What Is Uterine and Endometrial Cancer?
Uterine Cancer is the malignant growth of cancerous tissue in the uterine body of the female reproductive system.
If a diagnosis reveals that you may have endometrial cancer, you will likely be referred to a trained Gynecologic Oncologist to undergo and complete the treatment process as soon as possible.
Endometrial Cancer vs. Myometrial Cancer
Uterine Cancers are classified based on the location in which the cancer grows and develops.
Endometrial Cancer specifically describes that the malignant cells are located in the endometrial tissue, and is the most common form of Uterine Cancer.
Myometrial Cancer on the other hand is a cancer which develops in the smooth muscle cells on the inner layers of the uterus. Cancers in this region of the uterus are also known as Uterine Sarcomas.
Cervical Cancer is the growth of malignant cells on or within the Uterine Cervix, usually as the result of an HPV infection. You can learn more about Cervical Cancer in our dedicated article here.
Uterus and endometrium
The uterus (or womb) has the function of allowing the embryonic-fetal growth during pregnancy, and is formed by three layers:
- The internal layer is called the endometrium and is what sheds with every menstrual cycle in the form of bleeding during a woman’s fertile years.
- The middle layer is called the myometrium and is composed of actual uterine muscle, is the thickest layer, and is what gives the organ its shape.
- Lastly, the external layer is a thin one and covers the organ (peritoneum).
Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
The signs of endometrial cancer typically present themselves in early stages of the disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and appropriate diagnostic testing
- Abnormal genital bleeding (the most frequent symptom): This can happen during menopause, or in women of childbearing age between menstrual periods.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge.
- Pelvic pain or a sensation of pressure in the pelvic region.
- Changes in digestive regularity or urination
While these symptoms are common among multiple causes, women who present any of them persistently should visit a gynecologist for further diagnostic testing.
Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis
Almost 80% of women with endometrial cancer are diagnosed in the early stages, and generally, after symptoms appear. When symptoms are present there are a number of supplemental tests that can help give a more accurate diagnosis.
What Procedures Are Used to Diagnose Endometrial Cancer
Gynecologic & Transvaginal Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound is a procedure in which a probe is inserted into the vaginal canal and ultrasonic sound waves are emitted and detected by the probe to visualize the internal structures of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
With a transvaginal ultrasound it is possible to detect myomas, or polyps in the uterine cavity, and determine the thickness of the endometrium (the internal layer of the uterus), and is typically the first diagnostic test to be conducted.
Endometrial biopsy
During an endometrial biopsy, a small sample of endometrial tissue is taken and sent for analysis by the pathology department to detect malignancies in the tissue’s cell composition.
A biopsy can be taken blindly through the introduction of surgical tools past the cervix into the uterus, through uterine curettage, or with the assistance of a hysteroscopy to better visualize the uterine cavity.
Biopsies are typically performed in conjunction with a hysteroscopy, as seeing the inside of the uterine cavity can also help rule out other conditions or help determine the extent of disease.
Computerized tomography (CT scan)
When there is a suspicion of the presence of malignant tissues, or if a biopsy sample has come back positive for precancerous or cancerous cell growth, a Computer Axial Tomography or CAT Scan can help visualize the extent of the disease’s progression to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the pelvic cavity.
CAT Scans are usually performed with oral and intravenous contrast dyes to provide a better view of blood flow in the body, as well as to detect abnormalities and tumors.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Similar to a CAT scan, MRI scans can also be used to provide additional visualization of the spread of disease. MRI scans rely on magnetic resonance to view organs rather than electromagnetic radiation (X-Rays) and are typically preferred for soft tissue scans.
What Factors Put Women At Higher Risk Of Developing Endometrial Cancer?
Despite it being challenging to specifically determine what causes Endometrial Cancer there are some risks factors that could increase a woman’s chances of developing it:
- Age: Over 90% of endometrial tumors develop in women over 40 years of age
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Hormone replacement therapy during menopause (with estrogen without progestin)
- Tamoxifen: a drug used in women with certain types of breast cancer that can produce continuous growth of the endometrium.
- Having a family history of uterine, colon, or ovarian cancer.
Having any of the risk factors mentioned above does not mean that a woman will develop endometrial cancer in the future; but these factors should be discussed with her gynecologist
Endometrial Cancer
Prevention
While the primary causes of endometrial and uterine cancer aren’t certain, there are some things that can be done to help reduce the risk of developing endometrial cancer:
- Oral contraceptives use
- Multiple pregnancies
- Maintaining a healthy and active life with a balanced diet, avoiding obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
It is important to remember that pap smears and colposcopies are not useful for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Pap tests are for the detection of premalignant lesions in the uterine cervix in very early stages. You can read more about Cervical Cancer here.
Treatment Options for Endometrial Cancer
The treatment of endometrial cancer depends on a number of factors:
- The size of the tumor(s)
- The spread of the disease
- The desire for a future pregnancy
- The general health condition of the patient
- The patient’s preferences
Surgery is typically used to remove malignant tissue growth through a laparoscopic procedure. We are committed to offering patients the most effective and least invasive therapeutic interventions available. Surgical treatment often constitutes the first therapeutic strategy for uterine/endometrial cancer that might include one of the following procedures:
Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus including the cervix.
Bilateral adnexectomy: the removal of both ovaries and the fallopian tubes (uterine adnexa)
Sentinel lymph node detection: the injection of a tracer (technetium99) in the tumoral region that helps identify the sentinel lymph node in the inguinal region where the tumor would migrate, during the surgical procedure. This lymph node (although there can be 2 or 3) is identified, removed, and analyzed right then by specialized pathologists. If malignant cells are identified, the removal of all inguinal lymph nodes is carried out.
Aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy: Removal of the lymph nodes surrounding the main arteries and veins of the abdomen and the pelvis.
Omentectomy: Removal of the fatty tissue bound to the large intestine. It is reserved for specific types of Endometrial cancer.
You can learn more about surgical intervention for Endometrial Cancers here.
After any surgical procedure for the treatment of Endometrial Cancer, the pathologists will assess any removed tissue to carefully make a final diagnosis and determine the extension of the disease.
Afterward, the best postoperative therapeutic follow-up plan is made based on a series of factors that include:
- The intra-operative findings
- The final histological results
- The general conditions of each patient
- The preferences of the patient and her relatives
Post-operative care can be as simple as routine observation and follow-up or, in some rare cases, include radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy depending on the extent of the disease’s progression.
Follow-up and recovery from Endometrial Cancer
The oncologic follow-up period starts after the initial cancer treatment. Its main goal is the early detection of a possible recurrence of the disease.
Beyond adopting effective follow-up rules, we also pay special attention and interest to maintaining and increasing the quality of life of our patients and achieving a rapid and effective re-insertion into their daily life as it was before the cancer diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endometrial Cancer
How does endometrial cancer start?
Pelvic pain, a mass, and weight loss
Pelvic pain, feeling a mass (tumor), and unexpected weight loss can also be symptoms of endometrial cancer. These symptoms are usually more common in the later stages of the disease.
How to avoid endometrial cancer?
Can endometrial cancer be prevented?
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. …
- Stay physically active. …
- Talk to Dr Lucas Minig about the pros and cons of hormone therapy. …
- Treatment for endometrial problems. …
- Consult with our Specialist if you suffer from HNPCC.
When to suspect endometrial cancer?
The best way to find endometrial cancer early (when it is small) is to see a doctor if you have any signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge (that is worsening, occurring between periods menstrual
Testimonies of patients with Endometrial Cancer
Doctor Lucas Minig Specialist in Endometrial Cancer in Valencia, Spain
International Consultation
If you want remote medical care, you can consult
through the following links:
International Appointment
Online Consultation
English WhatsApp: +1-647-515-6748
