Gynecologic cancer is a study in contrasts.
Detection can be incredibly simple, or nearly impossible until the cancer is in advanced stages.
Contributing factors range from behavioral practices to genetic predisposition. It's no wonder then, despite the fact that more than 80,000 women are diagnosed each year, gynecologic cancer is shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Contributing to the confusion is the fact that gynecologic cancer is a term that encompasses a group of cancers. These include malignancies of the cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar areas. Anatomically related yet distinct in causes, manifestations and treatment, these diseases are the focus of a specialized field of medicine, gynecologic oncology.