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Even with an annual Pap smear test and the new vaccination for young women, cervical cancer can’t be totally prevented. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer of the cervix.
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Vaginal cancer is a relatively rare disorder, comprising about 2% to 3% of all gynecologic cancers. Approximately 2,400 women are diagnosed each year with vaginal cancer in the United States.
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The chance of getting ovarian cancer increases as a woman gets older. Ovarian cancer occurs in women over the age of 50 and the highest risk is in women over 60.
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Uterine cancer is the most common of all cancers in the female reproductive system. It can either form in the inner lining of the uterus or the outer layer of muscle tissue.
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Thought to be caused by a problem with the genetic information transmitted between an egg and sperm, molar pregnancy can develop during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Testimonials
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When Jan Holsclaw found out she had ovarian cancer, she was referred to Dr. Bigsby at Florida Hospital Cancer Institute for surgery and treatment. With reassuring words and...
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TV Personality Jan C. Garavaglia, M.D., (aka "Dr. G") is the chief medical examiner for the District Nine (Orange-Osceola) Medical Examiner's Office in Florida. When she... -
Bonnie has helped to raise millions of dollars for ovarian cancer research taking place at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), Centers for Disease...
Complex Endometrial Hyperplasia
Endometrial hyperplasia is the medical term for unusual or excessive cell growth in the inner glandular lining of the uterus, also called the endometrium. Most of the time, endometrial hyperplasia is uncomplicated and easily treated by your ob/gyn provider, with minimal intervention.
Women in menopause or experiencing menopausal symptoms can be more at risk for developing endometrial hyperplasia. Imbalance of hormones or hormonal changes can happen around the time of menopause, and contribute to the development of hyperplasia in some women. Endometrial hyperplasia of the uterus, by itself, is not cancerous, but it does require treatment and monitoring to prevent the risk of cancer.
However, there are times when uterine hyperplasia can get worse, leading to atypical and precancerous cellular changes. This is why any woman with hyperplasia is considered to be at a higher risk for cancer than one without. If you’ve just been diagnosed with a thickened endometrium, you should know that there are many steps between hyperplasia and full-blown uterine cancer — and early identification and intervention for uterine abnormalities is highly successful.
Endometrial Hyperplasia and its relation to Cancer
Simple hyperplasia- this is simply an increased thickness in the endometrium with an increased number of glands. There is no cytological atypia (abnormal, malignant appearing cells). Treatment is usually with progesterone supplementation and there is a <1% chance of progression to cancer.
Complex hyperplasia without atypia- this type is a little thicker than simple hyperplasia, and has more crowding and abnormal architecture to the glands. Without treatment, about 10% of patients will progress to endometrial cancer. Treatment is typically with progesterone, although hysterectomy is an option in women who have completed childbearing and are at acceptable surgical risk.
Complex hyperplasia with atypia- similar architectural abnormalities as complex hyperplasia without atypia, only the cells have bizarre appearances. Because of the significant risk of invasive endometrial cancer (40%), all patients with this diagnosis should have a consultation with and/or be managed by a surgeon capable of performing complete surgical staging that includes lymphadenectomy.