Gynecologic Cancer

By:Lisa Fayed,

Women and Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancer is a group of cancers that affect tissues and organs of the female reproductive system. Each type of cancer is named after the organ it originates.

Fast Fact About Gynecologic Cancer

According to the forthcoming United States Cancer Statistics (USCS): 2002 Incidence and Mortality Report (available November 2005)

• More than 71,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer.
  
  
• More than 27,000 women in the United States died from some form of gynecologic cancer.
  
  
• is the most common gynecologic cancer. [link url=http://cancer.about.com/od/symptoms/index.htm]Ovarian cancer is the most deadly gynecologic cancer.
• Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death for women in the United States; however, during the past four decades, incidence and mortality have declined significantly.
  
  
• Other cancers of the female reproductive system are less common.
  
  
• Vulvar cancer, for example, accounts for only 4 percent of cancers in the female reproductive organs. Vaginal cancer accounts for approximately 3 percent of cancers of the female reproductive system.

Types of Gynecological Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer affects the cervix, which is the opening into the uterus, or womb. Cervical cancer used to be one of the most deadliest cancers, however now that more women are getting Pap smears on a regular basis, the prognosis is much better.

Vulvar Cancer

Cancer of the vulva, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the vulva. The vulva is the outer part of a woman’s vagina. The vagina is the passage between the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows) and the outside of the body. It is also called the birth canal.

Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is a rare kind of cancer in women. It is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods and through which a woman has babies. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus) and the vulva (the folds of skin around the opening to the vagina).

Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer is a disease of the uterus, or womb. There are two types of uterine cancer, the most common being endometrial cancer. Uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries in the female reproductive system. It is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages and is considered the deadliest gynecologic cancer.



Adapted from the CDC and National Cancer Institute
source:about.com