There are five main types of gynecologic cancer: ovarian, uterine (endometrial), cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. These cancers start in a woman's reproductive organs and often have few or no symptoms during the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms of gynecologic cancer can be nonspecific and may overlap between specific types of cancer. In addition, the symptoms of the more advanced stages of the disease can be similar to those of other, less harmful conditions. Some of the symptoms associated with each gynecologic cancer are listed below:
Ovarian cancer
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Bloating or abdominal pain.
- Back pain.
- Pelvic pain.
- Feeling full shortly after eating.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Frequent urination
- Constipation.
Cancer of the uterus (endometrium)
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Pelvic pain or pressure.
Cervical cancer
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Pelvic pain.
- Pain during intercourse.
Vaginal cancer
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- A lump or mass in the vagina.
- Frequent or painful urination.
- Constipation.
- Pelvic pain.
Vulvar cancer
- Itching or burning in the vulva.
- Vulvar pain or tenderness.
- A lump, lesion, or other change in the skin of the vulva.
- Bleeding not associated with menstruation.
El Dr. Alfonso Ángel Quesada, gynecologist and obstetrician at Ginefem, explains in this video what are the symptoms that alert us to gynecological cancer.
