UMCCC Gynecologic Oncology: Gynecologic Cancer Awareness

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		Home > Cancer and Treatments > Gynecologic Cancers Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Gynecologic Cancer Facts Every seven minutes a woman is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Each year approximately 82,550 women in the United States are diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer. All women should begin cervical cancer testing (screening) about 3 years after they start having sex (vaginal intercourse). A regular Pap test should be done every year. If the newer liquid-based Pap test is used, testing can be done every 2 years. A woman who waits until she is over 18 to have sex should start screening no later than age 21. Gynecologic cancers are caused by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells originating in the female reproductive organs: the cervix ovaries uterus fallopian tubes vagina vulva September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month This page has been compiled to help you learn more about childhood cancers and the latest treatments and research advances. Information \| News \| Resources \| Take Action Information Risk factors: smoking aging environmental influences family history failure to receive regular pap tests not bearing children infertility obesity hypertension diabetes estrogen use Warning signs and symptoms unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge a sore that does not heal pain or pressure in the pelvic area a persistent change in bowel or bladder habits frequent indigestion or abdominal bloating a thickening or lump that either causes pain or can be seen or felt. Gynecologic cancers can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and experimental treatments. Types of gynecologic cancer Cancer of the cervix A common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues that connect the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Learn more on our Cervical Cancer web page. Cancer of the endometrium Known as cancer of the uterine corpus, cancer cells form in the lining of the uterus. It is a highly curable tumor. This type of cancer is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus (see below) which is known as sarcoma of the uterus. Learn more on our Endometrian / Uterine Cancer web page Cancer of the vagina More often a gynecologic cancer has spread here since primary cancer of the vagina is rare. There are two types of cancer of the vagina squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma. It is usually diagnosed in elderly women with abnormal bleeding and treated with radiation. Learn more on the National Cancer Institute's Cancer of the Vagina web page. Cancer of the vulva A rare kind of cancer where cancer cells are found in the outer part of a woman's vagina. Treatment includes surgically removing vulvar lesions and the groin lymph nodes. Learn more on the National Cancer Institute's Cancer of the Vulva web page. Sarcoma of the uterus A very rare kind of cancer where cancer cells start growing in the muscles or other supporting tissues of the uterus. Its presence is not detectable by a Pap test. Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. Learn more on our Endometrian / Uterine Cancer web page Cancer of the fallopian tubes In this cancer, tumor develops from cells inside the fallopian tubes. Cancer of the fallopian tubes is very rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers of the female genital organs. Cancer of the ovaries The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for ovarian cancer in the United States are for 2009 are 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer. Learn more on the Ovarian Cancer Awareness web page. Gestational trophoblastic diseases GTD can be malignant-cancerous-or benign-not cancerous. News Women under-represented in cancer research, U-M study finds Sexual history shouldn't guide HPV vaccination Women double fruit, veggie intake with switch to Mediterranean diet Study pries into ovarian cancer's deadly secrets Researchers identify ovarian cancer biomarkers Ginger causes ovarian cancer cells to die, U-M researchers find Resources PAP Test Information U-M Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program Gynecologic Cancers Resources web page National Cancer Institute: List of Gynecologic cancers Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Women's Cancer Network Take Action Enroll in a Gynecology Oncology Clinical Trial Attend the Women's Health Seminar HPV and Cervical Cancer: Truths and Myths For Your Daughter, For Your Sister, For Your Partner, For Yourself on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. Make a donation supporting the research and/or treatment of gynecologic cancers at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. Return to top		Adjust text size University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center 1500 East Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109 © 2009 Regents of the University of Michigan / Developed & maintained by: Public Relations & Marketing Communications. Contact Us or UMHS. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.

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