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Cervical Biopsy (Biopsy-Cervix, Cervical Punch Biopsy, Cone Biopsy, Conization) Procedure Overview What is a cervical biopsy? A cervical biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) located between the bladder and the rectum. It forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body. Types of cervical biopsies: There are several type...

Colposcopy Procedure Overview What is colposcopy? Colposcopy is a procedure that uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope, to examine the cervix (opening to the uterus) and vagina for abnormalities. The colposcope magnifies the image many times, thus allowing the physician to see the tissues on the cervix and vaginal walls more clearly. In some cases, a cervical biopsy, a small sample of tissue, may be taken for further examination in the lab. Click Image to Enlarge Wha...

Endometrial Biopsy (Biopsy-Endometrium) Procedure Overview What is an endometrial biopsy? An endometrial biopsy is a procedure performed to obtain a small tissue sample from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. After the biopsy, the endometrial tissue is examined under a microscope to identify the presence of abnormal cells, or the effects of hormones on the endometrium. Other related procedures used to evaluate and treat endometrial problems include dilation and curettage (D & C), hyst...

Hysterectomy Procedure (Removal of the Uterus) Procedure Overview What is a hysterectomy? Click Image to Enlarge Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Different portions of the uterus, as well as other organs, may be removed at the same time. The types of hysterectomy include: total hysterectomy Includes the removal of the entire uterus, including the fundus (the part of the uterus above the openings of the fallopian tubes) and the cervix, but not the tubes or ovaries. This is the most com...

Hysteroscopy Procedure Overview What is a hysteroscopy? Hysteroscopy is the visual examination of the canal of the cervix and interior of the uterus using a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a hysteroscope. The device is inserted through the vagina. Hysteroscopy may be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The hysteroscope allows for easy visual access to the interior of the cervix and uterus to assess the lining of these structures. Therapeutic maneuvers, such as taking a tissue sample (...

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone [LLETZ], Large Loop Excision of the Cervix [LLEC], Loop Cone Biopsy of the Cervix) Procedure Overview What is a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)? Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses a wire loop heated by electric current to remove cells and tissue as part of the diagnosis and treatment for abnormal or cancerous conditions in a woman’s lower genital tract. The lower genital tract i...

PAP Test Procedure (Pap Smear, Pap Screening, Papanicolaou Test) Procedure Overview What is a Pap test? A Pap test, named after Dr. George Papanicolaou who designed the test, is a screening test to collect and microscopically examine cells taken from the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) located between the bladder and the rectum. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body. With a Pap test, cells can be collected from the vagina as well ...

Pelvic Ultrasound (Ultrasound-Pelvis, Pelvic Ultrasonography, Pelvic Sonography, Pelvic Scan, Lower Abdomen Ultrasound, Gynecologic Ultrasound, Transabdominal Ultrasound, Transvaginal Ultrasound, Endovaginal Ultrasound) Procedure Overview What is a pelvic ultrasound? A pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess organs and structures within the female pelvis. A pelvic ultrasound allows quick visualization of the female pelvic organs and structures including the ...

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (Gorlin Syndrome) The risk for ovarian cancer and skin cancer is increased with basal cell nevus syndrome (also called Gorlin syndrome and nevoid basal cell carcinoma), a rare autosomal dominant cancer genetic syndrome. Features associated with basal cell nevus syndrome may include the following: development of more than two basal cell carcinomas (cancer of the outer layer of the skin) before the age of 30 cysts in the jaw characteristic facial appearance (60 percent of people)...

Genetics of Ovarian Cancer According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the lifetime risk for a woman to develop breast cancer is 12.8 percent or one in eight, while the lifetime risk to develop ovarian cancer is 1.5 percent, or one in 67. Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of breast and ovarian cancers are due to known predisposing genetic factors. This means that the majority of breast and ovarian cancers are, in fact, not inherited. A gene is a basic unit of heredity that determines a person’...

Ovarian Cancer and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) The risk for ovarian cancer is increased with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), or Lynch syndrome, an autosomal dominant cancer genetic syndrome. A clinical diagnosis of HNPCC is made when all of the following characteristics are present in a family: three or more relatives with colorectal cancer or other HNPCC-related cancer (cancer of the endometrium, ovary, small bowel, stomach, liver, brain, skin, prostate, gallbladder ducts...

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome The risk for breast and ovarian cancer is increased with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a rare early-onset autosomal dominant disorder, associated with specific physical characteristics in addition to increased cancer risks. The features associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome may include the following: melanocytic macules (dark blue or brown moles) These moles may be located around and/or in the mouth (including the lips), and around the eyes, nostrils, and anus. Dark moles may als...

Cancer Treatment: Overview There are many different methods of treating cancer. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Treatment Protocols for Cancer: Overview Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Hormone Therapy Immunotherapy or Biological Therapy Investigational Treatment / Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials What are clinical trials? Clinical trials are studies, managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-profit organizations, or commercial businesses, to develop, produce, and evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. What are some types of clinical trials? According to the National Cancer Institute, there are different types of cancer clinical trials, including: prevention trials designed to keep cancer from developing in people w...

Ovarian Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What are the ovaries? The ovaries are female reproductive organs located in the pelvis. There are two of them - one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone control the development of female body characteristics (i.e., breasts, body shape and body hair) and regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. What is ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant cells ar...

Overview of Cancer What is cancer? It is the nature of cells to divide and increase their number in a process called mitosis. Normal cells divide to replace those lost, or to repair injuries only, then stop dividing. Cancer is an abnormal, continuous multiplying of cells. The cells divide uncontrollably and may grow into adjacent tissue or spread to distant parts of the body. The mass of cancer cells eventually become large enough to produce lumps, masses, or tumors that can be detected, which can be be...

Radiation Therapy and Cancer Treatment Radiation therapy for cancer treatment: Radiation therapy (also called therapeutic radiology or radiation oncology) uses special kinds of energy waves or particles to fight cancer. Like surgery, radiation therapy is used in several ways depending on the type and location of the cancer. Certain levels of radiation work to destroy cancer cells or prevent cells from growing or reproducing. This treatment may provide a cure for cancer, control the disease, or help reli...

Treatment Protocols for Cancer: Overview How is cancer treated? Specific treatment for cancer will be determined by your physician based on: your overall health and medical history extent of the disease - type, grade, stage, and location your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies expectations for the course of the disease your opinion or preference What are the four goals of treatment? successful treatment prevention prolonged life palliation (Palliation is treatment for a symptom...

Uterine Cancer What is the uterus? Click Image to Enlarge The uterus, also called the womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. What are parts of the uterus? cervix - the narrow, lower portion of the uterus corpus - the broader, upper part of the uterus myometrium - the outer layer of the corpus; the muscle that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus endometrium - the inner lining of the uterus What is uterine cancer? Cancers...

Vaginal Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What is the vagina? The vagina is the passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb, or uterus) and the vulva (the external genitalia). What is vaginal cancer? Cancer of the vagina, a rare kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which malignant cells are found in the tissues of the vagina. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), abo...

Vulvar Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What is the vulva? The vulva is the external portion of the female genital organs. It includes: labia majora - two large, fleshy lips, or folds of skin labia minora - small lips that lie inside the labia majora and surround the openings to the urethra and vagina vestibule - space where the vagina opens prepuce - a fold of skin formed by the labia minora clitoris - a small protrusion sensitive to stimulation fourchette - area beneath the vaginal opening where the labi...

Cervical Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What is the cervix? The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) located between the bladder and the rectum. It forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body. What are precancerous conditions of the cervix? Precancerous conditions of the cervix are identified as cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not cancerous at the present time. However, the appearance of these abnormal cells may be the first evidence of canc...

Chemotherapy What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such as radiation or surgery. Often, a...

Diagnostic Procedures for Cancer: Overview What are diagnostic procedures for cancer? When symptoms suggest cancer, your physician may request/perform any of the following procedures to help positively diagnose it: a detailed medical history - family and personal thorough physical examination pelvic examination of the uterus, vagina, ovaries, bladder, and rectum Pap test may be requested at the time of pelvic examination Other diagnostic procedures that may be requested include: imaging tests , such as:...

Endometrial Cancer Click Image to Enlarge What is endometrial cancer? The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. Cancer of the endometrium, the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs, is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the endometrium. Endometrioid cancer is a specific type of endometrial cancer. Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus. About 80 percent of all endometrial canc...

General Information About Cancer: Overview There are more than 100 types of cancers - each with its own specific risk factors, diagnostic procedures, and treatment protocols. Listed in the directory below is a general overview of cancer, and information regarding diagnosis and treatment. Overview of Cancer Diagnostic Procedures for Cancer: Overview Grading and Staging of Cancer Cancer Treatment: Overview Treatment Protocols for Cancer: Overview Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Hormone Therapy Immu...

Grading and Staging of Cancer What is grading of cancer? After the determination is made as to the type of cancer, the cancer is graded - a measurement of how aggressive the tumor is. Most cancer cells are graded by how much they look like normal cells. Grading is done in the lab using cancerous cells taken during biopsy. Cancers are usually graded from low to high. Low grade cancers look like normal tissue under the microscope. High grade tumors look very abnormal and are generally more aggressive with...

Gynecological Cancers There are several different types of gynecological cancer that require the care of a physician. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Cervical Cancer Endometrial Cancer Ovarian Cancer Uterine Cancer Vaginal Cancer Vulvar Cancer

What Is Ovarian Cancer? Ovarian cancer causes more deaths per year than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Who Women over the age of 65 are most likely to develop ovarian cancer though it does occur among younger women and even among children. How many Ovarian cancer will be detected in approximately 21,500 women and cause about 14,600 deaths in the United States in 2009. Symptoms There are often no obvious signs or symptoms until the cancer has spread. Vague digestive disturbances may ...

What Is Endometrial Cancer? Love them or hate them, your periods lower your chance of getting some kinds of cancer. When you have your period, the tissue that lines your uterus peels off and flushes itself out of your body. Your body replaces this tissue every month until you reach menopause or become pregnant. It is more common for cancer to develop on the lining of the uterus after menopause. This type of cancer is called endometrial cancer. Women can also get this cancer before menopause, too. In fac...