Abdominal cancer

The term “abdominal cancer” refers to various types of cancer of female genital organs: cervical and uterine cancer, ovarian and fallopian cancer, vaginal cancer and labia cancer. All these cancers are treated by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy, depending on their severity.

The main goal of any cancer treatment is the complete removal of the tumour, and the treating doctor always has several treatment methods and combinations available to achieve this.

Cervical cancer

Uterine cancer

Ovarian cancer

Fallopian tube cancer

Vaginal cancer

Vulval cancer

Cervical cancer

The cervix marks the connection between the upper part of the uterus and the vagina. If cell changes and precursors of cancer develop in the area of the cervix, they are usually preceded by infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Advanced cell changes can lead to a malignant tumour.

Since human papillomavirus is the greatest risk factor for cervical cancer, gynaecologists recommend that girls get vaccinated against the most common carcinogenic types of HPV in order to significantly reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.

Uterine cancer

Uterine cancer – also known as uterine corpus cancer or endometrial cancer – develops in the uterine mucosa (endometrium). This form of abdominal cancer usually occurs after menopause (mainly between the ages of 60 and 80). As you get older, the risk of developing uterine cancer increases. The duration of the oestrogen effect on the tissue of the uterine mucous membrane also plays a role in connection with the risk of disease.

In many cases, bleeding disorders and/or bleeding from the uterus or vagina are among the first signs of disease. Accordingly, alarm bells should ring in the event of any bleeding after the menopause and a consultation with a specialist should be sought promptly.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour of the ovaries. There are various types of ovarian tumours, which are classified according to cell type and growth pattern, among other things. In practice, ovarian cancer often goes unnoticed for a long time, which means that the majority of ovarian cancer is only discovered in the advanced stage.

There are no “typical” symptoms in ovarian cancer. The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age. However, environmental and nutritional factors, infertility and not having given birth to a child also play a role. Hereditary (genetic) changes can also increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. By contrast, pregnancies and taking the contraceptive pill reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Fallopian tube cancer

Fallopian tube cancer develops in the ducts leading from the ovaries to the uterus, with most carcinomas affecting the fallopian tubes being metastases of other forms of cancer. In addition to the advanced age of the affected woman, the most common causes of fallopian tube cancer include prolonged or chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes and infertility. Hereditary changes can also lead to fallopian cancer.

Vaginal cancer

Vaginal carcinomas are malignant changes of the vagina. The good news is that vaginal cancer is extremely rare. Vaginal cancer only becomes symptomatic at an advanced stage. The causes of vaginal cancer are largely unknown; however, it is known that

human papillomavirus infections may increase the risk of developing vaginal cancer.

Vulval cancer

Vulval cancer – also known as vulva carcinoma – is a rather rare gynaecological tumour of the outer female genital organs (labia). The following causes and risk factors are known in connection with the development of vulval cancer: increasing age (from 60 years and older), human papillomavirus infections, infections in the genital area (sexually transmitted diseases), immunodeficiency, smoking, lack of or excessive genital hygiene.