancer is done by a smear during an exam in which doctors look for the presence of the human papillomavirus which causes those irregular cells. If this type of HPV is determined, it labels the test results as “high risk” and then other tests are run. If these cells are not present, no other screening is done at this time.

2. Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is usually found when certain symptoms are present. These could include such things as pain after sex, abnormal discharge, bleeding and/or a lump or mass in the vagina. A gynaecologist will often perform a vaginal exam and if an irregularity is found or suspected, further tests will be run. As with any of the gynecologic cancers, if cancer is present your doctor will refer you to a cancer treatment centre such as those in the Circle Health Group. Here, specialists will discuss options in treatment which could include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, among other recognised treatments meant to cure or add quality of life for the recently diagnosed.

3. Ovarian Cancer

While there is no screening available for ovarian cancer, there are two tests that can be run to determine if you are suffering from this form of gynecologic cancer. One would be a transvaginal ultrasound, often referred to as TVUS and a blood test called the CA125. Unlike cervical cancer tests, these tests are looking for the presence of cancer whereas cervical screening looks for irregular cells that ‘can’ become cancerous.

4. Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer also does not have a screening test for the presence of precancerous cells. However, like ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, and the rare form of gynecologic cancer that will be mentioned in a moment, cancer in the fallopian tubes, the test involves a TVUS scan. This is a form of ultrasound that is conducted by a wand being inserted into the vagina. The doctor conducting the test uses live visuals at the time, but pictures are taken to be read later to get a better look at anything that might be irregular. More advanced cancers are easier to find in these tests, but early cancers may need further inspection and diagnostics.

5. Vulvar Cancer

While vulvar cancer can be found in women of any age, it is most often found in older women. It happens to be one of the forms of gynecologic cancer that is easiest to determine, even by the woman herself. Vulvar cancer is found on the outer surface of female genitalia. It is a growth on the vulva which is the skin that surrounds the vagina and urethra but also includes the labia and clitoris.

Most often this type of cancer is found as a lump that quite often itches or bleeds. The type of treatment for vulvar cancer most often involves surgery to remove the mass and any tissue surrounding it. If it is found early, as with all types of gynecologic cancers, it can be treated more easily. In this case, it means that the surgery probably won’t be as extensive.

6. Fallopian Tube Cancer – Extremely Rare

Sometimes fallopian tube cancer is referred to as tubal cancer and it is found in the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus. Of all types of gynecologic cancer, tubal cancer is so rare that it only amounts to somewhere between 1% and 2% of all gynecologic forms of cancer and worldwide, less than 2,000 cases of fallopian tube cancer have been reported.

While cervical cancer is the only form of gynecologic cancer in which screening can diagnose a predisposition to contract cancer of the cervix based on the presence of HPV, it doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t be aware of changes in their bodies. Any small sign such as abnormal pain, bleeding or discharge should be reported to your doctor at your very earliest opportunity because the earlier cancers are diagnosed, the better an outcome can be expected.