Gynecological cancer symptoms and causes
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
A woman is a life-giver, nurturer, and caregiver but never a caretaker when it comes to her health. ‘Gynecological ‘means diseases related to a woman’s reproductive system, and ‘Cancer ‘means abnormal growth of cells. The symptoms of gynecological cancer differ with the different types of cancer; abnormal bleeding during or after periods is one of the most common symptoms. HPV infections, smoking, AIDS, etc., have been linked to these gynecological cancers.
Gynecological cancers are cancers of an organ in a woman’s reproductive system. The reproductive system consists of organs and parts of the body that work together for the formation of a new life. The uterus (womb), cervix (mouth of the uterus), ovaries (egg-producing organs), fallopian tubes (tube connecting the ovaries and the uterus), vagina (tube connecting the genitals and the cervix), and vulva (external female genitals) are all parts of the female reproductive system.
Gynecological Cancer Causes
Gynecological cancer causes are being overweight, being over 50 years old, having a family history, having a high-fat diet, having diabetes, having multiple sexual partners, weak immunity, and having sex at an early age. Other sexually transmitted infections, never being pregnant, smoking, HPV infection, Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (changes in the cellular lining of the vagina), a history of genital bumps or growths called warts, lichen sclerosis (a disease of the skin of the vulva), the beginning of periods before 12 years of age, and hormonal therapy after menopause are also the causes of gynecological cancer.
Types and gynecological cancer symptoms
Uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer are the types of gynecological cancers. Fallopian tube cancer is considered the sixth type, which is very rare. Here is the list of gynecological cancer symptoms.
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Uterine cancer - It is a cancer of the uterus, also known as endometrial cancer. The uterus is the womb, or bag-like structure, in which a baby grows before birth. The lining of the uterus is known as the endometrial lining. The cancer begins in this lining, therefore, the name is endometrial cancer.
Abnormal bleeding during or between periods, bleeding after menopause (menopause is the age when a woman stops getting periods), and pain in the pelvic area (area between the lower abdomen and the legs) are some of the symptoms of uterine cancer. - Cervical cancer- It is a cancer of the cervix( lower most end part of the uterus). The main cause of this cancer is an HPV infection. This is the second most common cancer in India. Symptoms include bleeding after sex or after menopause or between periods, bloody or watery vaginal discharge with a foul smell, pain during sex, and pain in the pelvic area
- Ovarian Cancer – It forms in the ovaries, which are the egg-producing organs on either side of the uterus. Symptoms include bloating, feeling full after eating little food, weight loss, back pain, constipation, and frequent urination.
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Vaginal Cancer – The vagina is a tube connecting the female genitals and the cervix. Vaginal cancer is a very rare cancer that forms in the vaginal lining.
Initially, this cancer doesn’t show any signs or symptoms. It is the later stage that starts showing symptoms of bleeding or discharge between periods, bleeding after sex, pain while urinating, frequent urination, pain in the pelvic area, and constipation. -
Vulvar cancer – It is a cancer of the female external genital area. Vulvar cancer is also a rare type of cancer. It progresses very slowly over the years.
Symptoms include continuous itching, burning, or pain, change in the skin color of the vulva, abnormal bleeding or discharge, growth or lumps in the vulva, and pain in the pelvic area during sex or while urinating. -
Fallopian tube cancer – Rarest of all gynecological cancers, it is a cancer of the fallopian tube, which is a tube connecting the ovaries and the uterus. In recent research, it was found that most ovarian cancer begins at the fallopian tube end, connecting the ovaries.
Symptoms include abnormal discharge and bleeding, pain during sex, back pain, pelvic pain, constipation, frequent urination, feeling full quickly, and feeling tired.
Tests for detecting gynecological cancers.
Most gynecological cancer symptoms don’t show early, so it is necessary to get your annual checkup done by your doctor. The following examinations or tests are done by the doctor:
- History – A complete history of a patient is taken by the doctor regarding previous medications, surgery, family history of cancer, history of any lumps or skin growths, pregnancy, and vaccinations.
- Physical examination – A doctor examines the complete pelvic area genitals for any discoloration or lumps. If required, the doctor also examines the vagina and its lining with the help of an instrument.
- Transvaginal ultrasound- It is a test used by doctors to examine female reproductive organs. A probe is inserted in the vaginal canal to perform this test
- HPV test – This test only detects the presence of HPV infection and not cancer. A positive HPV test doesn’t mean you have cancer. It just means that you are at risk, and you need to be more careful. To perform this test, the doctor uses an instrument to spread the vaginal walls, and with the help of a soft brush, the sample is collected.
- Blood test -A blood sample is collected to test the complete blood count, blood proteins, and tumor marker cells.
- Imaging tests -CT scan, MRI scan, and PET scan are some of the imaging tests for detailed examination of different organs of the body.
- Biopsy – Biopsy is the examination of a tissue to determine if the cells are cancerous or non-cancerous. A small piece of tissue is scraped from the part of the body that the doctor feels might be cancerous. There are different techniques for biopsies of different organs and parts of the body.
- Colposcopy – Only when the pap test reports are not normal does a doctor prescribe colposcopy. The doctor uses an instrument to open the walls of the vagina for a clear view of the cervix. Then the doctor uses a magnifying glass known as a colposcope to observe the vaginal wall and the cervix. If any abnormality is found, then a tissue sample is collected for biopsy.
Preventive measures
HPV vaccine should be taken at the correct age, as HPV infections are one of the main causative agents of cervical cancer. As the HPV vaccine does not give 100 % protection from infections, pap tests should be done regularly for early cancer detection. Obesity is one of the risk factors for gynecological cancer, so adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle aids in weight loss and thus prevents the risk. Women with a family history of gynecological cancer should consult a doctor regularly.
Treatment options
Surgical removal of a part or an organ of the body is the best treatment option if cancer has started in that organ. Chemotherapy involves treating cancer cells with chemicals in the form of drugs. Radiation therapy is a method in which powerful radiation is used to kill cancer cells. Hormone therapy is used to lower some particular hormones on which cancer cell growth is dependent. There is also supportive or palliative care in which the doctors treat the other problems a cancer patient is suffering from, like pain, depression, etc.
Conclusion
A report saying cancer is positive can feel like the end of life, but with early detection and treatments, cancers can be treated completely. Gynecological cancers are the most common but least talked about cancers. Women need to be aware and active in getting the tests, treatments, and follow-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they can affect fertility. Consult a doctor and get treatment as soon as possible.
They are the doctors who are specialists in treating these types of cancers, and they can treat them in the best way possible. They can also provide guidance and suggest ways to prevent these cancers more effectively.
Some sanitary napkins are made using harmful chemicals, which can pose a problem as they promote the growth of cancer cells, reduce the immunity of the body, and, with prolonged use, can cause bacteria and yeast infections. To prevent these side effects, change the sanitary napkins more frequently. Other alternatives like period pants and menstrual cups can also be used.
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