Gynecology, Obstetrics and Women Health

Gynecologic Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Symptoms often do not begin until a pre-cancer becomes a true invasive cancer and grows into nearby tissue.

When this happens, the most common symptoms are: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex (vaginal intercourse), bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, and having longer or heavier (menstrual) periods than usual. Bleeding after douching, or after a pelvic exam is a common symptom of cervical cancer but not pre-cancer. An unusual discharge from the vagina − the discharge may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause; Pain during sex (vaginal intercourse).

Ovarian Cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms include

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency

These symptoms are also commonly caused by benign (non-cancerous) diseases and by cancers of other organs. If a woman has these symptoms more than 12 times a month, she should see her doctor, preferably a gynaecologist.

Others symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• Fatigue, Upset stomach, Back pain, Pain during sex, Constipation, Menstrual changes, Abdominal swelling with weight loss

Endometrial cancer Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms may include vaginal bleeding, such as a change in their periods or bleeding between periods or after menopause. This symptom can also occur with some non-cancerous conditions, but it is important to have a test. If you have gone through menopause already, it’s especially important to report any vaginal bleeding, spotting, or abnormal discharge to your doctor.

Pain in the pelvis, feeling a mass, and losing weight without trying can also be symptoms of endometrial cancer.

Vulva cancer Signs and Symptoms

• Women with vulvar cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, women with vulvar cancer do not show any of these symptoms.
• A lump or growth in or on the vulvar area
• A patch of skin that is differently textured or colored than the rest of the vulvar area
• Persistent itching, pain, soreness, or burning in the vulvar area
• Painful urination
• Bleeding or discharge that is not menstrual blood
• An ulcer that persists for more than one month

Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

The first symptoms of breast cancer are usually an area of thickened tissue in the woman's breast, or a lump. The majority of lumps are not cancerous; however, women should get them checked by a health care professional.

The symptoms include

• A lump in a breast
• A pain in the armpits or breast that does not seem to be related to the woman's menstrual period
• Pitting or redness of the skin of the breast; like the skin of an orange
• A rash around (or on) one of the nipples
• A swelling (lump) in one of the armpits
• An area of thickened tissue in a breast
• One of the nipples has a discharge; sometimes it may contain blood
• The nipple changes in appearance; it may become sunken or inverted
• The size or the shape of the breast changes
• The nipple-skin or breast-skin may have started to peel, scale or flake.