Uterine cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the uterus, including endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Symptoms include pelvic pain, unusual bleeding, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Metastatic uterine cancer occurs when cancer cells spread throughout the body and can be confirmed through biopsies or ultrasounds. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.
Uterine cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the uterus. If the cancer cells spread throughout the body, the disease is called metastatic uterine cancer. Uterine cancer includes both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.
Most cases of uterine cancer start with the cells lining the inside of the uterus. These cells are known as endometrial cells and the lining itself is called the endometrium. Most of this type of cancer appears in women who have gone through menopause. Sufferers are usually between 50 and 70 years old. Cancer can produce symptoms such as pelvic pain, unusual bleeding, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
A less common form of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma. This cancer affects the muscle cells in the uterus. As with all malignant tumors, these cells multiply abnormally and can be fatal.
The site where a tumor starts is known as the primary tumor. A primary cancer is indicated by the area of the body where it started, hence the name uterine cancer. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign means that the cancer is not life threatening and will not spread. A malignant tumor can be life-threatening and has the potential to spread. Only malignant tumors can metastasize.
Malignant tumors can eliminate cancerous cells from the primary tumor. These cells can then travel throughout the body via the blood and lymphatic systems. The usual role of the lymphatic network is to move cells of the immune system from one place to another.
Cancer cells can end up in different places in the body. Secondary tumors of lymph nodes close to the primary tumor are not considered metastatic cancer. If these new tumors settle in other organs or lymph nodes further away from the uterus, they indicate that the disease is referred to as metastatic uterine cancer.
If metastatic uterine cancer is suspected, a doctor may take a biopsy of certain cells or do an ultrasound. Occasionally, metastatic cancer produces no symptoms. Biopsies taken from the uterus and other areas can confirm the presence of cancer. Tumors can also appear on ultrasound.
Patients with metastatic uterine cancer may need to have surgery to remove the tumors and a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. Radiation treatment or chemotherapy can help kill any remaining cancer cells. Hormone treatment can also help prevent the spread of cancers.
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