Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus and is most common in women aged 60-70. Risk factors include excess estrogen, obesity, and a history of polyps. Symptoms include abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain. Treatment involves surgery and possibly radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy. Maintaining a healthy weight and using oral contraceptives can reduce the risk.
Endometrial cancer is cancer that develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This type of cancer occurs most often in women between the ages of 60 and 70, but can affect younger women. It is the most common form of uterine cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 7,780 women died of endometrial cancer in 2009 in the United States.
Researchers aren’t aware of the exact cause of endometrial cancer, but excess estrogen could play a role. A woman has a higher risk of developing this type of cancer if she is over 50, has had hormone replacement therapy, has never been pregnant, or has a history of polyps in the endometrium. Other risk factors include obesity, infertility and diabetes. Women who started menstruating before age 12 or who began menopause after age 50 are also at increased risk. Caucasian women are more likely to develop this type of cancer than women of African descent.
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include abnormal menstrual periods, other bleeding between periods, and uterine cramping or pain in the lower abdomen. For women who have gone through menopause, clear or white vaginal discharge could be a symptom. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and pain when urinating.
Typically, endometrial cancer is first detected during a pelvic exam. A doctor might then recommend a transvaginal ultrasound to look for abnormalities and rule out other conditions. If the ultrasound identifies abnormal tissue, your doctor might do an endometrial biopsy to remove and analyze the tissue. A doctor might perform dilation and curettage if they need to remove additional tissue. More tests are needed to determine the stage of the cancer if a woman is diagnosed.
The most common treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery to remove affected tissue and organs. A doctor might recommend a hysterectomy to remove the uterus and possibly surrounding areas, such as the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Lymph nodes might also be removed. If the cancer has metastasized or spread, your doctor might recommend radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy.
The prognosis for women with endometrial cancer varies depending on the severity. It is usually diagnosed at an early stage and the survival rate is high if the cancer does not spread to other parts of the body. For women whose cancer metastasizes, the survival rate is much lower.
Women can increase their chances of not developing endometrial cancer by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly. The use of oral contraceptives also reduces a woman’s risk. This benefit of oral contraceptives lasts for up to 10 years after a woman stops taking them.
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