Gynaecological Oncology

• Benign (non-cancerous): uterine fibroids, endometriosis (including chocolate cysts), adenomyosis.
• Malignant (cancerous): cervical, ovarian and endometrial (uterine body) cancers, as well as rarer conditions such as vaginal, vulval and fallopian tube cancers.

Not all gynaecological tumours become cancerous. However, any suspicious symptoms should be checked by a doctor.

You may wish to consult a gynaecological oncologist if you experience any of the following:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (bleeding after menopause, after intercourse, or very irregular periods)
• Persistent lower abdominal pain or bloating, especially if you feel a lump
• Pressure symptoms such as frequent urination, constipation or back pain
• Abnormal vaginal discharge, particularly if blood‑stained or malodorous
• Abnormal findings on Pap smear or other screening tests

• Initial assessment: If a uterine or ovarian tumour is suspected, it is recommended to first see a gynaecologist for a pelvic ultrasound and other basic checks.
• Referral to a specialist: If a malignant tumour is confirmed, you may be referred to a gynaecological oncologist or clinical oncologist to plan treatment – which may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.

Reference:

1. Hospital Authority Cancer Registry. (2023). Corpus uteri cancer factsheet 2023. Hong Kong Hospital Authority. https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/pdf/factsheet/2023/corpus_2023.pdf
2. Hospital Authority Cancer Registry. (2023). Cervix uteri cancer factsheet 2023; Ovary and peritoneum cancer factsheet 2023. Hong Kong Hospital Authority. https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/pdf/factsheet/2023/cx_2023.pdf and https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/pdf/factsheet/2023/ovary_2023.pdf