Uterine Cancer
This is a cancerous tumor in your uterus, the pear-shaped organ also known as your womb. Most cases happen in the lining of the uterus ( endometrium), but you can have tumors in the muscles there, too. Over 60,000 women in the US get this type of cancer each year. If you're past menopause, your chances are higher.
Your genes can play a role of how likely you are to have uterine cancer. Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that makes you more likely to get certain cancers. Women with it have a much higher odds of getting uterine cancer. But having a problem doesn't mean you will get it. It means you and your doctor should watch for signs so you can treat it early if you do. Most women who get uterine cancer don't have a genetic cause.
If you haven't been through menopause and have bleeding or spotting--a red, pink, or white discharge--between periods, see your doctor. The same is true if you've had menopause and have these symptoms any time. Bleeding, can be a sign of uterine cancer or symptoms of other medical problems. Bleeding after menopause isn't normal, so it definitely needs to be checked out. Your doctor can help you find out what's going on.
Other symptoms
Let your doctor know if you have:
* Pain in your pelvis ( the area between your hips)
* Lost weight without trying
* Pain during sex
* A hard time peeing or it hurts to pee.
It's best if you find uterine cancer before it grows or spreads, so don't put off your checkup or ignore symptoms.
Let your doctor know if you have:
* Pain in your pelvis ( the area between your hips)
* Lost weight without trying
* Pain during sex
* A hard time peeing or it hurts to pee.
It's best if you find uterine cancer before it grows or spreads, so don't put off your checkup or ignore symptoms.
How it's diagnosed?
You may have an ultrasound so that your doctor can see inside your uterus. Your doctor may send a thin, lighted tube in through your vagina to get a closer look. But a biopsy is the best way to know if it's cancer. Your doctor will take a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and look for cancer cells through a microscope.
You may have an ultrasound so that your doctor can see inside your uterus. Your doctor may send a thin, lighted tube in through your vagina to get a closer look. But a biopsy is the best way to know if it's cancer. Your doctor will take a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and look for cancer cells through a microscope.
Has it spread?
If you have uterine cancer, your doctor will start with one of the following to see if has spread to nearby areas like, your cervix, or lymph nodes ( tiny glands in your neck, armpits, groin , and other parts of your body):
*Ultrasound
* MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of parts of your body.
* CT scans, which take X-rays from different angles and puts them together to make a complete picture.
If you have uterine cancer, your doctor will start with one of the following to see if has spread to nearby areas like, your cervix, or lymph nodes ( tiny glands in your neck, armpits, groin , and other parts of your body):
*Ultrasound
* MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of parts of your body.
* CT scans, which take X-rays from different angles and puts them together to make a complete picture.
The Four Stages of Uterine Cancer
Stage I
At this point, the cancer hasn't spread past your uterus. It may also affect the glands of your cervix-- the narrow passage at the bottom of your uterus--but not the tissues.
At this stage the doctor may perform a total hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix , as well as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The surgeon may also do a pelvic washing using a saltwater solution to flush out the abdomen. Then it's checked for cancer cells.
Stage II
In this phase, the cancer has spread from the uterus into the tissue of the cervix, but it still hasn't grown outside of the uterus.
The doctor will perform a surgery called radical hysterectomy to remove your uterus, the tissues next to it, and the upper part of your vagina. The surgeon may also remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. You may also need radiation therapy or vaginal brachytherapy
Stage III
The cancer has spread to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and, lymph nodes. But it hasn't affected your bladder or the inner lining of your rectum.
If your doctor thinks the cancer can be taken out with surgery, a surgeon may do a total radical hysterectomy and remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. They may also do pelvic washing. This is followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
If the surgeon thinks that the cancer is too widespread, you may get radiation. This may help shrink the tumor enough for surgery.
Stage IV
The cancer is in the bladder, rectum, or organ far from the uterus, such as the lungs.
For most people with stage IV of endometrial cancer, the cancer has spread too far for a surgeon to remove it all, but you may still get surgery similar to the kind, in early stages, as well as radiation to keep you from bleeding too much.
Hormone therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, may also help. Talk to your doctor whether it's a good idea to join a clinical trial. Researchers are studying new treatments that aren't yet available to anyone.
Credit: WebMD
Stage I
At this point, the cancer hasn't spread past your uterus. It may also affect the glands of your cervix-- the narrow passage at the bottom of your uterus--but not the tissues.
At this stage the doctor may perform a total hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix , as well as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The surgeon may also do a pelvic washing using a saltwater solution to flush out the abdomen. Then it's checked for cancer cells.
Stage II
In this phase, the cancer has spread from the uterus into the tissue of the cervix, but it still hasn't grown outside of the uterus.
The doctor will perform a surgery called radical hysterectomy to remove your uterus, the tissues next to it, and the upper part of your vagina. The surgeon may also remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. You may also need radiation therapy or vaginal brachytherapy
Stage III
The cancer has spread to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and, lymph nodes. But it hasn't affected your bladder or the inner lining of your rectum.
If your doctor thinks the cancer can be taken out with surgery, a surgeon may do a total radical hysterectomy and remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. They may also do pelvic washing. This is followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
If the surgeon thinks that the cancer is too widespread, you may get radiation. This may help shrink the tumor enough for surgery.
Stage IV
The cancer is in the bladder, rectum, or organ far from the uterus, such as the lungs.
For most people with stage IV of endometrial cancer, the cancer has spread too far for a surgeon to remove it all, but you may still get surgery similar to the kind, in early stages, as well as radiation to keep you from bleeding too much.
Hormone therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, may also help. Talk to your doctor whether it's a good idea to join a clinical trial. Researchers are studying new treatments that aren't yet available to anyone.
Credit: WebMD