Cervix, Female Urethra, Ovary, Uterine Corpus, Vagina, Vulva
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Cervical cancer
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There are two main types of cervical cancer, named after the type of cell they start in. Squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of cervical cancer, starts in the squamous or skin-like cells which cover the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina. Adenocarcinoma is a less common type of cervical cancer. It starts in cells called glandular cells which are in the cervical canal. The cervical canal is a small opening in the cervix which leads into the uterus (womb). Cervical cancer may be microinvasive or invasive.
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Microinvasive cervical cancer
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This is when cancer cells have just broken through the bottom layer of the skin of the cervix. At this stage, the cells have not spread more than five millimetres into the tissues of the cervix.
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Invasive cervical cancer
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Here the cancer cells have spread from the surface skin of the cervix into the deeper tissues of the cervix. The cancer may also have spread to part of the vagina or to the lymph nodes and other tissues around the cervix, within the pelvis, or beyond the genital and pelvic areas into nearby organs.
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Ovarian cancer
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This is a malignant tumour in one or both ovaries. The most common type is serous papillary, but other types include endometroid, clear cell and mucinous carcinoma.
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Cancer of the uterus (womb)
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This is the most common gynaecological cancer affecting women in Australia. Most cancers of the uterus are cancers of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Cancers can also develop in the muscle layers of the uterus.
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Adenocarcinoma
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This is a cancer that starts in glandular tissue; most women who are diagnosed with cancer of the uterus have this type of cancer. The less common types of cancer of the uterus are adenosquamous carcinoma, papillary serous carcinoma and, rarely, clear cell carcinoma or uterine sarcoma.
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Vaginal cancer
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This is cancer that begins in tissue in the vagina. This is a known as a primary vaginal cancer as the cancer first starts in the vagina. Some cancers begin in another part of the body (cervix, uterus, bladder or bowel) and spread to the vagina. These are known as secondary vaginal cancers. The most common type of vaginal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the thin, flat cells lining the vagina. Another type of vaginal cancer is adenocarcinoma, a cancer that begins in glandular cells in the lining of the vagina.
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Vulva cancer
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This cancer begins in cells in the vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips and the opening to the vagina).
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For more information on ovarian, cervical and other gynaecology cancer types and service, go to Gynae-Oncology Service.
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Useful Links
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Cervical Cancer booklet by the Cancer Council of Victoria >>
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Ovarian Cancer booklet by the Cancer Council of Victoria >>
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