Gynecologic Cancers are cancers that begin in a woman’s reproductive organs. There are 5 types of gynecologic cancers:
- Cervical Cancer is the cancer originating in the cervix, the narrow end of the cervix
- Ovarian Cancer begins in the ovaries located on either side of uterus
- Uterine Cancer begins in the uterus, also known as the womb
- Vulvar Cancer originated in the vulva, the outer part of the genital organs
- Vaginal Cancer is the cancer that begins in the vagina
Each gynecologic cancer is unique with different signs & symptoms and different treatment approaches. Most of the cancers in early stages are treated with surgery. Advanced stages may be treated with Radiotherapy or chemotherapy, with surgery forming a part of treatment.
Cervical cancer
Early stage cancers are treated with surgery. Surgery is usually in the form of Radical hysterectomy i.e., Removal of the uterus with its surrounding tissues along with a pelvic lymphadenectomy i.e., removal of lymph nodes which drain the uterus.
This surgery can be done by a conventional open surgery or by a laparoscopic (key hole) surgery.
Endometrial cancer :
Surgery forms the main stay of treatment for endometrial cancers. Surgery would include a Hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries, pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes and Omental biopsy.Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for endometrial cancer
Ovarian cancer :
Early stage cancers are treated with primary surgery.But majority of the patients usually present with spread to the lymph nodes or to the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen). These patients are usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.
Patients with recurrent ovarian cancers with disease in the peritoneum can be treated with Cytoreductive surgery(CRS) + HIPEC
What are the risk factors of Gynecologic Cancers?
- Family History
- Obesity
- Age
- HPV