Cancer is a life-changing disease, often life-threatening too. While cancer awareness is relatively better at this day and age, as more and more people are sharing their journey, and some are also documenting it to help others. There remain rare cancers too, including gynecologic cancers. What Are Some Rare Gynaecologic Cancers?Fallopian tube cancer: It starts in the tubes connecting the ovaries and uterusGestational trophoblastic disease: It forms in the layer of cells that encloses an embryo in pregnant womenPrimary peritoneal cancer: Forms within the tissue that lines a woman's abdominal and reproductive organsUterine sarcoma: Begins in the muscles or soft tissues of the uterusVaginal Cancer: Starts in the vagina and spreads to the external genitalsVulvar Cancer: Affects the outer part of the female genitals Risk Factors That Could Lead To These Rare Cancers:HPV (human papillomavirus)Genital wartsHysterectomyAbnormal cellsCervical or other gynecologic cancerSmokingHIVSymptomsIt can be detected early with regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. The common symptoms to note for so you can see your doctor are:Unusual bleeding or dischargeSores, lumps, or growthsPersistent itching or burningTenderness or pain, especially during sex or urinationChanges in skin colourConstipation or other changes to bowel movements and urinationSwollen abdomenHow Can It Be Diagnosed?A pelvic Examination is one of the ways to diagnose it. This is when the doctor looks at the inside of the vagina and cervix. Pressing ovaries and uterus to check for abnormalities is also part of this examination. During a pap test, the doctor collects cells from the cervix and looks at it under a microscope. In colposcopy, a magnifying device called a colposcope is used to spot suspicious tissue. In a biopsy, a small tissue sample is extracted for analysis under a microscope and a doctor will look for cancer cells. Lastly, MRI or CT scans and ultrasounds can be used as imaging techniques to locate tumours and see if cancer has spread. Types of Gynecologic CancersThe most common form of vaginal and vulvar cancer is caused by squamous cell carcinoma, as it makes up to 85-90% of cases. It starts as a precancerous condition called intraepithelial neoplasia in which abnormal skin cells develop in the lining of the vagina and inside the folds of the vulva. The other type is adenocarcinoma which forms in mucus cells and glands of the vagina and vulva. TreatmentsThe treatments include surgery where robotic surgery is used to ensure that minimally invasive technique is used. The techniques allow for smaller incisions, with less pain and faster recovery. Chemotherapy given by IV through mouth or applied to the skin also kills cancer cells and is sometimes combined with radiation therapy. It can shrink the tumor before surgery, kill cancer cells that are circulating in the body and slow the growth and control any symptoms of advanced cancer.