Gynecologic Cancers
Recognizing the interconnectedness of ovarian and all gynecologic cancers, OCRA expanded its scope in order to accelerate research and broaden our impact on patients’ lives.
Many people mistakenly think that ovarian cancer and cervical cancer are the same (or similar) diseases. While both are gynecologic cancers, they affect different parts of the reproductive system and have different risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and survival rates.
Cervical cancer is found in the cervix, which is the narrow, lower part of the uterus where it connects to the upper end of the vagina. Ovarian cancer, by contrast, often originates in the fallopian tubes or the ovaries, which are reproductive organs located on each side of the uterus in the pelvis.
OCRA’s online Clinical Trial Navigator is an easy-to-use, comprehensive tool that helps you find clinical trials for cervical cancer. Search by cancer type, treatment history, location, and more.
HPV associated cancers
The majority of cervical cancers are associated with HPV infections and are described based on how the cancer cells look microscopically:
Non-HPV cancers
Rare tumor types that are not associated with HPV infection can arise in the cervix. These include:
Symptoms associated with cervical cancer include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a healthcare professional and tell them about your concerns.
Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer with effective prevention and screening tools.
The majority of cervix cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can be spread during sexual contact. Many people have no symptoms of infection. In some people, HPV infection can cause changes in the cells of the cervix that result in the development of pre-cancer and can progress to cancer.
Fortunately, there are vaccines that can protect people from infection by the types of HPV associated with cancer development. These vaccines can be administered to girls and boys as young as nine and may be administered to adults up to the age of 45. Vaccination against HPV is highly effective at preventing infection and cancer. Learn more about who should be vaccinated and how the HPV vaccine protects against cervical and other cancers.
The Pap test, or Pap smear, screens for precancerous changes or cancer of the cervix. During a Pap test, a provider uses a speculum to visualize the cervix and collects cells from the surface of the cervix with a special brush. These cells are then examined microscopically to determine whether they show pre-cancerous changes or evidence of cancer.
Although Pap tests require the use of a speculum to visualize the cervix, a provider may do a speculum exam for other reasons without collecting a sample for a Pap smear.
Tests for the presence of the HPV virus using samples collected during the Pap smear can also provide information about a person’s risk of having or developing cervix cancer.
These screening tests have significantly reduced the number of people who develop cervix cancer because they allow providers to treat pre-cancerous changes before a cancer can develop. It is very important that all women over the age of 21 have regular screening tests for cervical cancer.
Pap tests and HPV tests only screen for cervical cancer. Ovarian cancer is not detected with the Pap test, or the HPV test.
If cervical cancer screening tests yield results that show suspicious or pre-cancerous cells, or if symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain during sex are present, a provider may recommend further testing, including:
If a biopsy confirms the presence of cervical cancer, further tests may be ordered to learn the extent of the cancer’s spread, or stage.
Imaging tests may also help determine if, or how far, cervical cancer has spread:
Treatment of cervical cancer is determined primarily by the stage at diagnosis. The clinical stage is based on whether metastatic spread is detected using imaging tests, biopsies, and physical exams. The pathologic stage includes information obtained from surgery, including whether tumor cells are present in lymph nodes or other sites.
View the American Cancer Society’s detailed information on cervical cancer stages.
Treatment for cervical cancer largely depends on the stage. In the early stages, cervical cancer may be treated with surgery. Sometimes people additionally receive radiation or chemotherapy after surgery. In advanced stages, surgery is not recommended. Instead, most people are treated with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Recent studies have now demonstrated that immune therapy can also improve outcomes for people with metastatic or recurrent cervix cancer. Read more about cervical cancer treatments.
A recurrence refers to cancer that has come back after treatment. If cervical cancer recurs, a doctor will assess the location of the recurrent disease and make recommendations for treatment. In determining next steps, patients should discuss their goals for care and treatment.
Some patients may be able to participate in a clinical trial that evaluates up-and-coming treatments for cervical cancer recurrence.
The average 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer varies based on the stage at diagnosis. For early-stage disease, the 5-year overall survival may be as high as 91%. In people with regional spread to other sites in the pelvis or lymph nodes, the average 5-year survival is 60%. For people with distant spread, it is 19%.
As with every cancer diagnosis, it is important to remember that statistics are a set of trends based on observations of large groups of people and are not an individual prognosis. If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, talk to your medical team about your specific circumstances.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2024, 13,820 women will find out they have invasive cervical cancer, and 4,360 women will die from cervical cancer.
For detailed information about cervical cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.
OCRA has several support programs available for those with cervical cancer, as well as their loved ones. OCRA’s Woman to Woman Peer Mentor Program matches trained compassionate survivor Mentors with gynecologic cancer patients. Woman to Woman is offered at sites across the country and is also available through our virtual national mentoring program. Request a peer Mentor through OCRA’s Woman to Woman Peer Mentor Program.
Those with cervical cancer and all gynecologic cancers are also invited to participate in OCRA’s comprehensive virtual Staying Connected Support Series. Sessions are offered on a weekly and monthly basis, and cover a wide range of topics. Registration is required. View the support series schedule and register today.
OCRA’s online support forum through Inspire provides a warm, welcoming space for patients, survivors and loved ones to talk about life with cervical cancer.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of ovarian and all gynecologic cancers, OCRA expanded its scope in order to accelerate research and broaden our impact on patients’ lives.
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