The female reproductive system includes the organs involved in menstruation and pregnancy. These organs include:
- Ovaries: Glands that produce the female hormones called estrogen and progesterone and eggs that, when fertilized by sperm, can become a fetus
- Uterus: A hollow organ in the abdomen in which a fetus develops during pregnancy
- Vagina: A canal made of muscle that extends from the uterus to the outside
Gynecologic cancers occur when cells grow in ways they aren't supposed to in any part of these organs.
Symptoms may include:
- Bleeding or spotting (especially in women who've reached menopause)
- Growing mass
- Itching
- Pain in the pelvis or back
- Sores
- Vaginal discharge
- Warts
- Weight loss
Our experts treat all gynecologic cancer types, including:
Cervical cancer
Cancer that begins in the cervix, where the uterus and vagina meet, is cervical cancer.
People with cervical cancer don't always have symptoms. Your doctor might find this cancer with a Pap test, a type of screening test. Learn more about cancer prevention and screening
Endometrial cancer
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Each month, the endometrium thickens. You shed this lining during your menstrual period if pregnancy doesn't occur.
Endometrial cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in this lining. Doctors determine the type of endometrial cancer by examining tissue samples under a microscope.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries. Cancer can also grow in the fallopian tubes. Many people with ovarian cancer don't have any symptoms at all until cancer spreads.
Uterine cancer
Cancer that grows in the walls of the uterus is uterine sarcoma. Tumors can grow in the muscles called the myometrium or in the endometrium. Types of uterine sarcomas include:
- Endometrial stromal sarcoma: Tumors in the connective tissue of the uterine lining
- Leiomyosarcoma: Cancer in the smooth muscle of the uterus
- Undifferentiated sarcoma: Tumors that begin in either the myometrium or the endometrium
Vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer includes cancer that grows in the cells that line the vagina or in the vagina's glands, nerves or tissues. Types of vaginal cancer include:
- Adenocarcinoma: Cancer of the gland cells
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer in the vagina's lining
Often, vaginal cancers begin in other parts of the body. These include cervical cancer and bladder and urologic cancer.
Vulvar cancer
Vulvar cancer begins in the external part of the female genitals known as the vulva. This cancer typically grows slowly and may not cause symptoms at first.
Our experts diagnose gynecologic cancer with certain tests and screenings. We start with a physical examination and pelvic exam, and may also do a Pap test.
We use different tools to see if cancer is present and if cancer has spread. These diagnostic tests include:
- Blood tests for gynecologic cancer
- Biopsy
- Cone biopsy
- Endometrial biopsy
- Punch biopsy
- Surgical biopsy
- Detailed examinations
- Colposcopy
- Cystoscopy
- Hysteroscopy
- Dilation and curettage
- Imaging tests