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WHAT'S NEW
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Gynecological cancers
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Learn about seven types of gynecological cancer, assess your risks and find out about important screening measures.
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By Heather Camlot
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Vaginal
Description: Possibly caused by HPV, vaginal cancer destroys the vaginal lining and causes sores that can bleed and become infected.
Risk factors: Being between 60 and 80 years of age. "Vaginal cancer is very rare and tends to mostly affect women who have had hysterectomies," says Covens. Risk also increases if women have had cervical cancer or precancerous cells on the cervix.
Screening: Symptoms include bleeding or discharge, painful intercourse or urination, and pain in the pelvic area. An annual Pap smear is recommended.
Vulvar
Description: A skin cancer around the opening of the vagina, it accounts for about three to four per cent of reproductive cancers.
Risk factors: Risk increases for post-menopausal women. Symptoms include: vulvar itching or bleeding and changes in the colour or feel of the vulva.
Screening: According to Covens, no screening is available. A biopsy may be performed to determine if the skin is cancerous.
Gestational trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma
Description: Tumors in the placenta and within the uterus are caused by abnormal cellular growth in the tissues. It can develop in any pregnant woman.
Risk factors: While extremely rare, it is more common in Asia. It is also more common in people with poor nutrition. Once you've had GTD, risk of a repeated occurrence increases tenfold with every pregnancy, says Covens.
Screening: Abnormal bleeding early in a pregnancy is a common symptom. Doctors may conduct a pelvic exam, ultrasound and HCG blood test.
Fallopian tube
Description: The rarest of gynecologic cancers, it is similar to ovarian cancer in appearance and treatment.
Risk factors: "It may have the same risk factors as ovarian cancer," says Covens. "In some of the studies where they've taken women at high risk for ovarian cancer, they found a high incidence of fallopian tube cancer."
Screening: There are no screenings, says Covens.
Online resources
For more information about gynecological cancers, visit the following Web sites:
The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada
Health Canada's Women's Health Bureau
Ovarian Cancer Centre Alliance
Women's Cancer Network
Canadian Cancer Society
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
OBGYN.net
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