GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
GYNECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY
Cancerous lesions of the female reproductive sphere are among the most frequently detected tumors. But often tumors are detected at a late stage, when treatment approaches are significantly limited, the cancer has spread to neighboring organs. Today, there are methods of early detection of oncogynecology, but not all women are wary of their health and regularly undergo screening studies for early detection of oncological diseases in gynecology.
TYPES OF GYNECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY
If we consider all malignant gynecological diseases, it is important to emphasize that cancer has different types and symptoms. Malignant cells can occur:
In the cervical region, proceeding in stages – from cell dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, when the lesion is limited only to the superficial epithelium, to invasive cancer affecting all layers of cells, spreading deep.
In the area of the uterine mucosa, forming endometrial carcinoma. Tumor cells spread into the body of the uterus and surrounding tissues, metastasize to the ovaries and lymph nodes, distant organs.
In the ovarian body, cancer usually develops in the form of ovarian carcinoma. This is one of the most aggressive forms of genital cancer, it affects the ovarian tissues and surrounding cells, lymph nodes, metastasizes to the liver and lungs.
In the vulva area, a carcinoma of skin cells occurs in the area of the vestibule of the vagina. Initially, the changes are localized in the surface tissues, gradually penetrating deeper.
CAUSES OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
Although the exact cause for most types of gynecological cancer has not been determined, hormonal imbalance is considered to be the leading factors contributing to the transformation of cells into a tumor. Usually this is a violation of the concentration of estrogen and progestogen hormones with a shift towards hyperestrogenism. Separately, the causes of development for cervical cancer are distinguished. It has already been proven that its development is affected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) of individual strains.
CANCER RISK GROUPS
Although signs of cancer in gynecology can be determined in any woman, even if she does not have any problems with the reproductive sphere, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of cancer:
• overweight and obesity, since adipose tissue cells are hormonally active;
• early onset of menstruation and its late completion, indicating hormonal changes;
• anovulation (absence of the release of eggs from the ovaries).
For cervical cancer, additional risk factors are considered to be a large number of sexual partners and sexual infections that increase the chances of HPV infection.
THE FIRST SIGNS AND TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER
For cervical cancer, bleeding during douching, sexual intercourse, pain in the lower abdomen, increased urination, night pain in the lower back are typical. With an endometrial tumor, intermenstrual bleeding and spotting occur. If a woman has entered menopause, there may be bleeding without cyclicity, abundant watery discharge. The pain occurs in the later stages, spreads to the lower back, sacrum and pubis. With vaginal cancer, there are no initial signs, as the cancer develops, there may be discharge, ulcers on the mucous membrane, bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen.
Vulvar cancer manifests itself as a neoplasm on the labia, burning, itching and ulcers with bleeding.
The defeat of the ovaries does not make itself felt for a long time, it is detected during examinations. At a late stage, pain of an indeterminate nature is typical.
DIAGNOSIS OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
Screening examination for the detection of cervical cancer is a PAP test (cytological smear with the determination of cell type). If atypical cells are detected, minimal intervention and elimination of the affected area is possible. The survey is carried out every year in the period from the 5th day of the cycle to the 25th day. Extended colposcopy with targeted biopsy of the lesion is also shown. A laboratory examination of tissues from a suspicious focus is carried out.
