By Dr. Sharad Ghamande, Gynecologic Oncologist
MCG Cancer Center

Do you know the signs of gynecologic cancer?  
Gynecologic cancers are the third largest group of cancers treated at the MCG Cancer Center, and nearly 90,000 gynecologic cancers will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone. Unfortunately, some cancers like ovarian cancer will be diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are fewer and chance of recovery is much less.

But by getting regular checkups (even after menopause), knowing your family history and, most importantly, knowing the signs of gynecologic cancer, women can help protect themselves.

Endometrial Cancer

• Risk: About 40,000 women a year develop endometrial cancer. While most women are in the post-menopausal stage, younger women can also develop this cancer. Women who are overweight, Caucasian and who have unopposed estrogen replacement therapy (estrogen alone) are most at risk. If a certain type of colon cancer runs in your family, you may also be at higher risk for endometrial cancer. A genetic test can help determine this.
• Symptoms: Abnormal bleeding is the most common symptom, especially in a post-menopausal woman.
      
• Treatment: If a physician suspects endometrial cancer, he may perform an examination, as well as order an ultrasound and an endometrial biopsy. Most women do very well after treatment, which is usually hysterectomy, combined with pelvic lymph node removal.

Ovarian Cancer

• Risk: All women have a 1.4 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime. While that sounds like a small risk, more than 70 percent of all ovarian cancers are detected once cancer has already spread, making it difficult to treat. Because of this, it is one of the deadliest of all gynecological cancers.
• Symptoms: No effective screening test exists for ovarian cancer, so it is important to know the symptoms, which include abdominal pain and swelling. Family history is also quite important. About 10 percent of all ovarian cancers are genetic in origin, and a test is available.
     
• Treatment: If a genetic test comes back positive, many women opt for prophylactic removal of the ovaries, which reduces the risk of cancer by 95 percent. Use of birth control reduces risk by 50 percent. Patients with advanced ovarian cancer require surgery, followed by chemotherapy.

Cervical Cancer

• Risk: Those at risk for cervical cancer continue to almost exclusively be those who have contracted the HPV infection. Smoking and early intercourse are other risk factors. It’s important for parents to discuss the dangers of these risky behaviors, starting when children reach their teens.
      
• Symptoms: Discharge and abnormal bleeding, especially after intercourse, are the most common symptoms.
      
• Treatment: An HPV vaccine has been approved and has been found to help prevent the virus types that lead to cervical cancer. It is hoped that by preventing the HPV infection, cervical cancer rates will drop even further. An emphasis should continue to be placed on a yearly Pap smear. Without this simple test, up to 2 million women every year who have abnormal or precancerous cells in their cervix could go untreated and possibly be at risk for cancer.

Remember, all women are at risk of developing gynecologic cancer. If you experience a strange symptom, even something that seems unimportant, don’t be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. Starting the conversation can’t hurt, and may even help you.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group.  MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services.  MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.