Sight:- Uterus
Sex Prediction:- Female
Age:- Women of all age groups are at risk for uterine cancer. Risk increases with age.
Incidence:
Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the eighth most common cause of cancer death for women in Developed countries.
Risk Factors of Uterus Cancer:
- Aged above 50
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Taken Estrogen by itself without progesterone for hormone replacement during menopause for long time
- Taken Tamoxifena a drug used to treat certain cancers
- Hereditary, close family members who had uterine, colon or ovarian cancer.
Screening & Diagnosis:-
Pelvic Examination:- The doctor checks the ovaries, uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum to check for any abnormal changes. It can be accompanied with a Pap Test to find abnormal glandular cells caused by uterine cancer.
Apart from this, the following imaging tests is used to diagnose uterine cancer:
Transvaginal Ultrasound:- An ultrasound takes the help of sound waves to produce an image of internal organs. In case of a transvaginal ultrasound, the vagina is placed with an ultrasound wand to obtain the pictures. If the endometrial appears thick, a biopsy may be performed.
Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan:- A CT scan is used for producing three-dimensional picture of the internal body with an x-ray machine. Sometimes, a special dye can be injected into a vein to get better detail.
Doctors also use the following surgical tests to establish a diagnosis:
Endometrial Biopsy:- For an endometrial biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed with a very thin tube. The tube is inserted through the cervix in order to remove a tissue with suction. Endometrial biopsy is considered one of the most accurate ways to diagnose uterine cancer.
D&C:- During this process, the patient is given anesthesia to remove tissue samples from the uterus. It can be performed in combination with a hysteroscopy for viewing the lining of the uterus. After removing the endometrial tissue during a biopsy or D&C, the sample is reviewed for cancer cells, endometrial hyperplasia, and other conditions.
Symptoms of Uterus Cancer:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, or discharge
- Difficulty or pain when urinating
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain in the pelvic area
Uterus Cancer Treatment:
Surgery
Surgery is done to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue depending on the extent of the cancer. The surgeon can perform either a simple hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) or a radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, cervix, the upper part of the vagina, and nearby tissues). The surgeon can also remove lymph nodes near the tumor to find out the spread of cancer beyond the uterus.
Speak to your doctor about regarding the side effects of traditional surgery or laparoscopy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy works by stopping the growth of cancer cells by either killing it or not allowing it to divide further. Systemic chemotherapy is given through the bloodstream so that it reaches every cancer cell throughout the body. A chemotherapy schedule consists of a particular number of cycles given over a fixed time.
The goal of Chemotherapy in Uterine Cancer is to destroy cancer cells that get left after surgery.
Radiation Therapy
It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment is either given from a machine out of the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or given using implants (internal radiation therapy or Brachytherapy). Internal radiation therapy is given by injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the tumor or nearby area.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can slow the growth of uterine cancer cells. It is given in the form of a pill that contains the sex hormone progesterone. Other hormone therapies are tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin). It is ideal for women who cannot have surgery or radiation therapy due to medical reasons.