Endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, starts in the endometrium, the uterus lining. It’s a common cancer affecting many women in the US. In 2020, there were about 65,620 new cases and 12,590 deaths.
This cancer mostly affects women after menopause, but young women can get it too. Risk factors include obesity, hormonal issues, diabetes, and using estrogen after menopause. A family history or never being pregnant also increases the risk.
Knowing the signs of endometrial cancer is key for catching it early. Symptoms are not the same for everyone but may include unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, problems with urination, and weight loss.
Diagnosing endometrial cancer requires a series of medical checks. These include a physical exam, imaging like ultrasound or MRI, and a biopsy. The biopsy is crucial as it checks the tissue for cancer cells. This helps doctors know the stage and grade of the cancer to plan the best treatment.
Thanks to research, there are many ways to treat endometrial cancer today. These treatments could be surgery, radiation, chemo, targeted therapy, or hormone drugs. The right treatment depends on the cancer’s stage, the patient’s health, and their choice.
Recently, stem cell therapy has gained attention for endometrial cancer treatment. Stem cells can repair the body’s damaged tissues. Doctors hope they can use stem cells to fight cancer in the uterus, offering new treatment possibilities.
Key Takeaways:
- Endometrial cancer is common in postmenopausal women but can occur in younger ones too.
- It is important to know the symptoms, such as unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain, for early detection.
- Risk factors include obesity, hormonal imbalances, and a family history of the cancer.
- Diagnosis involves a physical exam, scans, and a biopsy to check for cancer cells.
- Treatment can be through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, hormone therapy, or ongoing stem cell research.
Treatment Options for Endometrial Cancer: Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Hormone Therapy
Endometrial cancer can be treated in several ways. The treatment chosen depends on many things like age and health. The stage and grade of the cancer also play a big part. Below are the main ways to treat endometrial cancer:
Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Surgery is often the first choice and is very common. Its main goal is to remove the cancer from the uterus and surrounding areas. There are different types of surgeries for this:
- Hysterectomy: This means removing the uterus.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: It removes the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- Lymph node dissection: This is when they check nearby lymph nodes for any cancer spread.
Radiation Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
Radiation therapy uses strong X-rays or radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two ways to get this treatment: from the outside or from the inside. It’s often done after surgery, to make sure all cancer is gone, or if surgery is not an option.
Chemotherapy for Endometrial Cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop cancer cells from growing. It’s given through a vein or by mouth. This treatment is used when cancer might have spread or as an added step after surgery or radiation.
Targeted Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
This treatment focuses on specific changes in cancer cells. It can try to stop cancer cells from growing or help the immune system fight them. Targeted therapy can be used alone or with other treatments.
Hormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
Hormone therapy uses medicine to block hormones that help cancer grow. It’s used for certain types of endometrial cancer. It might slow down cancer or make the tumor smaller.
Each treatment has good points and possible bad effects. Make sure to talk about the best option with your healthcare team. They’ll consider what’s best for you.
Conclusion
Endometrial cancer is a major threat to women’s health, with many risks and clear signs. Catching it early and treating it promptly are critical for better chances of beating it. With new research, we now have more ways, like stem cell therapy, to fight it.
Preventing endometrial cancer is the best strategy. Stay at a healthy weight, exercise often, and eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Also, keep up with screenings and learn the signs to spot it early. Doing these things lowers your chances and helps with early treatment.
Even though endometrial cancer is a big worry, science keeps finding new clues. Experts look for markers, study new treatments, and improve the ones we already have. Together, they aim to boost what we know and do about this cancer, for better results for patients.