Gynecologic Cancer Explained
Gynecologic cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells originating in the female reproductive organs, including the cervix, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva.
Like other parts of the body, the organs of the reproductive system are made up of many types of cells. Cells divide in an orderly, controlled way to produce more cells when they are needed in the body. When cells divide in an abnormal, uncontrolled way, they can form a tumor.
Gynecologic cancer affects many women, with about 80,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. About half of those cases are uterine cancer. Ovarian cancer, with more than 22,000 new cases estimated per year, is the second most common gynecologic cancer, and it accounts for more than 16,000 deaths annually.
Gynecologic cancer is a serious disease, but in the majority of cases it can be treated and cured. Our gynecological cancer physicians and specialists are dedicated to fighting cancer with you as a team and providing you with the most comprehensive care possible.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type of gynecological cancer and what stage it is in. Local treatments, which focus only on the affected part of the body, include surgery and radiation therapy. Other therapies are designed to reach cancer cells throughout the body using drugs, often referred to as systemic therapy, and can include chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
Types of Gynecological Cancer
There are five main types of gynecological cancer:
