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Also called gynecologic cancers, women’s reproductive cancers are characterized by an overgrowth of abnormal cells in the reproductive system. Endometrial cancer, which starts in the inner lining of the uterus (womb), is the most common female reproductive cancer. Other types of female reproductive cancer include ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and uterine carcinoma.

The cause of women’s reproductive cancers remains unknown. However, several risk factors have been identified, such as smoking, use of birth control pills and certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Except for cervical cancer, there is no recognized method for preventing gynecologic cancers. Women can often decrease their odds of developing this group of diseases by avoiding known risk factors and obtaining regular gynecological examinations.

The symptoms of women’s reproductive cancers vary depending on the type, location and severity of the cancer. One of the most common first symptoms is abnormal uterine bleeding. Other symptoms may include irregular vaginal discharge and abdominal or pelvic pain.

Some early female reproductive cancers can be detected through routine screening tests, such as the Pap smear. However, many of the cancers do not have any early screening tests and may not be detectable until the cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage.

Women experiencing symptoms of reproductive cancers should immediately notify their physician. Diagnosis of all women’s reproductive cancers begins with a medical history, followed by a pelvic examination. A gynecologist, a physician who specializes in the female reproductive system, often performs these examinations. The gynecologist examines the uterus, ovaries and surrounding organs for potential problems.

In most cases of suspected cancer, a biopsy (the surgical removal of tissue for microscopic analysis) follows the examination. Other tests that may be used to diagnose reproductive cancers include an x-ray, colposcopy and ultrasound. Possible treatments for women’s reproductive cancers include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Each year, about 78,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cancers affecting the reproductive organs, according to the American Cancer Society. The prognosis for women’s reproductive cancers depends on the type of cancer, location, and severity of the disease. Other factors that affect the outlook for recovery include the woman’s age, general health and risk factors.