Gynecologic Cancer

Cancers We Treat

Our mission at Evansville Cancer Center is to provide compassionate treatment and support for those diagnosed with cancer. We offer an environment that promotes both education and innovative treatment options personalized to your needs.

If you or a loved one have been referred to radiation therapy for gynecologic cancer treatment, we can help by providing state-of-the-art care close to home.

Gynecologic cancer is a type of cancer in women that affects a biological female’s reproductive system. This includes cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Less commonly, gynecologic cancer can develop in the fallopian tubes.

Gynecologic cancer generally responds well to treatment, especially if it’s caught early. This means that screening and being in communication with your doctor about any potential symptoms is extremely important.

Our radiation oncologists are trained in the latest technologies for cancer treatment, including gynecologic cancers. We’re here to help you understand your options and to provide support throughout the treatment process.

What to Expect with Gynecologic Cancer

There are five common types of gynecologic cancer. Each has its own symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.

Cervical cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the cervix. It is usually connected with an infection caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. However, overall, this cancer is quite rare in the United States—the Center for Disease Control reports that there are only about 11,500 new cases per year. It is usually treated by surgery to remove the cancer, followed by medications and radiation therapy.

Ovarian cancer is a growth of cancer cells in one or both of the ovaries. There are three kinds of ovarian cancer: epithelial, which develops in the tissue around the ovaries; stromal tumors, which develop in the tissues that connect the ovaries; and germ cell tumors, which develop inside the ovaries. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common. Treatment often involves surgery and radiation.

Uterine cancer refers to any cancer in the uterus. Endometrial is the most common type and involves cancer cells growing on the inside of the uterus walls. Uterine sarcoma is far more rare and develops in the muscle tissue of the uterus. Uterine cancer is the most common reproductive cancer affecting women and those assigned female at birth in the United States. Treatment may involve radiation therapy, estrogen therapy, and/or medications.

Vaginal cancer develops in the vagina and is very rare. It usually occurs when cancer elsewhere in the body spreads. Like cervical cancer, most cases of vaginal cancer occur as part of an HPV infection. There are several kinds of vaginal cancer, the most common of which is vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, which develops in the thin, flat cells that line the surface of the vagina. Treatment can involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Vulvar cancer is usually seen as a lump or sore on the vulva. The cause isn’t clear, but some suggest that it’s related to HPV infections. There are three kinds: vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (the most common), vulvar melanoma, and Extramammary Paget’s disease of the vulva. Treatment usually starts with surgery, followed by radiation therapy and, if necessary, other treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Fallopian tube cancer refers to abnormal cells that develop in the fallopian tubes. It may lead to ovarian cancer. Those with a BRCA gene mutation are more at risk, although overall, this cancer is quite rare, making up only about 1% of gynecologic caners. Treatment may involve the removal of the infected area, as well as other therapies like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

To find out more about the treatments and support we provide for these cancers, as well as what to expect on your first visit, see our For Patients page.

Risk Factors for Gynecologic Cancer

Paying attention to your body and keeping an eye out for any unusual changes can help you take note of any gynecologic cancer symptoms early on. Your doctor can provide you with the support and information you need to take the next step in getting gynecologic cancer treatment.

While symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer, there are some general things to keep an eye out for. These include:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Heavier/painful periods
• Difficult or painful urination
• Abdominal bloating
• Pelvic pain
• Any masses or sores

It’s important to note that people with gynecologic cancers don’t always experience symptoms. Because of this, it’s a good idea to stay up to date on screenings and to keep your family history in mind.

Radiation Treatment for Gynecologic Cancer

The best type of treatment for gynecologic cancer will depend on the type of cancer and your specific situation. However, many gynecologic cancers respond well to a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy

One type of radiation therapy we offer is brachytherapy. This is an internal radiation therapy that involves inserting a temporary or permanent radioactive implant into your body to release targeted radiation near the tumor while reducing exposure to healthy tissue around it.

There are several types of brachytherapy commonly used for gynecologic cancer treatment:

• Tandems are small metal tubes placed in the uterus during treatment and removed afterward.
• Ovoids are round, hollow metal holders that are placed adjacent to the cervix during cervical cancer treatment and removed afterward.

Evansville Cancer Center is one of the few clinics offering these kinds of interstitial treatments in the area.

Other Therapies

Other treatments may also be options, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, estrogen therapy, and various medications. Several therapies might be used together, depending on your treatment plan.

Tumor Board

All of the diagnosis areas at Evansville Cancer Center work with a tumor board through Deaconess Cancer Services. A tumor board is part of a treatment planning process that leads to a comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment plan. A group of doctors and other healthcare specialists reviews each patient’s case and decide on the best treatment options. This team may include:

• Pathologists
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Surgical oncologists
• Genetic experts
• Nurses
• Social workers

There are many factors that go into treating cancer, and every patient is different. We want to make sure all of your needs are taken into account when putting together your treatment plan.

Our Cancer Care Technologies

We treat patients using proven technologies in radiation oncology, including TrueBeam®, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), RapidArc®, Brachytherapy, and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Click below to learn about each of our cancer care technologies.