What Is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer is a malignancy that starts in the uterus – the hollow, pear-shaped organ where the baby grows during pregnancy.
Uterine Cancer: Quick Facts
#1 Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, is the most common among the gynecologic cancers.
#2 This malignancy starts in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, and can spread out if it is undetected and untreated.
#3 Unusual vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer.
#4 The key treatment for uterine cancer is surgery.
#5 Primary risk factors include: Use of tamoxifen, estrogen hormonal therapy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, and diabetes.
What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most notable and common symptom of uterine cancer. This includes:
Postmenopausal bleeding – Any vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause.
Unusually heavy periods – Extended periods, frequently occurring periods, or periods characterised by a high discharge volume.
Inter-period spotting – Unexpected spotting or bleeding between two normal menstrual cycles.
Apart from the different types of vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain and clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women are also potent warning signs to watch out for.
What Causes Uterine Cancer and Who Is At Risk?
Uterine cancer occurs when cells in the uterus, or womb, begin to grow uncontrollably. There are several factors responsible for causing uterine cancer, which include age, obesity, hormonal imbalance, heredity, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and a history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Segments of women who have the following health and medical conditions are at higher risk of uterine cancer:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome
- Long-term use of tamoxifen
- Individuals where a close family member is diagnosed with the malignancy
What Are the Stages of Uterine Cancer?
The FIGO System (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) classifies the progression of uterine cancer into four distinct stages as described below:
Stage I: Cancer that is confined to the uterus.
Stage II: Cancer that has spread to the cervix.
Stage III: Cancer that has spread to the vagina, ovaries, and/or lymph nodes.
Stage IV: Cancer that has spread to the urinary bladder, rectum, or organs located far from the uterus, such as the lungs or bones.
Apart from these four main stages, there are also sub stages that indicate the spread of the disease and damage afflicted on specific organs.
How Is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis
Uterine cancer is detected and diagnosed using the following tests:
Pelvic Examination: This is a basic clinical process – a visual inspection – where the doctor checks the vulva and further examines the vagina and cervix using a speculum. However, a pelvic exam alone is not sufficient for conclusively diagnosing uterine cancer.
Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS): It’s a relatively quick, painless imaging procedure that enables the healthcare team to view and check a woman’s pelvic organs in superior detail, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix.
Endometrial Biopsy – An endometrial biopsy is a quick in-clinic test where the doctor collects a small sample of tissue from the uterine lining, which is then examined by a pathologist for cancerous cells.
Hysteroscopy – It is a test that allows the doctor to see inside the patient’s uterus. The procedure entails passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end (hysteroscope) into the uterus through the vagina. If suspicious spots are found, a biopsy is taken and the tissue is then microscopically examined in the lab.
Treatment
The following procedures, both invasive and non-invasive, are used to treat uterine cancer:
Surgery: Called total hysterectomy, this surgery involves removing the uterus and cervix. It is usually followed by removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, called a salpingo-oophorectomy. It can be performed in several ways viz vaginal hysterectomy, vaginal laparoscopic hysterectomy, abdominal laparoscopic hysterectomy, and abdominal hysterectomy.
Radiation Therapy: In this procedure, high-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells. This treatment can be of two types – internal radiation (vaginal brachytherapy) and external radiation (external beam radiation therapy).
Since radiation therapy can shrink a tumour and make it easier to remove, it is sometimes recommended before surgery.
Chemotherapy: Here, strong medicines, usually administered through an IV, kill cancer cells. In some cases oral pills are also recommended.
Hormone Therapy: This involves giving the patient medications that slow cancer growth; this is usually advised for early-stage patients.
Immunotherapy: Here, certain speciality drugs help the immune system recognise, attack, and destroy specific cancer cells.
FAQs
Is uterine cancer the same as womb cancer?
Yes, they both denote the same thing.
What is the first sign of uterine cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the first sign of uterine cancer.
Can younger women develop uterine cancer?
Yes, they can, though it is uncommon in people under 50.
How is uterine cancer diagnosed?
It is detected by performing an endometrial biopsy, backed by scans and an in-clinic visual examination.
Is uterine cancer curable?
When diagnosed and treated in its early stages, uterine cancer is indeed curable.
What treatments are available for uterine cancer?
Surgery (hysterectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy are the treatments available for uterine cancer.
