What is Uterine Cancer? What are the symptoms of uterine cancer?

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins with the growth of cells in the uterus. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ where fetal development occurs. Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the inner surface of the uterus, called the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer. Other types of cancer, including uterine sarcoma, can also form in the uterus, but they are much less common than endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is often found in the early stages because it causes symptoms. Often the first symptom is irregular vaginal bleeding. If endometrial cancer is detected early, surgical removal of the uterus often cures it.

What is Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, is the most common cancer occurring in the female reproductive system. uterine cancerIt begins when healthy cells in the uterus change and get out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor can grow but does not usually spread to other parts of the body. There are 2 main types of uterine cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma: This type accounts for the majority of uterine cancers. It develops from cells in the endometrium and uterine lining. This cancer is generally called endometrial cancer. A common subtype of endometrial adenocarcinoma is called endometrioid carcinoma. Treatment for this type of cancer varies depending on the extent of the tumor, how far it has advanced into the uterus, and the stage or extent of the disease.
• Sarcoma: This type of uterine cancer develops in the supporting tissues of the uterine glands or the myometrium, the muscle of the uterus. Sarcoma accounts for approximately 2% to 4% of uterine cancers.

What Causes Uterine Cancer?

by researchers causes of uterine cancer is not fully known. Something happens that creates changes in the cells in the uterus. Mutated cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, which can form a mass called a tumor.

Some risk factors may increase the chance of developing uterine cancer. Some factors that may increase the risk of uterine cancer include:

• Being postmenopausal or entering menopause (after age 55)
• A thickened wall lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• never having children
• Early onset of menstruation (before age 12)
• Having high blood pressure or diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Family history of ovarian, uterine or bowel cancer
• Having a genetic condition such as Cowden syndrome or Lynch syndrome
• Previous ovarian tumors or polycystic ovary syndrome
• Using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy or fertility treatment
• Past radiation therapy to the pelvis
• Using tamoxifen to treat breast cancer

What are the symptoms of uterine cancer?

Symptoms of uterine cancer can resemble symptoms of many conditions. This is especially true for other conditions that affect the reproductive organs. If unusual pain or irregular vaginal bleeding is noticed, contact your healthcare provider. Correct diagnosis is important in order to receive the correct treatment.

Uterine cancer symptoms are:

• Vaginal bleeding between pre-menopausal periods
• Slight vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
• Lower abdominal pain or cramping in the pelvis just below the abdomen
• Thin white or clear vaginal discharge during postmenopause
• Extremely prolonged, heavy or frequent vaginal bleeding over age 40

How Is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed?

Uterine cancer diagnosis The healthcare provider may ask about symptoms, risk factors, and family history. Afterwards, diagnosis continues with physical and pelvic examination. The doctor can check for swelling of the abdomen during this examination. To check the uterus, the doctor will insert two fingers into the vagina while pressing on the abdomen, or may use an instrument (speculum) that pries the walls of the vagina. The healthcare provider may perform the following tests to confirm a diagnosis of uterine cancer:

• Blood test: The CA-125 test measures a protein CA-125. A certain amount of CA-125 may indicate cancer in your body.
• A CT scan takes a series of detailed photographs of the inside of the body.
• MRI scans: Use radio waves and a powerful magnet to create images.
• Transvaginal ultrasound: Inserts a special probe (smooth, round device) into the vagina to take pictures of the uterus.
• Endometrial biopsy: Places a thin, flexible tube through the cervix (the opening of the womb) and into the uterus. The healthcare provider removes a small amount of endometrium.
• Hysteroscopy inserts a hysteroscope, a long thin tube, through the vagina and cervix to reach the uterus. This narrow instrument with light and camera provides detailed images of the uterus.
• Dilatation and curettage (D&C): A more complex procedure for removing uterine tissue. It takes place in the operating room.

What are the Stages of Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer stages Knowing the condition and its degree helps doctors recommend the best treatment for the condition in question. Tests used to determine the stage of cancer may include a chest X-ray, CT scan, blood tests, and positron emission tomography, also called a PET scan. The stage of cancer may not be known until surgery.

Staging is a way to describe the size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The four stages of endometrial cancers can be divided into substages such as A, B, and C, which indicate increasing amount of tumor.

• Stage 1 (early or localized): Cancer is found only in the uterus.
• Stage 2 (regionalized): Cancer has spread from the uterus to the cervix.
• Stage 3 (regionalized): Cancer has spread beyond the uterus/cervix to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, or lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen.
• Stage 4 (metastatic or advanced): The cancer has spread further to the bladder, intestines, or rectum, throughout the abdomen, to other parts of the body such as the bones or lungs, or to the lymph nodes in the groin.

The rating describes how cancer cells look compared to normal cells and predicts how fast the cancer may grow.

• Grade 1 (low grade): Cancer cells appear slightly abnormal and grow slowly.
• Grade 2 (moderate): Cancer cells appear moderately abnormal and grow at a moderate rate.
• Grade 3 (high grade): Cancer cells appear more abnormal and tend to grow faster than lower-grade cancers.

Uterine Cancer Treatment

The treatment plan for uterine cancer depends on the type of cancer and your overall health. uterine cancer treatment The methods used for are as follows:

• Surgery (hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy): The most common treatment for uterine cancer is surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Because the ovaries produce estrogen, a hormone that can cause cancer to grow, ovaries are often removed to reduce the risk of cancer returning. Surgery can be done using an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy) or keyhole surgery (laparoscopic surgery).
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used to treat certain types of uterine cancer or when the cancer has returned after surgery or radiotherapy or if the cancer does not respond to hormone therapy. It can be used to control cancer and relieve symptoms.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy, the use of x-rays to kill or injure cancer cells, is commonly used as an additional treatment to reduce the chance of cancer coming back. If you are not well enough for surgery, it may be recommended as the main treatment.
• Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy is usually given if the cancer has spread or the cancer has returned (recurred). It is sometimes used when surgery is not an option.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of drug therapy that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
• Targeted therapy: A drug treatment that attacks specific characteristics of cancer cells to stop the cancer from growing and spreading.