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Genitourinary Cancer

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Genitourinary Cancer

Uterine Cancer

The uterus, or womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in the female pelvis, responsible for supporting fetal development during pregnancy. Uterine cancer develops when cells in the uterus begin to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system.

There are two primary types of uterine cancer:

  • Endometrial cancer: Arises from the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It accounts for most of the uterine cancers.
  • Uterine sarcoma: A rare and more aggressive form that begins in the muscle layer (myometrium) or connective tissues of the uterus.

Endometrial cancer is the second most common and fourth leading cause of death due to gynecological malignancy worldwide, as recorded in 2020.

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Early-stage uterine cancer often presents noticeable symptoms, which makes a timely diagnosis possible. Common symptoms include:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after menopause, between periods, or unusually heavy periods
  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Vaginal discharge that is watery or blood-tinged
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Difficulty or pain while urinating

Persistent or unusual symptoms should prompt a medical consultation, especially in postmenopausal individuals.

Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer

Several factors can increase the risk of uterine cancer, particularly endometrial cancer:

  • Age: Most cases occur in women over 50
  • Hormonal imbalance, particularly excessive estrogen without progesterone
  • Obesity, which increases estrogen levels
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Diabetes and hypertension
  • Use of tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment
  • Never having been pregnant

    • Not everyone with risk factors will develop uterine cancer, and some without known risk factors may still be affected.

Preventive Measures

While uterine cancer cannot always be prevented, certain steps can reduce the risk:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle
  • Managing conditions like diabetes and PCOS
  • Using hormonal contraception (birth control pills) under medical supervision
  • Treating pre-cancerous endometrial conditions

Women experiencing postmenopausal bleeding should always seek prompt medical evaluation.

Cervical Cancer

The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably and develop into cancer. It is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, especially when detected early through routine screening.

Cervical cancer mainly affects women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB), most often between the ages of 30 and 45.

The two main types of cervical cancer are:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma (most common, ~70–90%): Begins in the thin, flat cells lining the cervix.
  • Adenocarcinoma: Develops in the mucus-producing glandular cells of the cervical canal.

In India, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

In the early stages, cervical cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, including after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause
  • Unusual vaginal discharge (often watery, pink, or foul-smelling)
  • Pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse
  • Increased urinary frequency or pain during urination
  • Difficulty or pain while urinating

Persistent symptoms should not be ignored and should prompt medical evaluation.

Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer primarily results from persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). However, several other risk factors can contribute to its development:

  • HPV infection: Especially HPV types 16 and 18
  • Early sexual activity or multiple sexual partners
  • Smoking: Weakens cervical cells' ability to fight off HPV
  • Weakened immune system, including HIV/AIDS
  • Long-term use of oral contraceptives (5+ years)
  • Lack of regular Pap/HPV testing
  • Low socioeconomic status, affecting access to preventive care
  • HPV is extremely common, but not all infections lead to cervical cancer.

Preventive Measures

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers through vaccination and regular screening. Key steps include:

  • HPV vaccination: Recommended for preteens and young adults (both females and males) to protect against cancer-causing HPV strains
  • Regular Pap tests and HPV tests: Help detect precancerous changes before cancer develops
  • Safe sexual practices: Including condom use and limiting number of sexual partners
  • Quitting smoking: Reduces the risk of cervical and other cancers

Ovarian Cancer

The female reproductive system includes two ovaries, located on each side of the uterus. These almond-shaped organs are responsible for producing eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, which produce eggs in females. In its early stages, ovarian cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms, but individuals may experience pain or pressure in the lower abdomen and vaginal bleeding. Ovarian cancer affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Ovarian cancer affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Approximately 1.1% of females will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetime.

There are three major types of ovarian cancer:

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Stromal tumors
  • Germ cell tumors

Symptoms of Ovarian cancer

In its early stages, ovarian cancer may not show clear symptoms. Early symptoms may include pain or pressure in the pelvis, unexpected vaginal bleeding, pain in the back or abdomen, bloating, feeling full quickly when eating, changes in urination patterns such as more frequent urination, and changes in bowel habits such as constipation. A person should consult a doctor if any of these symptoms last for two weeks or longer.

Additional symptoms may include nausea and indigestion, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathlessness, and fatigue. The symptoms may change if the cancer spreads to other body parts.

Risk factors of ovarian cancer

Factors that can increase the risk of ovarian cancer include

  • Older age: The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age and is most commonly diagnosed in older adults.
  • Inherited gene changes: A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by genetic changes inherited from parents.
    • Genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which also increase the risk of breast cancer, are linked to ovarian cancer.
    • Other gene changes associated with Lynch syndrome and genes like BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D also elevate the risk.
  • Family history: Having close relatives diagnosed with ovarian cancer can increase the risk.
  • Being overweight or obese: It is linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Using hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms may raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Starting menstruation early or entering menopause late can raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Women who have never been pregnant may have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
  • After identifying the risk factors, the treatment options may include surgery (laparoscopy), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy.

Preventive Measures

Although ovarian cancer cannot be completely prevented, certain factors are linked to lower risk, such as using birth control pills for 5 or more years, giving birth, breastfeeding or chestfeeding for at least a year, and having surgeries like an oophorectomy, tubal ligation, or hysterectomy.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) also recommends adopting a healthy, well-balanced diet, maintaining a moderate weight, and quitting smoking to help lower the risk.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. The prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland found only in males, produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is the most common type of cancer among men. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and remain confined to the prostate gland, often causing no significant harm. However, some types may grow more aggressively.

There are four major types of prostate cancer:

  • Small cell carcinomas
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Transitional cell carcinomas
  • Sarcomas

    • Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in India.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

In its early stages, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms. When symptoms appear, they often include trouble urinating, decreased force in the urine stream, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss, and erectile dysfunction.

Additional symptoms may include nausea and indigestion, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathlessness, and fatigue. The symptoms may change if the cancer spreads to other body parts.

Risk factors of prostate cancer

Several factors increase the risk of prostate cancer:

  • Age is a significant factor, with most cases diagnosed in men over 65.
  • Black men and men of African ancestry are more likely to develop and die from prostate cancer than men of other races.
  • A family history of prostate cancer, known as familial prostate cancer, accounts for about 20% of cases.
  • Rare hereditary prostate cancer, caused by inherited genetic mutations, makes up around 5% of cases. Genetic changes in genes such as HPC1, HPC2, and HOXB13 also elevate risk. Additional risk factors include exposure to Agent Orange, obesity, and unhealthy eating habits.

    • Prostate cancer can cause complications, including metastasis, where cancer spreads to nearby organs or bones, leading to pain and fractures. Incontinence and erectile dysfunction may also result from the disease or its treatments, such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy.

Preventive Measures

Prevention focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Adopt a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as these foods provide essential vitamins and nutrients that may help prevent prostate cancer. Prioritize nutrient-rich foods over supplements to maintain balanced vitamin and mineral levels naturally.

Incorporate regular exercise into your routine most days of the week to support weight management and enhance your overall mood. Strive to maintain a healthy weight through a combination of balanced eating and physical activity

If you are at higher risk for prostate cancer, consult a doctor to explore preventive measures, including medications or other treatments that may help reduce your risk.

Kidney Cancer

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located in abdomen, on either side of spine. Their main job is to filter waste and extra fluids from blood, which are then removed from the body as urine.

What Is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer happens when cells in the kidney start to grow in an unusual and uncontrolled way. Most kidney cancers begin in the tiny tubes (called tubules) inside the kidney. These abnormal cells can grow into a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer starts when normal kidney cells change and begin to multiply too quickly. Over time, these cells may grow into nearby areas or spread to other parts of the body.

Kidney cancer is about twice as common in men than in women.

Sign and Symptoms

In the early stages, kidney cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms. But as the cancer grows, some signs and symptoms may start to appear, such as:

  • Blood in the urine
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain in the side or back
  • Feeling very tired
  • Unexplained weight loss

Risk factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the biggest risk factor for kidney cancer. Other factors that can increase the chance of getting kidney cancer include:

  • Obesity: Being overweight raises the risk. The more weight a person carries, the higher the chance.
  • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of kidney cancer.
  • Family History: If someone in family has had kidney cancer, the risk may be higher too.
  • Radiation Therapy: Women treated with radiation for cancers in their reproductive organs might have a slightly higher risk.
  • Gene Changes (Mutations): Changes in certain genes can make kidney cancer more likely.
  • Long-Term Dialysis Treatment: Dialysis helps clean the blood when kidneys don’t work well. People on dialysis for a long time have a higher risk.

Preventive measures

There is no sure way to prevent kidney cancer, but the risk can be reduced by adopting the following healthy practices:

  • Limit Alcohol Consumption
  • Avoid Smoking
  • Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake: A diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and nutrients.
  • Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
  • Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: For weight loss, consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to identify safe and effective methods, including dietary changes and increased physical activity.
  • Manage High Blood Pressure: Regular monitoring of blood pressure is important. High blood pressure may be controlled through lifestyle modifications.
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