What are the symptoms of various gynecologic cancers?

Gynecologic cancers start in woman’s pelvis, which is located below the abdomen and between the hip bones. Most common gynecological cancers are cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterus (endometrial) cancer. Cancers of the vulva, vagina, gestational trophoblastic tumors, and fallopian tube are among the less prevalent gynecologic cancers.

Cervical cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 45 years with the average age at diagnosis being 50.

Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are caused by infection with high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV), which are sexually transmitted. Cervical cancer takes a long time to develop (around 15–20 years) with the persistence of this virus. Unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners, smoking, poor hygiene and infections like HIV all increase the risk.

• Vaginal bleeding is the main symptom and occurs after intercourse or  following menopause
• Bloody or watery vaginal discharge with a foul odor
• Pelvic pain 

Early stage cervical cancer is treated with either radical surgery or radical radiotherapy, both of which have similar outcomes, whereas advanced stages are treated with chemo-radiation.

Ovarian cancer is a type of gynecologic cancer that begins in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer can occur in women of any age, but it most commonly occurs in women above the ages of 50 years. 

Ovarian cancer is often not discovered until it has spread to the abdomen or pelvis. Early ovarian cancer can be treated successfully if it has spread only to the ovarian region. In the late stages, ovarian cancer becomes more difficult to treat and can be fatal. 

• Abdominal bloating
• Feeling full soon after eating
• weight loss
• pelvic discomfort
• Frequent urination
• Changes in bowel habits such as constipation
• back pain
• difficulty breathing
• Depending on the stage of ovarian cancer, treatment involves chemotherapy or surgery.

Endometrial cancer begins in the uterus (pear-shaped hollow pelvic organ). Endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, starts in the lining of the uterus cells (the endometrium). Uterine cancer is more common in postmenopausal women.

Early-stage endometrial cancer is detectable because it presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding. If detected early, surgical oncologist can remove the uterus and cure the malignancy.

The symptoms of Endometrial cancer are:

• • Abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Bleeding in between menstrual cycle
  • Pelvic pain
  • Vaginal discharge- light to dark brown blood stain

• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine(endometrial) cancer
• Cervical cancer 
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Vaginal cancer 
• Vulvar cancer
• Gynecologic sarcomas 
• Gestational trophoblastic disease
• precancerous conditions of lower genital tract  

Prathima Hospital is well-equipped to deal with women’s cancer. Our team is composed of gynecological cancer surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, clinical nurse specialists, radiologists, Oncopathologists, physiotherapists,genetic counsellers and palliative care physicians. The Surgical department offers services ranging from conventional surgeries to minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgeries for management of various gynecologic cancers. We offer the following services: 

• Preventive Gynae Oncology (cancer screening service for prevention of cervical cancer-HPV based screening, Pap smear tests and HPV vaccination).
• Colposcopy
• Open /Lap surgical procedures
• Ultra Radical Salvage Surgeries
• Advanced Radiation Technology like VMAT, IMRT
• Image guided Brachytherapy (IGBT)
• Immunotherapy 
• Rehabilitation / Palliative care
• Stoma Care