Early Diagnosis and Advanced Treatment of Gynecologic Cancers Improve Long-Term Survival
Gynecologic Cancer Symptoms
While the symptoms of certain gynecologic cancers may be similar to those of other, less harmful conditions, see your doctor if you experience several of the following:
- Abdominal swelling
- Diarrhea, constipation or frequent urination
- Fullness after eating small meals
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Odor
- One swollen leg
- Pain during intercourse or when urinating
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
September 2005 — Every 6.4 minutes (or almost 80,000 times per year) a woman in the United States is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Staggering as that number may be, what is more alarming is that the majority of these women ignored early warning signs or symptoms.
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know your risk of gynecologic cancers and what to do if you suspect something unusual? Awareness and early detection are essential for women to protect themselves against these types of cancers.
Awareness and Hope
“When diagnosed and treated in early stages, gynecologic cancers, such as endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer, offer excellent prognoses for long-term survival,” says Srinath Sundararaman, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology Services at Memorial Regional Hospital and radiation oncologist on the medical staff at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar and Memorial Hospital Pembroke. “However, diagnosis in later stages reduces survival rates considerably.”
An effective, although not absolute, method of prevention is an annual check-up with a gynecologist. Pap tests aid in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and help reduce the number of cervical cancer cases. But annual screenings may not detect all gynecologic cancers.
It is important for women to understand the risk factors, warning signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers. While some risk factors, such as race or age, are out of a woman’s control, other factors can be managed and should be discussed with a physician.
Advanced Treatment Options
Treatment for certain gynecologic cancers may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Treatment depends on the patient, the type of cancer and the progression of the disease.
Early-stage cancers often can be treated with surgery alone. “Thanks to recent advances in surgical technique, we frequently are able to remove tumors through less invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic or vaginal surgery,” says Ely Brand, MD, gynecologic oncologist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Miramar.
If the disease is more advanced, follow-up radiation and/or chemotherapy are recommended. For inoperable cancers, radiation and chemotherapy are essential.
“Memorial Cancer Institute is committed to providing the latest treatments available to improve our patients’ lives,” says Dr. Sundararaman. “For certain gynecologic cancers, advanced technology, such as high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, allows us to direct radiation into or near the cancer. This increases the effectiveness of the radiation while reducing the duration of treatments and side effects for the patient.”
If you are concerned about your risk of gynecologic cancer and would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.