Female Reproductive System Cancer

The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, accessory glands, and external genital organs. Breasts are secondary sex organs because they are not organs of reproduction. The ovary is the primary sex organ in women.

Overview

There are several reproductive cancers that occur in women. The most common ones are:

Cervical Cancer – Cancer of the cervix, the lower end of the uterus that extends to the vagina.
Ovarian Cancer – Cancer in the ovaries, the two organs that make female hormones and produce a woman’s eggs.
Uterine Cancer – Cancer in the uterus (womb), the organ where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Fallopian Tube Cancer – Fallopian tube cancer, also known as tubal cancer, develops in the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus.
Endometrial Cancer – Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis.
Vaginal cancer – Cancer of the vagina, the hollow channel that leads from the uterus and cervix to the outside of the body.
Vulvar cancer – Cancer of the vulva, the area around the opening of the vagina.
Breast cancer – Sometimes considered a reproductive cancer, breast cancer is in the tissues of the breast.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause.
Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor.
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

It isn’t clear what causes cervical cancer, but it’s certain that HPV plays a role. HPV is very common, and most people with the virus never develop cancer. This means other factors — such as your environment or your lifestyle choices — also determine whether you’ll develop cervical cancer.

Types of Cervical Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.

Ovarian Cancer

A cancer that begins in the female organs that produce eggs (ovaries).

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Abdominal bloating or swelling.
Quickly feeling full when eating.
Weight loss.
Discomfort in the pelvic area.
Fatigue.
Back pain.
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation.
A frequent need to urinate.

Causes of Ovarian Cancer

inherited a faulty gene, such as the BRCA genes or those linked to Lynch syndrome.
had breast cancer or bowel cancer.
had radiotherapy treatment for a previous cancer.
have endometriosis or diabetes.

Types of Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer. This type is the most common. It includes several subtypes, including serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma.
Stromal tumors. These rare tumors are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers.
Germ cell tumors. These rare ovarian cancers tend to occur at a younger age.

Uterine Cancer

A type of cancer that begins in the uterus. The uterus is where a fetus grows. In most nonpregnant women, the uterus is about 3 inches long.

Most uterine cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Risk factors include being overweight and starting periods at an early age.

Symptoms include vaginal bleeding after menopause and bleeding between periods.

Surgery to remove the uterus is the main treatment for most women with uterine cancer. Advanced cases may need chemotherapy or radiation.

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Vaginal bleeding between periods before menopause.
Vaginal bleeding or spotting postmenopause, even a slight amount.
Lower abdominal pain or cramping in your pelvis, just below your belly.
Thin white or clear vaginal discharge if you’re postmenopausal.

Causes of Uterine Cancer

being postmenopausal, or reaching menopause (after age 55)
a thickened wall lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
never having children.
starting periods early (before age 12)
having high blood pressure or diabetes.
being overweight or obese.
family history of ovarian, uterine, or bowel cancer.

Fallopian Tube Cancer

Fallopian tube cancer, also known as tubal cancer, develops in the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus.

Causes of Fallopian Tube Cancer

Advancing age (most women with this type of cancer are diagnosed when they are between 50 and 60 years) Post menopause. No children. Inherited gene mutations (such as BRCA).

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis.

Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer

Bleeding or discharge not related to your periods (menstruation) — over 90 percent of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Postmenopausal bleeding.
Difficult or painful urination.
Pain during intercourse.
Pain and/or mass in the pelvic area.

Causes of Endometrial Cancer

Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body. …
More years of menstruation. …
Never having been pregnant. …
Older age. …
Obesity. …
Hormone therapy for breast cancer. …
An inherited colon cancer syndrome.

Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina. Older age and having an HPV infection are risk factors for vaginal cancer. Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer include pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer

Bleeding from the vagina, often after intercourse, not related to menstruation.
Pain during intercourse.
Abnormal vaginal discharge.
A noticeable mass in the vagina.
Painful urination.
Constipation.
Pelvic pain.

Causes of Vaginal Cancer

More than half of all vaginal cancers are caused by an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

You can get HPV from:

any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
vaginal, anal or oral sex
sharing sex toys

Types of Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) that line the surface of the vagina, and is the most common type.
Vaginal adenocarcinoma, which begins in the glandular cells on the surface of your vagina.
Vaginal melanoma, which develops in the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) of your vagina.
Vaginal sarcoma, which develops in the connective tissue cells or muscles cells in the walls of your vagina.

Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that occurs on the outer surface area of the female genitalia. The vulva is the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina, including the clitoris and labia. Vulvar cancer commonly forms as a lump or sore on the vulva that often causes itching.

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer

a persistent itch in the vulva.
pain, soreness or tenderness in the vulva.
raised and thickened patches of skin that can be red, white or dark.
a lump or wart-like growth on the vulva.
bleeding from the vulva or blood-stained vaginal discharge between periods.
an open sore in the vulva.

Causes of Vulvar Cancer

Although the exact cause of vulvar cancer isn’t known, certain factors appear to increase your risk of the disease, including:

Increasing age.
Being exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV).
Smoking.
Having a weakened immune system.
Having a history of precancerous conditions of the vulva.

Breast Cancer

A cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

Breast cancer can occur in women and rarely in men.

Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.

Its treatment depends on the stage of cancer. It may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgery.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Being female.
Increasing age.
A personal history of breast conditions.
A personal history of breast cancer.
A family history of breast cancer.
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk.
Radiation exposure.
Obesity.

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