Endometrial Cancer: Fast Facts
Reviewed By:
Martin E. Liebling, M.D., FACP
- Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in American
women and the most common female reproductive cancer, according to
the American Cancer Society (ACS).
- Endometrial cancer is often detected early and treated
successfully.
- Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when the
cells of the inner lining of the uterus grow out of control.
- Scientists are not certain why endometrial cancer cells
develop. However, many experts believe that high levels of the
female hormone estrogen play an important role in the development
of this disease.
- Risk factors for endometrial cancer may include advanced age,
total length of menstrual span (number of years between onset of
menstruation and menopause), obesity, a history of breast cancer or
ovarian cancer and having never become pregnant.
- Some cases of endometrial cancer may become advanced before
recognizable signs and symptoms occur.
- Approximately 90 percent of women diagnosed with endometrial
cancer experience postmenopausal or unusual vaginal spotting or
bleeding, according to the ACS.
- In the later stages of endometrial cancer, symptoms may include
pelvic pain, unexplained weight loss or a pelvic mass, a growth
that can be either cancerous or noncancerous, such as a cyst of
almost any size.
- While pelvic exams are successful in finding some cancers of
the female reproductive system, they are not very effective in
detecting early endometrial cancers.
- If cancer is suspected, a patient may be referred to a
gynecologic oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in
treating cancers of the female reproductive system, including
endometrial cancer.
- The most common procedure used to identify endometrial cancer
is a biopsy of endometrial tissue. If an endometrial biopsy is
inconclusive or does not provide a sufficient amount of tissue, a
dilation and curettage must be performed.
- Women with lower grade cancers have a lower likelihood of
advanced cancer or recurrences.
- A doctor may use a device to examine the bladder (cystoscopy)
or rectum (proctoscopy) to see if the cancer has spread
there.
- Complete abdominal hysterectomy is the primary surgical
treatment for endometrial cancer.
- A lymph node sampling procedure is often performed during a
complete abdominal hysterectomy.
- Chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with radiation
therapy.
- Most women with endometrial cancer also have their ovaries
removed or rendered inactive by radiation. These procedures may
slow the growth of endometrial cancer.
- The use of oral contraceptives, such as birth control pills,
can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer in some women.
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