What are gynecological cancers?

At Institut Curie, we take care of all cancer pathologies affecting the female genital tract: 

• endometrial cancer
• cervical cancer
• ovarian cancer
• cancers of the fallopian tubes, vulva, and vagina. 

These cancers mainly affect women after the age of 50 or even 60.

Endometrial cancers (more than 8,000 new cases per year1), cervical cancer (more than 3,000 cases each year), and ovarian cancer (more than 5,000 cases each year) are the primary types of gynecological cancers, comprising a total of more than 17,000 new cancer cases each year*.

Certain risk factors are common to endometrial and ovarian cancers, such as age, obesity or genetic predisposition. Lynch syndrome, for example, is a hereditary condition that increases the risk of developing colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. The mutation of the BRCA genes is also known as a predisposing factor for breast and ovarian cancers. In certain cases, you may be offered a consultation with geneticists.

Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is overwhelmingly linked to a genital infection by human papillomaviruses (HPV). This frequency justifies the indication of vaccination in young girls and boys and the establishment of an organized national screening.

Cancers of the vulva (less than 900 cases per year) and the vagina (less than 200) are rare. They represent less than 5% of female cancers and occur mainly in postmenopausal women, after 70 years of age. They are usually preceded by a precancerous phase, following a pre-existing skin disease called lichen sclerosus or an infection with a human papillomavirus (HPV). 
 

The Institute of Women’s Cancers

Expert in the management of gynecological cancers, Institut Curie offers patients with ovarian cancer optimal and innovative care that is personally adapted to each individual case.

Institut Curie is co-founder of the Institute of Women’s Cancers, which was certified as a University-Hospital Institute in 2023. This project combines the scientific and medical requirements of Institut Curie, PSL University and Inserm for holistic management of patients affected by breast and gynecological cancers in order to better prevent them, cure them, limit their relapses, and mitigate their consequences in terms of quality of life. Since we are a national referral center, doctors, caregivers, researchers, and patient associations combine their expertise to accelerate breakthrough innovations in breast and gynecological cancer for the benefit of women affected by the disease.

More information about the Institute of Women’s Cancers

Launch of the Institute of Women’s Cancers, the IHU of Institut Curie, PSL University and Inserm

*Source : Institut National du Cancer