Endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus)

Pelvis | Oncology | Endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus) (Disease)


Description

Endometrial cancer may sometimes be referred to as uterine cancer. However, different cancers may develop not only from the endometrium itself but also from other tissues of the uterus, including cervical cancer, sarcoma of the myometrium, and trophoblastic disease.

Signs and symptoms of the endometrial cancer:

(1) Vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women.

(2) Abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods.

(3) Bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women in women older than 40: extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding (may indicate premalignant changes).

(4) Anemia, caused by chronic loss of blood. (This may occur if the woman has ignored symptoms of prolonged or frequent abnormal menstrual bleeding. )

(5) Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping.

(6) Thin white or clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women.

Causes and Risk factors

As for most of the cancers there is not a clear cause of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer occurs most often in women between the ages of 55 and 70 years. It accounts for about 6% of cancer in women. Women at elevated risk for endometrial cancer include those who are obese, who have few or no children, who began menstruating at a young age, who had a late menopause, and women of high socioeconomic status. It is thought that most of these risk factors are related to hormones, especially excess estrogen.

Diagnosis and Treatment

An endometrial aspiration, endometrial biopsy, and/or dilation and curettage is performed to identify the cancer cells. CT scan or MRI may be done to determine the extent of disease.

Treatment for uterine cancer may include hysterectomy, or surgery to remove the uterus; salpingo-oophorectomy, or surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries; radiation therapy; hormone therapy; and chemotherapy. ...