About Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancers are cancers that start in the female reproductive organs, including the:

• Uterus
• Cervix
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Vagina
• Vulva
• Placenta

Approximately 82,000 women each year are diagnosed with a new gynecologic cancer. These cancers vary widely in their causes, risk factors, treatments and chance for cure.  

Women experiencing any of these symptoms should speak with their doctor as soon as possible:

• A change in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
• A thickening or lump that causes pain or can be seen or felt
• Indigestion that does not go away
• Pain in the pelvic area

Many women each year are found to have masses in the adnexa, which is the area next to the uterus.  

Because sometimes it can be difficult to determine which of these masses are cancers, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) have issued guidelines as to when these women should be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for evaluation (ACOG Committee Opinion No. 477, Obstet Gynecol 2011;117:742-6):

Premenopausal women
CA125 level > 200
Ascites
Evidence of abdominal or distant metastases
Breast or ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative

Postmenopausal women
CA125 level > 35
Ascites
Nodular or fixed pelvic mass
Evidence of abdominal or distant metastases
Breast or ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative

Resources

The following external links may be additional helpful resources:

• American Cancer Society
• ASCO Cancer.Net
• Cancer Care, Inc
• Cancer Information Network
• Foundation for Women’s Cancer
• Gynecologic Oncology Group
• National Cancer Institute
• National Institutes of Health
• NRG Oncology
• Society of Gynecologic Oncology