We Treat
Gynecologic Cancers
Gynecologic cancers, while relatively uncommon, affect about 100,000 women in the United States each year. The good news is that these cancers are often very treatable, especially when detected early, and survival rates continue to improve.
Gynecologic cancer refers to any cancer that begins in a woman’s reproductive organs. This group includes five main types: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers, each named for the area within the reproductive system where they start.
Every type of gynecologic cancer is unique, with its own set of signs, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies. We are here to support you through this journey, helping you navigate the complexities and find a treatment plan that is tailored just for you. Our world-renowned experts in cancer care and clinical research are dedicated to offering you state-of-the-art, comprehensive care, ensuring you receive the best possible support and treatment.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers?
When signs and symptoms are present, the most common ones include:
- Persistent bloating or pain and discomfort in the abdominal or pelvic area
- Unexplained changes in appetite or feelings of fullness
- Urgency or frequency to urinate
- Changes in the menstruation cycle or discharge
- Itching or burning of the vulva
Risk Factors
Staging
Treatment
Clinical Trials
How are gynecologic cancers diagnosed?
Receiving a diagnosis for gynecologic cancers can be a difficult and emotional experience. Gynecologic cancers are often first diagnosed because of abdominal or reproductive symptoms, or from a routine screening test such as a PAP smear or gynecologic exam.
Following this, a variety of diagnostic tools are usually used to make a diagnosis. This can include blood tests to find tumor markers and other components of blood that may indicate cancer is present. Other tests may include imaging tests such as ultrasounds or computed tomography (CT) scans to create images of the organs and tissues inside the pelvis and abdomen and visualize any tumor growth.Â
Once you have a diagnosis, you won’t be alone. A dedicated team of cancer care experts who specialize in gynecologic cancers will be with you every step of the way. Your care team will likely include a gynecologic oncologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist. They are here to support you and provide the best possible care throughout your treatment journey.
Your care team may also include other clinical professionals, such as oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, genetic counselors and dietitians. These clinicians all work together to develop the treatment path that is right for you.
Risk factors for gynecologic cancers
A cancer risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of developing a disease like gynecologic cancer. However, it’s important to remember that having risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop cancer. Some women diagnosed with cancer have no known risk factors, while others with high-risk factors may never get cancer. It’s natural to feel concerned, but being aware of the factors that could increase your risk can empower you to take steps to help lower those risks. Your health and well-being are important and understanding these factors is a part of caring for yourself.
Common risk factors for gynecologic cancer can include:
- HPV infections
- Age
- Obesity
- Family history
- Undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- Smoking
- In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971
There are some factors that may help lower your risk, and it’s important to consider them in your journey towards better health. For instance, using oral contraceptives or birth control pills for at least 3 to 6 months can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, with the protective benefits increasing the longer the pills are used. However, it’s also important to be aware that oral contraceptives can raise the risk for other health issues, including cervical and breast cancer.
Additionally, women who have had full-term pregnancies before the age of 26 generally have a lower risk of certain gynecologic cancers compared to those who had their first full-term pregnancy after age 35. Breastfeeding is also suggested to have a protective effect. Taking these factors into account can help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Types of gynecologic cancers
Among the types of cancer in the women’s reproductive system the most common are:
- Cancer of the uterus, called uterine or endometrial cancer
– Uterine or endometrial cancer is typically a cancer of the lining of the uterus (also called the endometrium). Â Cancer of the uterine sarcoma, or the smooth muscle component of the uterus, is very rare. The most common warning sign for any uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. - Ovarian cancer
– Ovarian cancer originates in the ovaries and is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. This delay is largely due to the absence of early-stage symptoms or because the symptoms mimic those of common digestive and stomach issues. Additionally, there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer. - Cervical cancer
– Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cervix. Often, these conditions are discovered through routine screenings such as an HPV test or a Pap test. Sometimes, they are identified after symptoms begin to appear. If your physician is concerned that you may have gynecologic cancer or a condition that might lead to cancer, they will recommend a series of tests to understand your situation better. These tests might include a colposcopy or a biopsy. - Vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer
– Are cancers of the vagina and the vulva respectively. Both of these cancers are very rare, and are associated with smoking, HPV infections and chronic irritation.
Staging
Cancer staging refers to the process of determining the extent of cancer in the body, including the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other areas.
If you receive a cancer diagnosis your physician will determine the stage of your cancer to help guide your treatment plan. To do this, your physician will look at the extent of the primary tumor, any spread to nearby lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers are carefully evaluated using the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging system. This approach helps determine the clinical stage of the cancer through a combination of physical exams, biopsies, imaging tests and sometimes additional procedures like cystoscopy and proctoscopy.
Stage I
Stage 1
Cancer is confined to the organ of orgin with no evidence that it has spread to surrounding areas, lymph node or elsewhere in the body.
Stage III
Stage III
This indicates a tumor that has started to spread to distant nodes or tissue within the pelvis
Stage II
Stage II
This indicates a tumor that has started to spread to the surrounding organs or tissue.
Stage IV
Stage IV
This cancer has spread to more distant lymph nodes or internal organs.
Stage I
Stage 1
Cancer is confined to the organ of orgin with no evidence that it has spread to surrounding areas, lymph node or elsewhere in the body.
Stage II
Stage II
This indicates a tumor that has started to spread to the surrounding organs or tissue.
Stage III
Stage III
This indicates a tumor that has started to spread to distant nodes or tissue within the pelvis
Stage IV
Stage IV
This cancer has spread to more distant lymph nodes or internal organs.
How can gynecologic cancers be treated?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, please know that your care team at SCRI Oncology Partners is here to support you every step of the way. We will work together to create a treatment plan that meets both your medical and personal needs.
Surgery is a common approach for treating gynecologic cancers. Since imaging may not always reveal the full extent of the cancer, minimally invasive surgery is often used to accurately determine its stage. Depending on your individual case, surgery might be followed by chemotherapy to ensure the best possible outcome. There are various surgical options available, and your physician will recommend the best approach based on the stage of your cancer. Sometimes, multiple procedures can be performed during the same surgery to minimize your recovery time and improve your overall treatment experience.
Other treatments include the following:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Chemotherapy may be used to treat gynecologic cancers after surgery or before to shrink and halt cancer growth.Â
Radiation therapyÂ
Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy rays to target and eliminate cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy: external bema therapy and internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy).
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapy uses medicine to target cancer cells and stop or slow their growth. These medicines target the proteins that cause gynecologic cancers cells to grow and spread. They may be used alongside other treatments, like chemotherapy. Some targeted therapies may be used as a maintenance treatment for advanced gynecologic cancers in patients with or without a gene mutation.
Other TreatmentsÂ
There are also new innovative treatments for gynecologic cancers, including immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, lymph mode testing, and genetic testing. Talk with your healthcare team to see which of these treatments are best for you.Â
Gynecologic cancer clinical trials
Today’s clinical trials are tomorrow’s treatment options. A clinical trial can help determine if a treatment, drug or procedure shows a better way of treating a particular cancer or condition. At SCRI Oncology Partners we are committed to offering the latest clinical trials to improve your outcomes and ensure access to cutting-edge scientific advancements for our patients in the community.
If you are looking for a local oncologist in Nashville, Tennessee or you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for a gynecologic cancers through our collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in oncology research, the first step is to talk to our healthcare team.Â
Learn more about gynecological cancers
Can the HPV Vaccine Reduce the Danger of Cervical Cancer?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is spread through intimate, skin-to-skin contact. HPV comprises a group of more than 150 related viruses that thrive in the cells found on the skin’s surface or other moist (mucosal) surfaces.
Don’t Ignore These Signs and Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancer
Cancers that begin in the female reproductive system are called gynecologic cancers. This includes cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.