Gynecologic cancers are divided into types according to the organ in which they form. Each of the different types has different risk factors, symptoms, and treatments.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the tunnel that leads from the uterus (the womb) to the vagina. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a common, sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer can be treated successfully, especially if it is found early by yearly pap smears. Learn more about treatment for cervical cancer.

Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, forms in the cells that make up the lining of the uterus (the womb). Learn about treatment for uterine cancer.

There are two main types of uterine cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma makes up the majority of cases of uterine cancer. Adenocarcinoma is cancer that forms from the cells that make up the glands in the lining of the uterus.
• Uterine carcinosarcoma consists of cells that have features of both uterine carcinoma and uterine sarcoma. Many doctors now believe that it is a type of carcinoma in which the cells are poorly differentiated (very different from normal cells and likely to be fast growing).

There are many other subtypes of uterine carcinoma, but some doctors divide them into two broad categories:

• Type 1 uterine carcinomas are thought to be caused by excess estrogen and are slow growing.
• Type 2 uterine carcinomas have an uncertain cause, and they are more likely to grow fast and spread. Doctors treat these tumors more aggressively.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer forms in the ovaries, which produce female hormone and eggs. Some types of benign tumors are easily treated, and patients have a good outlook.

The most common type of malignant ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage, so it can be more difficult to treat it successfully. Learn more about treatment for ovarian cancer.

Malignant ovarian cancer is classified according to the type of cell in which it forms.

• Epithelial tumors make up most ovarian cancer cases. These tumors form from the cells that cover the ovary or the opening of the fallopian tubes.
• Benign epithelial tumors usually don’t spread and aren’t usually life-threatening.
• Malignant epithelial tumors can grow and spread throughout the abdomen and into other organs. They are often life-threatening because they don’t cause symptoms until they are in an advanced stage.
• Tumors of low malignant potential are similar to epithelial tumors but are not clearly cancerous when examined under a microscope. These tumors tend to develop more often in younger women than other ovarian tumors. They grow slowly and are less life-threatening than most ovarian cancers.
• Recurrent ovarian cancer is ovarian cancer that has returned, or recurred, after treatment.

Other types of ovarian cancer, which occur more rarely, include:

• Germ cell tumors. This type of ovarian cancer forms in the cells that produce the actual egg. Most of these tumors are benign (noncancerous), but some are cancerous and can be life-threatening. Most patients with these tumors have a good outlook with treatment. Subtypes of germ cell tumors include teratoma, dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumor, and choriocarcinoma.
• Stromal tumors. These tumors form in the cells that hold the ovaries together and produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. They make up about 1 percent of ovarian cancers. Many of them are found at an early stage, when the outlook for patients is good.

Uterine Sarcoma

Uterine sarcoma is a rare cancer that forms in the muscle or other supporting tissues of the uterus (the womb). Learn more about treatment for sarcomas.

Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer forms in the vagina, which is the tunnel that leads from the uterus to the outside of the body. Vaginal cancer is rare and is very treatable if detected early. Learn more about treatment for vaginal cancer.

There are two main types of vaginal cancer:

• Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the thin, flat cells of the vaginal lining. This cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina. Squamous cell carcinoma is most common in women over age 60.
• Adenocarcinoma is rare and begins in glandular cells in the lining of the vagina. It is most often found in women aged 30 or younger.

Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer forms in the cells in the vulva, which is the outer part of the female genitals, include the folds of skin called the labia. Vulvar cancer is rare, and if it is found early, treatment is very successful. Learn more about treatment for vulvar cancer.

Learn more about gynecologic cancer:

• Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancer
• Stages of Gynecologic Cancer
• Gynecologic Cancer Risk Factors
• Types of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease