Reproductive Tract (RT) Cancers are malignant tumors that affect the female or male genital organs. Female RT cancers include: Ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and cervical cancer, while the male RT cancers include prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
In general, carcinogenic, or cancerous cells, are abnormal cells that grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, forming tumors. Cancer cells often travel through the body (through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream), invade other organs and form new tumors; this process is called metastasis.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovaries are the female organs responsible for producing eggs and are the main source of female hormones; each woman has two ovaries, one at each side of the uterus inside the pelvis. There are 3 types of ovarian cancer, however, the most common is epithelial ovarian cancer (90% of ovarian cancers).
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include general abdominal discomfort and/or pain (gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating, cramps), nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or frequent urination, loss of appetite, feeling of fullness even after a light meal, weight gain or loss with no known reason, and abnormal bleeding from the vagina.
Detection: Diagnosis is based on several tests including a pelvic exam, ultrasound, lower gastrointestinal series and barium enema (x-rays) of the colon and rectum, CT scan and a biopsy. Ovarian cancer can be detected by testing for CA 125, a tumor marker in the blood, and transvaginal ultrasound.
Treatment: Ovarian cancers are usually treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A combination of two or more could be used.
Risk factors: The real cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, however, studies have shown that certain risk factors contribute to ovarian cancer such as age (most ovarian cancers develop after menopause), obesity (obese women are at greater risk), reproductive history (women who start menstruation before 12 years of age, women who have no children or have their first child after 30 years of age, menopause occurs after 50 years of age), family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancers, personal history of breast cancer, hormonal therapy, and smoking and alcohol use.
Prevention strategies: Studies found that some strategies reduce women’s chance for developing ovarian cancer, such as using contraceptive pills for several years, conducting tubal ligation or hysterectomy, having children, prolonged breastfeeding, and vegetarian diets.
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Uterine Cancer
The uterus is the female organ where a pregnancy occurs and the fetus develops. There are different types of uterine cancers depending on the type of uterine tissue affected. The most common is endometrial cancer as it develops in the uterine lining (endometrium). Uterine cancer goes through four stages, starting in the uterus, spreading to the cervix, then outside the uterus (but not outside of the cervix), then to the rectum and bladder or other parts of the body.
Symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, difficult or painful urination, pain during intercourse and pain in the pelvic area.
Detection: Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by pelvic exam, Pap smear test, transvaginal ultrasound and biopsy. Once diagnosed, other tests are needed to determine the stage of uterine cancer.
Treatment: Uterine cancers are usually treated by surgery and radiation therapy; a small proportion receives hormonal therapy.
Risk factors: The real cause behind uterus cancer is unknown, however, studies show some risk factors contribute to endometrial cancer such as an increased number of menstrual cycles, infertility, obesity (obese women are at greater risk), use of Tamoxifen (an anti-estrogen drug), estrogen therapy, ovarian diseases, family history of endometrial cancer, a high fat diet, personal history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, prior pelvic radiation therapy.
Prevention strategies: To decrease women’s chance of developing endometrial cancer, women should try to avoid all of the risk factors previously mentioned. Other preventive strategies include use of contraceptive pills, control obesity, routine physical exercise, increase vegetable intake, D&C and hysterectomy.
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Cervical Cancer
The cervix is the opening of the uterus, connecting it to the vagina. There are two types of cervical cancer; squamous cell carcinomas (80-90% of cervical cancers) and adenocarcinomas (10-20%). Cervical cancers usually develop over a period of time, typically over a year.
Symptoms: The early stages of cervical cancer have no symptoms at all. Later stage symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding or pain after sex, douching, or after a pelvic exam.
Detection: Cervical cancer is the easiest cancer to be detected, as it is diagnosed in several ways: a Pap smear test, a colposcopy, biopsy, and endocervical curettage. Once diagnosed, other tests are needed to determine the stage of the cancer.
Treatment: Cervical cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease, however, treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Risk factors: The most important risk factors include: being infected by certain types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cancer), smoking, HIV, chlamydia infection, long term use of birth control pills, many pregnancies, and family history of cervical cancer.
Prevention strategies: Cervical cancer may be prevented by avoiding the risk factors mentioned above, to delay sexual activity at an early age, sex with a healthy partner who is free from sexually transmitted infections, quit smoking, and start yearly Pap smear test at 21 years of age, or after 3 years from becoming sexually active (whatever comes first).
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Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a masculine gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is responsible for producing a portion of the seminal fluid. The most common type of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma, which usually develops very slowly.
Symptoms: Early stages of prostate cancer have no symptoms; advance stage symptoms include frequent urination especially at night, difficulty to begin urination or holding urine, weak or interrupted flow of urine, difficulty in having or keeping an erection, blood in urine or semen, pain in lower back, hips, or upper thighs. (Many of these symptoms could be a result of other less serious problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Detection: Manual digital rectal exam, is the simplest way to discover any prostate gland cancers. Another essential exam is a blood test called “prostate-specific antigen” (PSA). However, a biopsy test is the critical exam to confirm the presence of prostate cancer.
Treatment: Prostate cancer is usually treated by surgery, radiation, and hormonal therapy; some cases may require chemotherapy.
Risk factors: Age (above 65 years), race (black men are at greater risk than white or Asian men), nationality (North Americans and Northwestern Europeans), family history, high intake of red meat or high fat diet.
Prevention strategies: Prostate cancer may be prevented by avoiding the risk factors mentioned above, vigorous physical exercise, and starting yearly digital rectum exams after the age of 60, and after 45 years of age for men with family history of contracting prostate cancer.
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Testicular Cancer
The testes are part of the male reproductive system, found inside a scrotum sac that hangs beneath the base of the penis; they are responsible for producing sperm and male hormones, especially testosterone. Testicular cancer can develop in one or both testicles and usually occurs in young men. There are different types of testicular cancers; the most common are Seminomas and Nonseminomas which are germ cell (sperms’ producers) tumors.
Symptoms: The main symptoms are painless lump, swelling or enlargement in a testicle, feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, aching in belly or scrotum, or sudden build up of fluids in the scrotum.
Detection: Clinical exam and ultrasound of the testicles are the simplest ways to detect testicular cancer. Blood tests for certain tumor markers should be undertaken to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment: Testicular cancer is treated by removing the affected testicle through a simple surgical procedure followed by treatment according to the type of cancer.
Risk factors: Age (15-39 years), family history, hereditary conditions (men born with gonadal dysgenesis or Klinefelter’s syndrome), personal history (undescended testicles or testicular cancer in one testicle), race (white men).
Prevention strategies: Male children with undescended testicles should have corrective surgery before the age of 15.
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