Endometrial Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer related to gynaecology. The endometrium is a part of the uterus of the female body. Malignancy of the endometrium or the lining of it causes this type of cancer. This illness is normally found in women who have entered their menopause, usually within a decade of having done so. It commonly occurs on endometrial hyperplasia and shows symptoms of vaginal bleeding. The most common way of treating it is to conduct a hysterectomy, which is the complete removal of the uterus. This also helps in stemming the spread of the malignancy. The doctors in Jehangir Hospital, Pune are well equipped to do the needful.
The symptoms and signs of endometrial cancer are the following:
• Bleeding occurs in the vagina after menopause.
• Bleeding might occur between periods.
• The patient might suffer from pelvic pain.
• An abnormal discharge might take place from the vagina which might be watery or might have a tinge of blood.
• The patient might feel pain while having intercourse.
The patient must consult or visit a doctor when they undergo any of the above mentioned symptoms. The faster the cancer is detected the better the chances for survival of the patient.
Causes
• Hormonal changes in the female body - In case a fluctuation occurs in the balance of the two main hormones of the female body, progesterone and oestrogen, there might be changes in the wall of the endometrium. Diseases or conditions like diabetes, obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome which increase the levels of oestrogen but not progesterone are very likely to cause endometrial cancer.
• Longer period of menstruation – In case of an early incidence of menstruation or a delay in the start of menopause, the endometrium is exposed to oestrogen for a longer period of time. This is more likely to cause endometrial cancer.
• Never being pregnant – Women with no experience of pregnancy are more likely to suffer from endometrial cancer than women who have been pregnant.
• Old age – The chances of endometrial cancer increases with age, more so after menopause.
• Obesity – As the body fat increases, so does the hormonal imbalance in the body. Obese people are more likely to have endometrial cancer.
• Breast cancer hormonal cancer – Women having breast cancer are treated with hormonal therapy drug tamoxifen. This drug increases the probability of having endometrial cancer.
Diagnosis
• Examination of the pelvis – The doctor examines the vagina and uterus to search for abnormalities.
• Ultrasonography – Ultrasound waves are used to get an image of the patient’s uterus and test it for any abnormalities on the lining of the uterus.
• Biopsy – The doctor scrapes a part of the uterus lining and tests it for malignancy.
Stages
• Stage 1 – The cancer is found only in the patient’s uterus.
• Stage 2 – It spreads to the cervix apart from the uterus.
• Stage 3 – The cancer spreads beyond the uterus of the patient during this stage.
• Stage 4 – In this stage the cancer spreads to the rectum, urinary bladder and other parts of the body.
Treatment of endometrial cancer:
• Surgery: The uterus can be removed by performing hysterectomy. This will prevent the cancer from spreading. The ovary and the fallopian tubes can also be removed.
• Radiation: Powerful X-rays are used to kill the cells affected by cancer. This can be used to shrink the tumour as well.
• Hormonal therapy: Two types of therapies can be done; the doctors may either increase the levels of progesterone or decrease the levels of oestrogen.
• Chemotherapy: Chemicals are administered to kill the cancer cells. This treatment is done in the advanced stages of cancer.
The team of Oncologists at Jehangir Hospital, Pune are well experienced and can assist in quick diagnosis and complete cure of this daunting disease as well.
The symptoms and signs of endometrial cancer are the following:
• Bleeding occurs in the vagina after menopause.
• Bleeding might occur between periods.
• The patient might suffer from pelvic pain.
• An abnormal discharge might take place from the vagina which might be watery or might have a tinge of blood.
• The patient might feel pain while having intercourse.
The patient must consult or visit a doctor when they undergo any of the above mentioned symptoms. The faster the cancer is detected the better the chances for survival of the patient.
Causes
• Hormonal changes in the female body - In case a fluctuation occurs in the balance of the two main hormones of the female body, progesterone and oestrogen, there might be changes in the wall of the endometrium. Diseases or conditions like diabetes, obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome which increase the levels of oestrogen but not progesterone are very likely to cause endometrial cancer.
• Longer period of menstruation – In case of an early incidence of menstruation or a delay in the start of menopause, the endometrium is exposed to oestrogen for a longer period of time. This is more likely to cause endometrial cancer.
• Never being pregnant – Women with no experience of pregnancy are more likely to suffer from endometrial cancer than women who have been pregnant.
• Old age – The chances of endometrial cancer increases with age, more so after menopause.
• Obesity – As the body fat increases, so does the hormonal imbalance in the body. Obese people are more likely to have endometrial cancer.
• Breast cancer hormonal cancer – Women having breast cancer are treated with hormonal therapy drug tamoxifen. This drug increases the probability of having endometrial cancer.
Diagnosis
• Examination of the pelvis – The doctor examines the vagina and uterus to search for abnormalities.
• Ultrasonography – Ultrasound waves are used to get an image of the patient’s uterus and test it for any abnormalities on the lining of the uterus.
• Biopsy – The doctor scrapes a part of the uterus lining and tests it for malignancy.
Stages
• Stage 1 – The cancer is found only in the patient’s uterus.
• Stage 2 – It spreads to the cervix apart from the uterus.
• Stage 3 – The cancer spreads beyond the uterus of the patient during this stage.
• Stage 4 – In this stage the cancer spreads to the rectum, urinary bladder and other parts of the body.
Treatment of endometrial cancer:
• Surgery: The uterus can be removed by performing hysterectomy. This will prevent the cancer from spreading. The ovary and the fallopian tubes can also be removed.
• Radiation: Powerful X-rays are used to kill the cells affected by cancer. This can be used to shrink the tumour as well.
• Hormonal therapy: Two types of therapies can be done; the doctors may either increase the levels of progesterone or decrease the levels of oestrogen.
• Chemotherapy: Chemicals are administered to kill the cancer cells. This treatment is done in the advanced stages of cancer.
The team of Oncologists at Jehangir Hospital, Pune are well experienced and can assist in quick diagnosis and complete cure of this daunting disease as well.
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