5 Types of Gynecologic Cancer



Medically reviewed by Blair McNamara, M.D.

Gynecologic cancer is defined as any type of cancer that begins within the reproductive organs of a woman or a person assigned female at birth.

In 2024, there will be an estimated 116,930 new cases, as well as 33,850 deaths from gynecologic cancers in the U.S.

5 Types of Gynecologic Cancer

1. Uterine Cancer

  • Starts in a woman’s uterus
  • The most common type of uterine cancer is called endometrial cancer because it starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus
  • Most common in postmenopausal women

Ways to reduce risk of uterine cancer

Symptoms of uterine cancer

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Pain or pressure in the pelvic area

Treatment optionsfor uterine cancer

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Clinical trials

Watch: How Endometrial Cancer Is Diagnosed >>

2. Ovarian Cancer

  • Develops in the ovaries or in cells in the far end of the fallopian tubes
  • A woman’s lifetime chance of developing this cancer is 1 in 78
  • Most common in women ages 63 and older

Ways to reduce risk of ovarian cancer

  • Use birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
  • Get genetic testing and possibly take action if you have a family history

Getting your tubes tied or having a hysterectomy reduces your risk for ovarian cancer, but these procedures are generally recommended only for medical reasons and not solely to prevent cancer.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

  • Bloating, abdominal swelling or weight loss
  • Feeling an urgency to urinate or having to urinate frequently
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Feeling full fast and difficulty eating
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Period changes
  • Constipation
  • Upset stomach

Treatment options for ovarian cancer

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Targeted drug therapy

3. Cervical Cancer

Ways to reduce risk of cervical cancer

  • Get the HPV vaccine
  • Use condoms
  • Don’t smoke
  • Get screened regularly, starting at age 21 — Cervical cancer screenings can help catch precancerous or cancerous cells early when the cancer is more treatable and curable

Read: HPV Vaccination Is Cancer Prevention >>

Symptoms of cervical cancer

  • Early stages often have no symptoms, which is why screenings are important
  • Later stage symptoms can include:
    • abnormal vaginal discharge
    • abnormal bleeding
    • bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse

Treatment options for cervical cancer

For precancer (also called cervical dysplasia)

  • Laser ablation: A beam of high-energy light is used to vaporize abnormal tissue
  • Cryotherapy: Abnormal cells are frozen
  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Abnormal tissue is removed using a wire loop
  • Cone biopsy (also called cold knife conization): A cone-shaped part of the cervix (the bottom and part of the center) is removed

For cancer

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted drug therapy
  • Immunotherapy

4. Vaginal Cancer

  • Starts in the vagina
  • A rare form of cancer, accounting for 1% to 2% of cancers in the female genital tract
  • Occurs mainly in older women — the average age of diagnosis is 67
  • Up to 90% of vaginal cancers and pre-cancers are linked to HPV

Ways to reduce riskof vaginal cancer

Symptoms of vaginal cancer

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, often after sex
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Painful intercourse
  • Feeling a mass or lump in the vagina
  • Advanced stage symptoms can include painful urination, leg swelling, back pain, pelvic or lower body pain, constipation

Treatment options for vaginal cancer

For precancer

  • Laser ablation: A beam of high-energy light is used to vaporize abnormal tissue
  • Topical therapy: Drugs like chemotherapy drug Fluorouracil (5-FU) or imiquimod cream can be placed on affected areas

For invasive vaginal cancer

  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy

5. Vulvar Cancer

Ways to reduce risk of vulvar cancer

  • Get an HPV vaccine
  • Use condoms
  • Don’t smoke
  • Keep up with regular pelvic check-ups
  • Perform regular self-exams of the vulva — Hold a mirror up to your vulva and look for changes in skin, like areas that are white, irritated or red, as well as new sores, growths or bumps

Symptoms of vulvar cancer

  • An area of the vulva that looks abnormal — lighter or darker than normal skin, red or pink skin
  • A red, pink, or white bump or lump that may have a wart-like surface or feel rough and thick
  • Itching
  • Thickening of vulvar skin
  • Burning or pain
  • Abnormal bleeding or discharge
  • An open sore that typically lasts for longer than a month

Treatment options for vulvar cancer

  • Topical creams therapy, including chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil (5-FU) or imiquimod
  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy

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What Is A Colposcopy? – When to See a Doctor


What is a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is a type of women’s health exam. It’s often performed by your family doctor or a gynecologist. They use a tool called a colposcope. It shines a light on the cervix and magnifies the view.

A colposcopy often is done if you have an abnormal Pap smear. The purpose of the exam is to get a close look at the cervix. The doctor can see and diagnose problems not seen with the naked eye. For example, the doctor can detect cervical cancer at an early stage.

Path to improved health

Before the exam

A colposcopy is a short outpatient exam. It’s typically done in a doctor’s office. Prior to the exam, you should empty your bladder and bowels. Don’t douche, have sex, or use vaginal medicines or tampons 24 hours before your appointment. Let your doctor know if you’re pregnant or are allergic to latex, iodine, or medicines.

During the exam

The complete exam takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The doctor has you lie face up on an exam table. You bend your legs and place your feet in stirrups, as you would for a pelvic exam or Pap smear. The doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina. This small tool opens your vagina so they can see inside your vagina and the outside of your cervix. Then, the doctor applies a solution of vinegar or iodine to your cervix with a cotton swab. The solution may cause a mild burning or stinging sensation. The solution makes potentially abnormal tissue turn white.

Next, the doctor looks at your cervix through the colposcope. They may take photographs with a tiny camera. If your doctor sees spots of abnormal tissue, they will perform a biopsy. This involves removing small samples of tissue from the abnormal area in or around your cervix. The samples are sent to a lab to examine.

You may experience some discomfort during the exam. You could have mild cramps caused by the speculum opening your vagina. You may feel a slight pinch and cramping if your doctor removes tissue to biopsy. Try to relax your muscles and take slow, deep breaths.

After the exam

Following the exam, you may have mild cramps. You can take an over-the-counter medicine to help relieve the pain. Ask your doctor what kind to take. You also could have some vaginal discharge for 1 or 2 days. During the biopsy, your doctor may put a thick paste on your cervix to stop any bleeding. When this paste mixes with blood, it can form a thick, dark discharge. Light spotting is normal as well. Your doctor will probably recommend wearing a sanitary pad.

You should not use a tampon, have sex, or put anything in your vagina for at least 1 week after the exam.

Things to consider

It takes about 1 to 2 weeks for the lab to process the biopsy. Your doctor’s office will contact you with the results and let you know if treatment is needed.

Normal results indicate no abnormal changes were found. Abnormal results can indicate several things:

  • Cervical polyps (non-cancerous growths on the cervix)
  • Cervical warts
  • HPV (human papilloma virus)
  • Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
  • Cervical dysplasia (precancerous changes in the cervical tissue)
  • Cervical cancer

A colposcopy doesn’t have many risks. You can have mild pain, bleeding, or discharge. A colposcopy shouldn’t prevent you from getting pregnant in the future.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms after your exam:

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding (using more than one sanitary pad per hour)
  • A bad-smelling vaginal odor
  • Severe lower stomach pain
  • Fever or chills

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Is it possible to do a colposcopy if I am pregnant?
  • What are the benefits and risks of a colposcopy?
  • How soon after a colposcopy can I return to my normal activities?
  • What types of treatment may be needed if my biopsy results come back abnormal?

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Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.





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