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Gynecological cancers encompass all cancers in the female reproductive system. All women are at risk of developing these cancers, which increase with age and can vary depending on the cancer type.

According to the Foundation of Women’s Cancer, ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer type among women worldwide.

Ovarian cancer is composed of three major categories: epithelial ovarian cancer, germ cell cancer, and stromal cell cancer.

Understanding the 3 Categories of Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial Ovarian Cancers

Epithelial ovarian cancers are the most common of ovarian cancers, accounting for 85% to 89%. They rank fourth in cancer deaths among women in the U.S. and cause more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.

Epithelial ovarian cancers form in the surface cells of the ovary, or from the fallopian tube surface cells. They can be a part of a hereditary syndrome such as those with BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene mutations. Fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are also epithelial cancers and have some of the same behaviors, risks and treatment approaches.

Germ Cell Cancers

Germ cell cancers account for nearly 5% of ovarian cancers, making it one of the less common forms of ovarian cancer than epithelial cancer.

Germ cell cancers start in the cells that develop into follicles or eggs in the ovaries. Typically, this cancer appears in adolescents and young women and often affects only one ovary.

Stromal Cell Cancers

Stromal cell cancers are another rare ovarian cancer. They start in the cells that produce female hormones and hold the ovarian tissues together. Similarly, there are several types of stromal cell cancers and presentation and treatment can vary.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

These symptoms include:
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

While these may be common symptoms many women
without cancer may have occasionally, patients with ovarian
cancer report that symptoms are persistent and often
progressive, and represent a change from normal for
their bodies.

What is Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer can be found in any bone of the body and has the potential to spread. Typically, bone cancer develops in the pelvis or the long bones, such as the legs and arms. Although it is less common than other cancer types, it’s good to be proactive and understand the different kinds of bone cancer, who’s at risk and the symptoms associated.

Primary Bone Cancer VS Bone Metastasis

Primary bone cancer can begin in any part of the bone structure including the bone itself, the muscle, tissues and blood vessels.

There are many types of primary bone cancer. Some are rarer than others, the most common types are as follows:

• Chondrosarcoma starts in the early stages of cartilage cells. Chondrosarcoma can develop anywhere there is cartilage. Most often it starts in the pelvic bones, legs or arms. The risk of chondrosarcoma increases with age.
• Ewing sarcoma is a group of tumors that start in the bone or nearby soft tissues. Although these tumors can develop at any age, they are most common in older children and teens.
• Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary cancer. It is found in the early forms of bone cells and often occurs in young people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Bone metastasis differs from primary bone cancer because it spreads into the bone from an advanced cancer such as prostate cancer or breast cancer. This is more common than primary bone cancer. When bone metastasis occurs, the cancer cells will need the same treatment as the advanced cancer the metastasis stems from.

Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Because there are many different types of primary bone cancers, the symptoms can differ depending on the type, location and the extent of the cancer. Common symptoms associated with most types of bone cancer are pain, a lump or swelling, and fractures.

Similar to other cancer types, bone cancer can cause weight loss or fatigue. If the cancer has spread beyond the bone, you might experience symptoms specific to the infected part of the body. For example, if bone cancer spreads to the lungs, you might experience difficulty breathing.

Symptoms are typically associated with other conditions, such as injuries or arthritis. If you notice persistent symptoms related to bone cancer or metastasis, see a doctor to catch tumors early.