ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
What is it?
- Endometrial cancer is a cancer of the uterus that originates in the inner lining of the uterine hollow i.e. the Endometrium.
- Sometimes, it is also referred to as Uterine Cancer.
- Uterine Sarcoma is a much rarer occurrence than Endometrial Cancer
Symptoms
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include
- Vaginal bleeding even after the patient has crossed menopause
- Abnormal bleeding during the menstrual cycle
- Watery discharge from the vagina
- Pain in the pelvic region
Causes
- The cause of endometrial cancer is yet unknown, however it is believed that some factors create a genetic mutation in the endometrial cells
- This causes the abnormal cells to grow and proliferate out of control, forming a tumor mass
Risk Factors
- Hormonal imbalance in the female body
- Early menses or late menopause
- Never having a pregnancy
- Age
- Obesity
There is a possibility of the cancer spreading to other organs in the body, resulting in further complications.
Diagnosis
Endometrial cancer is diagnosed using the following techniques
- Pelvic examination
- Using sound imaging techniques
- Performing biopsies
Treatment
Treatment for Endometrial cancer is mostly done in combinations of two or more of the following methods
- Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
- In some cases, the surgeon may also perform a Salpingo-oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries and Fallopian tubes)
- Radiation therapy (using focused high energy radiations to destroy the cancerous cells in the endometrium)
- Hormone therapy (using female sex hormones to facilitate the ejection of the cancerous cells)
- Chemotherapy (using chemicals to kill the cancerous cells without harming any healthy tissue)
Effects
- Having a hysterectomy means the patient cannot be pregnant anymore
- Also, it is a matter of psychological recovery, to recover from any cancer
Post Surgery
- The patient is advised complete rest for sufficient period, accompanied with rehabilitation
- Cancer can be emotionally disturbing to anyone, and hence, it is important for the woman to have good emotional support after coming through the treatment
- Extreme physical activities should be avoided till full recovery
"Authored By Dr.Niraj Mahajan"
