Inova Gynecologic Oncology

Cancer that starts in cells of the cervix is called cervical cancer.

Understanding the cervix

The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. It connects the uterus to the birth canal (vagina), which leads to the outside of the body. It's located between the bladder and the rectum.

Looking for precancer

Precancerous cells on the cervix are the first sign that cervical cancer may develop. These cells can be seen on a Pap test. They are cells that look abnormal, but are not yet cancer. The appearance of these cells may be the first sign of cancer that will grow years later. Treating these precancer cells can prevent cancer from growing. Precancer cells of the cervix often don’t cause pain or other symptoms. This is why regular cervical cancer screening is so important.

Learn more in Inova's health library

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. A malignancy of the inner lining of the uterus, this type of cancer occurs most frequently in post-menopausal women, with the highest incidence found in women ages 55 to 64.

Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus (see uterine cancer). Endometrial cancer is highly curable when found early.

Consult a physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding or discharge not related to your periods
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• Difficult or painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain and/or mass in the pelvic area
• Weight loss

Treatments for Endometrial Cancer

The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and whether it is just in the endometrium or has spread to other parts of the uterus or body.

Treatment options include the following:

• Surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy

Women treated early by a gynecologic oncologist have twice the survival rates of those not treated by a cancer specialist. Inova Cancer Services and Inova Women's Services work together seamlessly to provide a comprehensive treatment program for women with cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus or other reproductive organs.

Fallopian tube cancer is an extremely rare disease that develops inside one or both of a woman's fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the thin ducts that transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Most women with this type of cancer are between the ages of 50 and 60. Fallopian tube carcinomas are treated using the same methods as for ovarian cancer.

Women treated early by a gynecologic oncologist have twice the survival rates of those not treated by a cancer specialist. Inova Cancer Institute and Inova Women's Services work together seamlessly to provide a comprehensive treatment program for women with cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, or other reproductive organs. Our multidisciplinary team of gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists coordinate the best care for each patient from diagnosis to treatment to monitoring for recurrence.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of rare diseases that can occur in the uterus once a woman becomes pregnant.

GTD is named because the disease begins in the trophoblast, the layer of cells that surrounds the newly formed embryo. Some types of gestational trophoblastic disease can develop into cancer, which is why it’s important that they be diagnosed as early as possible.

Women treated early by a gynecologic oncologist have twice the survival rates of those not treated by a cancer specialist. Inova Cancer Institute and Inova Women's Services work together seamlessly to provide a comprehensive treatment program for women with cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, or other reproductive organs. Our multidisciplinary team of gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists coordinate the best care for each patient from diagnosis to treatment to monitoring for recurrence.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women. Because symptoms are often vague or nonexistent, ovarian cancer is difficult to detect and too often reaches an advanced stage, making treatment that much more difficult.

Early detection is vital in the successful treatment of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer symptoms have recently received more attention in the media and magazines in an effort to educate women about this often deadly form of cancer.

Women should be sensitive to the following symptoms and contact their physicians if they persist:

• General discomfort in the lower abdomen, including any of the following:
  • Feeling swollen or bloated
  • A loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness - even after a light meal
  • Gas, indigestion, and nausea
  • Pain during sex
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Diarrhea or constipation, or frequent urination caused by the growing tumor, which may press on nearby organs, such as the bowel or bladder
• Weight loss
• Feeling very tired all the time
• Build up of fluid around the lungs, which may cause shortness of breath

If any of these symptoms occur almost daily or last a few weeks and are new, the woman should talk with her doctor.

Inova's gastrointestinal cancer program specializes in the treatment of gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, gallbladder, as well as intestinal cancers. 

Visit the Inova Gastrointestinal Multidisciplinary Clinic website

Cancer may occur in different areas of the uterus, such as the cervix or endometrium. While these reproductive tract cancers are sometimes collectively referred to as "uterine cancer," diagnosis and treatment is specific to each woman and the exact location of her cancer.

Uterine sarcoma is a rare cancer of the muscle and connective tissues of the uterus. The term "sarcoma" refers to cancers that start in tissue such as the muscle, fat, bone and fibrous tissue.

Symptoms of uterine cancer may vary, but the most common include:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, or discharge
• Frequent, difficult, or painful urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the pelvic area

Cancer of the uterus usually occurs around the time menopause begins and is rare before that time. The occasional reappearance of bleeding after menopause should always be checked by a physician.

Treatment for Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer may be treated by one or more of the following:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Brachytherapy

Women treated early by a gynecologic oncologist have twice the survival rates of those not treated by a cancer specialist. Inova Cancer Institute and Inova Women's Services work together seamlessly to provide a comprehensive treatment program for women with cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, or other reproductive organs.

Vaginal cancer is a rare malignancy that can occur even if a woman has had a hysterectomy. The following are the most common symptoms of vaginal cancer, although each person may experience symptoms differently:

• Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods
• Difficult or painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Constipation
• A mass that can be felt

The symptoms of vaginal cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a physician for diagnosis.

Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy that affects the vulva, the area at the end of and outside the vagina.

Vulvar cancer most often affects the inner edges of the skin folds. Less often it occurs on the clitoris or in the Bartholin glands on either side of the vaginal opening.

Symptoms may include the following, although each woman may experience symptoms differently:

• Constant itching
• Changes in the color and the way the vulva looks
• Bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation
• Severe burning/itching or pain
• Skin of the vulva looks white and feels rough

The symptoms of vulvar cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a physician for diagnosis.