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Uterine cancer affects the uterus and can start in the lining or muscles of the uterus. Symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen. Risk factors include age, obesity, and hormone replacement therapy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Early detection is key to successful treatment.
Cancer of the uterus, or cancer of the uterus, is also known as uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. This type of cancer affects the uterus or uterus and can start in the lining or endometrium and sometimes in the myometrium or muscles of the uterus. Cancer that affects the myometrium is a different type of cancer called uterine sarcoma. Although uterine cancer affects many women each year around the world, it is considered a treatable form of cancer with a fairly high success rate when diagnosed in its early stages.
Signs and symptoms of uterine cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding, which occurs between menstrual periods or after menopause, as well as unusual vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen, and occasionally pain or discomfort during intercourse. Of course, these symptoms could be the cause of other uterine conditions as well, but they should be discussed with your doctor or ob-gyn, regardless of severity or onset.
The most common type of uterine cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus. Cancer is the formation of cell masses, or tumors, that are diseased and may or may not spread. Similarly, when non-cancerous or benign cell masses or tumors form in the endometrium, this condition is known as endometriosis, a condition more common in women of various ages. Cancer of the uterus, however, most commonly affects women over the age of 50.
Although the true cause of uterine cancer is unknown, certain factors are known to increase the risk of this type of cancer. Factors that can increase a woman’s chance of developing uterine cancer include age, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), obesity, and certain medications, such as tamoxifen, a drug used to prevent and treat breast cancer . Race is considered another possible risk factor, as Caucasian women are more likely to get uterine cancer than African American women. Family history is another possible risk factor.
Women typically don’t get specifically screened for cancer of the uterus unless they are at an increased risk of developing the disease. However, diagnosis is achieved through pelvic examination, Pap smear, and biopsy. It is important to remember that this type of cancer is considered to have a high success rate for treatment and that the rate increases with early detection. Although an ob-gyn is often the diagnostic physician, patients are typically referred to an oncologist for treatment.
Treatment options are varied, but typically include a combination of surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Most women with uterine cancer undergo surgery and have a hysterectomy or removal of the uterus. Surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed for biopsy to determine if the cancer has spread. Radiation may be combined with surgery to shrink a tumor before surgery or to destroy any remaining cancer cells. If a woman can’t have surgery, she might get radiation herself and start taking progesterone to help protect the uterus and prevent further growth. It is important to discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor and get a second opinion if necessary. Remember, as with all forms of cancer, early detection is key to the most successful treatment options.
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