Most common women cancer types

Before we begin our discussion on the various women cancer types, let us take a look at what cancer actually means. We all are aware that our bodies are composed of a variety of cells. In natural course, cells grow, get divided and die. At times, cells mutate beginning to multiply more quickly in comparison to normal cells. Instead of dying, the abnormal cells group together and form tumors. When the tumors are malignant or cancerous, your healthy tissues are attacked in contrast to benign or noncancerous tumors. The cancer cells from these tumors spread or metastasize resulting in the formation of fresh tumors in different body parts. Thus all the different forms of cancer originate as a result of multiplication of abnormal cells.

There are certain cancers which are common to only women. These are breast cancer and gynecologic cancers. Gynecologic cancers are those which affect a woman's reproductive tract which include vulvar, cervical, vaginal, uterine, tubal, endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Endometrial cancer: Cancer in the uterus lining (womb) is known as endometrial cancer. It commonly occurs in women past the menopausal age. A common sign of this type of cancer is an unusual form of vaginal bleeding, referred to as "spotting".

Ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer occurs in either one or both the ovaries. The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs as well as the main female hormones - estrogen and progesterone. Many types of tumors may form inside or on the outside of the ovaries. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in the early stages. Your ovaries may be checked by your doctors during the routine pelvic examination. However, quite often, the tumors are extremely small to be properly detected.

Cervical cancer: This form of cancer affects the cervix or the lower part of the uterus. The cervix opens up the vagina or the birth canal during childbirth to facilitate the passage of a newborn baby. There are greater chances of recovery when the disease is detected early.

Uterine cancer: The most frequent form of uterine cancer is the endometrial cancer or the cancer in the uterus's lining. Another form of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma which takes place within the muscle, also called the myometrium. Spreading of the uterine cancer may take place in the external area of the uterus. There is seen the spread of cancer cells near the lymph nodes, blood vessels and nerves.

Vaginal cancer: The vagina, also called the birth canal refers to the 3 or 4 inch tube going from the lower end of the uterus or the cervix and opening up at the external genitals or the vulva. Majority of cases of vaginal cancer are the squamous cell carcinomas which originate in the epithelial lining in the vagina. About 15% of vaginal cancers are adenocarcinomas or cancers affecting the gland cells. They are seen commonly in women who are above the age of 50. 9% of vaginal cancers are melanoma, affecting the outer or the lower part of the vagina. Sarcoma is the rarest form of vaginal cancer forming inside the deep vaginal wall and not on the surface.

Vulvar cancer: The vulvar cancers mostly originate within the squamous cells. Other infrequent forms of vulvar cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, Paget's disease of the vulva and adenocarcinoma.

The reasons behind the occurrences of gynecologic cancers vary. However the common causes are HIV/AIDS infection, HPV infection and DES exposure. DES exposure refers to the synthetic estrogen administered to pregnant women prior to 1971 for prevention of miscarriage. Smoking, family history of specific diseases, age and race are also factors behind gynecologic cancers in women.

You must limit your exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) and also the HIV. Common treatment forms of gynecologic cancer as well as breast cancer include radiation, chemotherapy as well as surgery.