Any cancer that develops in a woman's reproductive organs is referred to as gynecologic cancer. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it first appears. Gynecologic cancers start in different places within a woman’s pelvis, which is the region below the stomach and in between the hip bones.
Types of Gynecologic Cancer
It begins in the cervix, which is the lower and narrow end of the uterus. The uterus is also known as the womb.
It begins in the ovaries, which are present on each side of the uterus.
It begins in the uterus, which is a pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis where the baby develops when she is pregnant.
It starts in the vagina, which is the hollow tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
It begins in the vulva, which is the outer part of the female genital organs.
Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers
Each gynecologic cancer is unique, with different signs and symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Gynecologic cancers are highly prevalent in women and the risk increases with age. When gynecologic cancers are detected early, treatment is most effective. Symptoms vary depending on the organ that’s affected and should always be evaluated by your surgeon.
Any gynecologic cancer may be accompanied by the following:
All these can occur with ovarian cancer but not all patients will have those symptoms. Symptoms of vulvar cancer include itching and soreness along with a visible lesion. An area of skin on the vulva may have a different color than the surrounding skin.
So far, only cervical cancer has regular screening tests which include Pap smear and HPV testing. Because symptoms of initial-stage gynecologic cancers are often vague and can also be caused by other, less severe conditions, doctors encourage women to have periodic gynecologic exams to check for signs of disease. To know more, get an appointment with a top gynecologist oncologist in Bangalore.
Diagnosis of Gynecologic Cancers
To diagnose gynecologic cancers, doctors perform a physical examination, review a patient's medical history, and run one or more diagnostic tests.
During the physical exam, the surgeon will examine for signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers and determine the patient’s overall health. It may involve a pelvic examination.
The doctor will review the patient's medical record, inquire about symptoms, and determine if there are any risk factors for gynecologic cancer.
Different diagnostic tests are performed to diagnose gynecologic cancers, including:
It is used to estimate the level of tumour markers and other blood components that may be indicative of cancer.
These tests are used to generate images of the internal tissues of the abdomen and pelvis, and allow doctors to visually identify tumours and other abnormalities. The most common imaging tests used for diagnosing gynecologic cancers are ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, and computed tomography (CT) scans.
This test involves removing cells from the cervix to be analyzed in the laboratory. The pathologist examines the cells under a microscope to see if cancer is present. The test is used to identify cervical cancer.
To confirm the cancer diagnosis, a biopsy is required. A biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of tissue for lab testing. For gynecologic cancers, biopsies may be done using an image-guided needle during a minimally invasive procedure, via open surgery, or using other specialized instruments. After a tissue sample is collected, a pathologist examines it under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.
Types of Treatment of cancer
There are several ways to treat gynecologic cancer. The treatment depends on the cancer type and how far it has spread. Chemotherapy, Radiation, and surgery are all possible forms of treatment. Gynecologic cancer patients frequently receive multiple types of treatment.
In surgery, surgeons remove cancer tissue in an operation.
Using special drugs to shrink or destroy cancer. The drugs can be in the form of pills or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to destroy cancer.
Different doctors may provide different treatments as part of your medical team.
Cancer Therapy India is one of the best gynecologic cancer hospitals in Bangalore. We have a top gynecologist oncologist in Bangalore who offers comprehensive treatment and cares for all women's related health conditions.
