Gynecologic Health

Maintain Your Gynecologic Health with Education and Early Detection

Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer is typically a disease of older women and is often heralded by itching in the vulvar area. Women in their 70ís, 80ís, and 90ís, should not attribute perineal itching only to yeast and other infections, and should have a physician examine them if these symptoms persist. Most vulvar lesions in older women should be biopsied. It is encouraging to note that this is a very curable type of cancer, usually with surgical removal of the vulvar lesions and the groin lymph nodes. Risk factors include diabetes, advanced age, and chronic vulvar irritation.

Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancers are very rare. They are usually diagnosed in elderly women and treated with radiation. One exception occurs in women who were DES exposed in utero, and then they are at risk of developing a rare form of vaginal cancer called clear cell cancer. Since this usually occurs in women in their late 20ís, and since DES has not been used in pregnancy since the 1960ís, clear cell vaginal cancer is even less common than in the past.

Cancer of the Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes will rarely develop cancer. Treatments and risk factors for fallopian tube cancer are similar to ovarian cancer.

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Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
230 W. Monroe, Suite 2528
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 578-1439
E-mail: sgo@sba.com