Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer which arises from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus or womb). Another type of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma which is less seen than endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer is the result of the abnormal growth of cells and it can spread to other parts of the body. The first sign of endometrial cancer often is abnormal vaginal bleeding (not associated with the period).
Endometrial cancer usually occurs in women after menopause. The average age of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer is 60. It is uncommon in women under the age of 45.
Endometrial cancer is the third most common cause of women death in cancer, just behind ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. In developed country, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract. It is more common in white women, even if black women are more likely to die from it.
The exact cause of endometrial cancer is still unknown currently, but there are some risk factors that may be related to endometrial cancer, including:
Some symptoms of endometrial cancer include:
If you have any signs of endometrial cancer, you should go to see your doctor. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and will give you a pelvic exam. To confirm a diagnosis, other exams or tests may also be required, such as:
If your doctor suspects the cancer has spread, you may need more tests, including:
The grade of endometrial cancer depends on the degree of similarity between the glands formed by cancer and the glands in normal, healthy endometrium.
In lower-grade cancers (Grades 1 and 2), there is more of the cancerous tissue forms glands.
In higher-grade cancers (Grade 3), there is more of the cancer cells are arranged in a haphazard or disorganized way and don’t form glands.
Grade 3 cancers usually are more aggressive and have a poorer outlook than lower-grade cancers. Both Grade 1 and Grade 2 are type 1 endometrial cancers. Type 1 cancers usually are not very aggressive and do not spread quickly.
Type 2 endometrial cancers are much less than type 1. However, type 2 cancers are more likely to grow and spread outside the uterus. Generally, the outlook of type 2 cancer is poorer than type 1. Type 2 cancers include all endometrial cancers except type 1, such as papillary serous carcinoma, clearcell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, and grade 3 endometrioid carcinoma.
Your treatment for endometrial cancer usually depends on your health condition, the type and stage of your cancer. There are four choices of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Surgery
Surgery usually is the main treatment for most women with endometrial cancer, including:
Other options may be used to the cancer that has spread:
Radiation Therapy
This therapy uses high-energy radiation (such as x-rays) to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
This therapy gives cancer-fighting drugs into a vein or take them orally so that the drugs can enter the blood and run in the whole body. Chemotherapy can treat for cancer that has spread beyond the endometrium. Sometimes chemotherapy can be combined with radiation therapy, which can work much better than only use one treatment.
Drugs can be used in chemotherapy may include:
Hormone Therapy
This therapy can treat for cancer that has spread beyond the uterus. Hormone therapy uses hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to stop cancer cells from growing. Drugs can be used in hormone therapy may include:
Some tips can lower your risk of getting endometrial cancer.
Please consult your doctors for your specific treatment.
Keywords: endometrial cancer; uterine cancer.
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