GYNAECOLOGIC CANCER
Gynaecologic Cancer Treatment In Agra
Gynaecologic cancer is a type of cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. While they are often discussed as a group, each gynaecologic cancer is unique. Each has different signs, symptoms, and risk factors.
Gynaecologic Cancer Risk Factors
Each specific type of gynecologic cancer has a unique set of risk factors. The most common include:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections that do not go away increase the risk of getting several types of gynaecologic cancers
- Family history of malignancy in the family
- Increasing age
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Gynecologic Cancer Symptoms
The gynaecologic cancer symptoms are:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Feeling full too quickly or difficulty eating
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate and/or constipation
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain or back pain
- Itching, burning, pain or tenderness of the vulva
- Changes in vulva color or skin – such as a rash, sores or warts
Surgery
The extent or possibility of surgery depends on the type of cancer and the patient’s overall health. Following are the surgical treatment options provided at MICC:
- Ovarian cancer – Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
- Endometrial cancer – Minimally Invasive Surgery Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy (validated and sentinel performing center)
- Case-Series of Minimally Invasive Surgery on morbidly obese patients
- Cervical cancer – Minimally Invasive Open Radical Hysterectomy
- Vulvar cancer – Radical Vulvectomy with reconstruction with flap surgery, inguinal dissection, radical local excision
- Colposcopy, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), Conization and laser surgery for various pre-invasive lesions of the genital tract
Gynecologic Cancer Treatment
Dr Varun Kumar Agarwal offers different types and combinations of gynecological cancer treatment. These depend on the type and stage at which it is diagnosed. Possible treatments include
Types of Gynecologic Cancer
CERVICAL CANCER
Begins in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (or womb)
OVARIAN CANCER
Begins in the ovaries, located on each side of the uterus
UTERINE CANCER
Begins in the uterus, a pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis
VAGINAL CANCER
Begins in the vagina, the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
VULVAR CANCER
Begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female genital organ, which includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina, the clitoris, and the opening of the vagina and its glands
Treatment and Diagnosis for Gynaecological cancer
If a woman has a symptom or Pap test results that suggest precancerous cells or cancer of the cervix, her doctor will suggest other procedures to make a diagnosis.
These may include:
- Colposcopy:The doctor uses a colposcope to look at the cervix. The colposcope combines a bright light with a magnifying lens to make tissue easier to see. It is not inserted into the vagina. A colposcopy is usually done in the doctor’s office or clinic.
- Biopsy :The doctor removes tissue to look for precancerous cells or cancer cells. Most women have their biopsy in the doctor’s office with local anesthesia. A pathologist checks the tissue with a microscope.
- Punch biopsy:The doctor uses a sharp, hollow device to pinch off small samples of cervical tissue.
- LEEP:The doctor uses an electric wire loop to slice off a thin, round piece of tissue.
- Endocervical curettage:The doctor uses a curette (a small, spoon-shaped instrument) to scrape a small sample of tissue from the cervical canal. Some doctors may use a thin, soft brush instead of a curette.
- Conization:The doctor removes a cone-shaped sample of tissue. A conization, or cone biopsy, lets the pathologist see if abnormal cells are in the tissue beneath the surface of the cervix. The doctor may do this test in the hospital under general anesthesia. Conization also may be used to remove a precancerous area.
Staging
If the biopsy shows that you have cancer, your doctor will do a thorough pelvic exam and may remove additional tissue to learn the extent (stage) of your disease. The stage tells whether the tumor has invaded nearby tissues, whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body.
These are the stages of cervical cancer:
- Stage 0:The cancer is found only in the top layer of cells in the tissue that lines the cervix. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ.
- Stage I:The cancer has invaded the cervix beneath the top layer of cells. It is found only in the cervix.
- Stage II:The cancer extends beyond the cervix into nearby tissues. It extends to the upper part of the vagina. The cancer does not invade the lower third of the vagina or the pelvic wall (the lining of the part of the body between the hips).
- Stage III:The cancer extends to the lower part of the vagina. It also may have spread to the pelvic wall and nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV:The cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, or other parts of the body.
- Recurrent cancer:The cancer was treated, but has returned after a period of time during which it could not be detected. The cancer may show up again in the cervix or in other parts of the body.
To learn the extent of disease and suggest a course of treatment, the doctor may order some of the following tests:
- Chest x-rays:X-rays often can show whether cancer has spread to the lungs.
- CT scan:An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of your organs. You may receive contrast material by injection in your arm or hand, by mouth, or by enema. (Some people are allergic to contrast materials that contain iodine. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have allergies.) The contrast material makes abnormal areas easier to see. A tumor in the liver, lungs, or elsewhere in the body can show up on the CT scan.
- MRI:A powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of your pelvis and abdomen. The doctor can view these pictures on a monitor and can print them on film. An MRI can show whether cancer has spread. Sometimes contrast material makes abnormal areas show up more clearly on the picture.
- Ultrasound:An ultrasound device is held against the abdomen or inserted into the vagina. The device sends out sound waves that people cannot hear. The waves bounce off the cervix and nearby tissues, and a computer uses the echoes to create a picture. Tumors may produce echoes that are different from the echoes made by healthy tissues. The picture can show whether cancer has spread.
Treatment
- Getting a Second Opinion
- Preparing for Treatment
- Methods of Treatment
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
Methods of Treatment
Women with cervical cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, or a combination of all three methods.
At any stage of disease, women with cervical cancer may have treatment to control pain and other symptoms, to relieve the side effects of therapy, and to ease emotional and practical problems. This kind of treatment is called supportive care, symptom management, or palliative care.
You may want to talk to your doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. The section on “The Promise of Cancer Research” has more information about clinical trials.
Surgery
Surgery treats the cancer in the cervix and the area close to the tumor.
Most women with early cervical cancer have surgery to remove the cervix and uterus (total hysterectomy). However, for very early (Stage 0) cervical cancer, a hysterectomy may not be needed. Other ways to remove the cancerous tissue include conization, cryosurgery, laser surgery, or LEEP.
Some women need a radical hysterectomy. A radical hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina.
With either total or radical hysterectomy, the surgeon may remove both fallopian tubes and ovaries. (This procedure is a salpingo-oophorectomy.)
The surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes near the tumor to see if they contain cancer. If cancer cells have reached the lymph nodes, it means the disease may have spread to other parts of the body.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions about surgery:
- What kind of operation will I have? Will my ovaries be removed?
- Do I need to have lymph nodes removed? Will other tissues be removed? Why?
- How will I feel after the operation?
- If I have pain, how will it be controlled?
- How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
- Will I have any lasting side effects? If I don’t have a hysterectomy, will I be able to get pregnant and have children? Is there increased risk of miscarriage?
- When will I be able to resume normal activities?
- How will the surgery affect my sex life?
GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER FAQ's
Watch for symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, changes in bowel or bladder habits, and unexplained weight loss.
Yes, risk factors include family history, age, certain infections, hormonal factors, and reproductive history. Understanding these factors aids in prevention and early detection.
Screening methods vary by cancer type, but may include Pap smears, HPV tests, pelvic exams, and imaging studies. Regular screenings are crucial for early detection.
Treatments range from surgery and chemotherapy to radiation therapy, depending on the type and stage of the cancer. A multidisciplinary approach is often employed for comprehensive care.
While not all cases are preventable, practicing safe sex, getting vaccinated against HPV, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. Regular check-ups and screenings are vital for early intervention.
