Endometrial cancer starts in the cells of the uterine lining. This lining builds up then sheds each month in women who aren't pregnant during their periods. This type is the most common form of uterine cancer.
Also, endometrial cancer is more common after menopause, and mostly it can be treated and cured. Diagnosis varies a lot depending on things like hormone stages and how they affect the tumor.
In this article, we'll go over symptoms of endometrial cancer, its causes, stages, how it's diagnosed, and treatment options.
Symptoms of endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer comes with clear symptoms. The most notable is unusual vaginal bleeding, either between periods or more than a year after menopause.
If a woman has unusual discharge or abnormal bleeding not related to her period, it's important to see a healthcare provider for a proper check. This can help catch cancer early.
Other symptoms of uterine lining cancer can include:
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Pain during sex.
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Unusual watery or bloody discharge.
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Pain in the pelvic area.
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Weight loss.
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Feeling a lump in the pelvic area.
Causes of uterine lining cancer
There are several different types of endometrial cancer, including the following:
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Adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type.
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Squamous cell carcinoma.
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Carcinosarcoma.
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Small cell carcinoma.
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Undifferentiated carcinoma.
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Clear-cell carcinoma.
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Transitional carcinoma.
There are many risk factors and causes that can lead to uterine cancer, andThese causes include the following:-
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Going past menopause.
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Starting periods before age 12.
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Never having been pregnant.
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Changes in hormone balance.
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Having high levels of Estrogen hormone.
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Using hormone replacement therapy with estrogen.
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Personal or family history ofBreast cancer Or ovarian cancer.
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Hereditary cancer syndromes, like Lynch syndrome.
Endometrial cancer happens when normal cells change and start growing abnormally. As these cells build up, a tumor forms. These abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body.
Endometrial cancer diagnosis
The earlier endometrial cancer is found, the better the outcome. Usually, it’s caught early because of abnormal bleeding, which is the main symptom.
A healthcare provider may spot problems in the uterus and cervix during a pelvic exam, an ultrasound of the pelvis or vagina. A woman might also get a hysteroscopy, where a thin lighted tube is put into the uterus so the doctor can see inside.
Also, there are two procedures that can confirm endometrial cancer with certainty, andthey are:
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Endometrial biopsy, The doctor removes some cells from the uterine lining to check under a microscope for any cell changes or abnormal growth.
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A surgical procedure called Dilation and Curettage (D&C)Usually, this needs general anesthesia, where the cervix is widened and endometrial cells are taken for microscopic examination.
If endometrial cancer is diagnosed, your healthcare provider may ask for more tests to see if the cancer has spread beyond the uterus, andThese tests can include:
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CT scan.
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Chest X-ray.
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PET scan.
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Blood tests.
Stages of endometrial cancer
After the tests, the results will show the stage of the woman's cancer. These stages include the following:-
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Stage Zero:- This stage is also called carcinoma in situ. Cancer cells are on the surface layer of the uterus lining and haven't grown into other cell layers.
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Stage One:- This stage means the cancer is only in the uterus.
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Stage Two:- This stage means the cancer is in the uterus and the cervix area.
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Stage ThreeThis stage means the cancer has spread outside the uterus. It may have reached lymph nodes in the pelvis, fallopian tubes, and ovarian ligaments, but it hasn't spread beyond the pelvic area.
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Stage FourThis stage means the cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area to the bladder, rectum, or other parts of the body.
Endometrial cancer treatment
If a woman is diagnosed with endometrial cancer, the healthcare provider and the woman need to discuss the best treatment options based on the cancer stage, symptoms, and any other health problems.
Treatment options for endometrial cancer can include:
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Surgery
The healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the uterus. If the cancer has spread, the woman may also need surgery to remove other organs like the fallopian tubes, ovaries, part of the vagina, or lymph nodes.
Before or after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy might be needed to stop the cancer from spreading.
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Radiation Therapy
This treatment involves exposing cancer cells to high-energy radiation. Radiation can be delivered externally by a machine directing rays to the cancer tissue, or internally via needles or catheters placed directly into the cancer tissue.
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Chemotherapy
This treatment uses drugs that kill cancer cells. It can be taken by mouth or through a vein. Sometimes chemotherapy is placed directly into the body cavity to target the tumor more directly.
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Hormone Therapy
If the cancer responds to hormone stimulation, there are drugs that can help stop it from growing more. These may include drugs that increase progesterone or others that reduce estrogen levels in the body.
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Immunotherapy
The immune system might not attack cancer because cancer cells make proteins that blind immune cells. Immunotherapy can work by interfering with this. It’s considered if cancer is advanced and other treatments didn’t help.
How to prevent endometrial cancer
You can’t completely prevent endometrial cancer, but you can lower the risk by Reducing risk factors, including:-
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Staying active and exercising.
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Maintaining a healthy weight.
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Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
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Make sure to treat any problems with the uterine lining, like irregular bleeding.
Uterine lining cancer usually takes years to develop and often happens after problems appear. So if you have abnormal bleeding, see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.
Also, taking birth control pills for at least a year might lower the risk of uterine lining cancer. Using non-hormonal IUDs might also reduce risks. But always talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits before using any birth control method.
