Ovarian cancer, the most deadly of the gynecologic malignancies, usually arises on the surface of the ovary.

Symptoms: Changes or discomforts, such as a pressure or fullness in the pelvis, abdominal bleeding, or changes in bowel and bladder patterns, which are constant and progressive. Persistent heartburn, constipation, unexplained weight gain, and severe fatigue are other common symptoms.

Risk factors: The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age, especially around the time of menopause. A family history of ovarian cancer is one of the most important risk factors. Infertility and not bearing children are also risk factors as is late menopause. Pregnancy can decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

*Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. It is estimated there will be more than 25,000 new cases diagnosed and approximately 16,090 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States during 2004.

Most uterine cancers begin in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) after menopause, when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends and the endometrium flattens out. Uterine cancer occurs when cells in the endometrium lining grow out of control and invade the muscle of the uterus.

Symptoms: Warning signs include any bleeding after menopause, or irregular vaginal bleeding before menopause.

Risk factors: Risk factors include obesity, hypertension, diabetes, inappropriate estrogen use, tamoxifen use and late menopause. Women who have not been pregnant also have a slightly higher risk for uterine cancer.

*Cancer of the endometrium is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. It is estimated that 40,320 new cases will be diagnosed and approximately 7,000 deaths will occur from uterine cancer in 2004.

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal cellular changes in the cervix and is the only gynecologic cancer that can be prevented by regular cervical cancer screening.

Symptoms: Bleeding after intercourse, excessive discharge and abnormal bleeding between periods.

Risk factors: Failure to receive regular examinations often eliminates the opportunity for early diagnosis through cervical cancer screening via the Pap smear. Persistent high-risk HPV infection has been shown to be the cause of virtually all cervical cancers, though other risk factors include smoking, HIV infection, and early age of first intercourse.

* An estimated 10,520 cases of invasive cervical cancer are expected to be diagnosed and approximately 3,900 deaths will occur in 2004.

Vulvar cancer appears as lesions on the surface of the vulva or labia.

Symptoms: Itching in the vulvar area.

Risk factors: Risk factors include diabetes, advanced age (age 70 and older) and chronic vulvar irritation. Women with HPV are also at risk.

*When detected early, this is a very curable type of cancer, usually with surgical removal of the vulvar lesions and the groin lymph nodes.

Vaginal cancer is very rare. It is usually diagnosed in elderly women with abnormal bleeding and treated with radiation.