Gynecologic cancers originate in the female reproductive system and are identified according to the part of the female reproductive system in which they appear. Each one of them presents different symptoms and requires specialized treatment depending on the characteristics of the patient and her situation.
Depending on where it is located, we differentiate the following types of gynecological cancers:
- Cervical cancer.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Uterine or endometrial cancer: the cancer is located in the uterus, the organ in the pelvic area.
- Vaginal cancer: the cancer is located in the canal between the uterus and the outside of the body.
- Vulvar cancer: originates on the outside of the female reproductive tract.
Not all gynecologic cancers have the same symptoms, but there are some common signs that may indicate an abnormality.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Pain in the area
- Frequent urination or urgency
These symptoms are some of the ones that could indicate the appearance of a tumor in the female reproductive organ. Whenever you feel any of these or other signs, consult your doctor.
How are gynecological cancers treated?
The treatment of each tumor depends on factors such as where it is located. There are three main types of treatment:
- Surgery: this requires a high level of specialization to ensure a good surgical approach to the tumor.
- Chemotherapy: the purpose of this treatment is to destroy the proliferation of cancerous cells since it acts as an inhibitor of cellular activity in the organism.
- Radiotherapy: this treatment uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
In recent years, new approaches have emerged for the treatment of gynecological cancers, which, using the latest technologies and specialized techniques, obtain very promising results in terms of patient survival and quality of life, as is the case of the HIPEC technique applied to ovarian cancer.
Can the risk of suffering gynecological cancer be prevented?
Cancer is a genetic disease, caused by certain changes in the genes that regulate the way our cells function, especially the way they reproduce. The genetic changes that promote cancer can be acquired during a person’s lifetime, but most commonly they can be inherited from our parents, but they can also be acquired during a person’s lifetime.
Therefore, although gynecological cancers cannot be avoided, they can be prevented and diagnosed:
- Regular screening tests can detect cervical cancer early.
- Maintaining healthy habits, such as maintaining a good weight, avoiding smoking, limiting the amount of alcohol consumed and protecting your skin from the sun will also help prevent cancer.
- There are prevention methods, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and some vaginal and vulvar cancers.