Gynaecological cancer
Cancers that start in a woman’s reproductive system are called gynaecological cancers. Gynaecological cancers are named according to the organ or part of the body where they first develop, including ovary, vulva, cervix, womb (endometrium) and vagina.
Types of gynaecological cancer
- Cervical cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina).
- Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells within the ovary start to multiply, creating a tumour affecting the normal function of the ovary.
- Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in your vagina – the muscular tube that connects your uterus with your outer genitals.
- Vulval cancer is a rare cancer that begins in cells of the vulva, which is the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, outer and inner vaginal lips (labia), and the perineum.
- Womb cancer also known as endometrial cancer, is cancer of the uterus or uterine cancer, is cancer of the lining of the womb.
- Fallopian tube cancer, which is a very rare cancer that begins in the fallopian tubes (the tubes leading from the ovary to the womb).
- Placental cancer (a pregnancy-related cancer), a very rare cancer which occurs when abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta (the organ that develops during pregnancy to nurture the foetus).
