Online Medical Clinic

Uterine Cancer

July 21, 2007 on 7:11 am | In Cancer |

Uterine Cancer also called is  endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb). strogen helps stimulate the buildup of the epithelial lining of the uterus. Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause.  Most cases of endometrial cancer occur between the ages of 60 and 70 years, but a few cases may occur before age 40. Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in American women. Endometrial cancer is more common in white women when compared to black women.  These form much less common cancers called sarcomas and account for less than 5 percent of uterine cancers.

Endometrial cancer is most common after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer, but there are other cells in the uterus that can become cancerous — such as muscle or myometrial cells. Endometrial adenocarcinoma is histologically characterized by cribriform glands (or glandular crowding) with little, if any, stromal tissue between the glands. Most women recognize the need for prompt evaluation, although only 10-20% of women with PMP vaginal bleeding have a gynecologic malignancy.

Uterine sarcomas can present in a similar fashion to endometrial carcinomas. LMS may present in women early in the sixth decade of life with irregular menses or PMP bleeding. For uterine sarcoma, therapy with high-dose x-rays (external beam radiation therapy) to the pelvis can be one risk factor for sarcoma of the uterus. Obesity is linked to a 10 times greater risk of getting uterine cancer. Older Age (after menopause) is a factor for developing uterine cancer. Childless women are more likely to get uterine (and breast) cancer, since they have more “unopposed estrogen stimulation of the uterus. Birth Control Pills containing only estrogen stimulate the uterine lining and thus increase the risk of cancer. Heredity– Women who’s mothers or maternal aunts have uterine or breast cancer are at increased risk. Hyperplasia (thickening) of the uterine lining, especially when the cells look abnormal, can raise the chance of getting uterine cancer to 20%. Radiation Exposure is a rare, but possible cause of uterine cancers, especially those arising from the muscular wall of the uterus. 

Endometrial cancer may originate in a small area (eg, within an endometrial polyp) or in a diffuse multifocal pattern. Early tumor growth is characterized by an exophytic and spreading pattern. Treatment options involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Exploratory surgery with staging is the treatment of choice in stage I and early stage II disease. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream to tumor cells throughout the body.  Hormone therapy is used to slow the growth of uterine cancer cells. Hormone therapy for uterine cancer involves the sex hormone, progesterone, given in a pill form. It may be used for women who cannot have surgery or radiation therapy. Brachytherapy is another form of radiation that involves the internal application of radiation, usually to the inner lining of the uterus. Brachytherapy has significantly fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy does.

Treatments for Uterine Cancer Tips

1. Surgery.

2. Radiation therapy.

3. Hysterectomy may be performed in women with the early stage 1 disease.

4. Abdominal hysterectomy is recommended over vaginal hysterectomy.

5. Brachytherapy is another form of radiation that involves the internal application of radiation, usually to the inner lining of the uterus.

6. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.