Uterine Cancer: Symptoms, risk factors and possible treatment interventions

Uterine or endometrial cancer is uterus cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. It is among the most prevalent types of cancer in the female reproductive organ. Knowing what uterine cancer is, what its risk factors and symptoms are, and what to do to treat it can help get it detected more easily in the early stages.

 

How I knew I had uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer is defined as the development of abnormal cells in the uterus that grow uncontrollably. The majority of uterine cancers develop in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This type of cancer is called endometrial cancer, and they mostly occur in women after menopause but may also happen at any age.

Uterine cancer has two main kinds:

Endometrial carcinoma—the most common form, making up ~90% of uterine cancers. It begins within the uterus’s lining.

Uterine sarcoma—a rarer type that starts in the muscles or other tissues of the uterus.
 

Uterine Cancer Risk Factors

Some risk factors make it more likely that a woman will develop uterine cancer. These risk factors don’t make getting the disease a certainty, but they can change the odds it will happen.

Age: Uterine cancer is most often diagnosed in women over 50, and especially in post-menopausal women. With advancing age, the risk is also rising.

Hormone imbalance: endometrial carcinoma is very much related to estrogen. This puts women with excess estrogen compared to progesterone at risk. Causes of this imbalance include things like obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Obesity: Having excess body fat can result in increased estrogen levels within the body, thereby raising the risk of uterine cancer. It is one of the most important risk factors for cancer that can be changed.

Family history: Women who have a family history of uterine cancer or certain hereditary conditions, like Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer), are at an increased risk. The patient’s history of Lynch syndrome A hereditary condition that increases the chance of many cancers, including cancer of the uterus.

Diabetes and High BP: The chances of uterine cancer increase in women if they are diabetic or have hypertension. Further, these diseases are usually correlated with more weight and also hormonal variability.

Limiting Reproductive Factors:  Women who have never given birth or delivered a full-term pregnancy may be at increased risk for uterine cancer compared with women who have, and women with infrequent menstrual cycles are also thought to be at higher risk. Likewise, early periods or late menopause place us all at greater risk through prolonged estrogen exposure.

Radiation Treatment Women who had radiation to the pelvic area as treatment for other cancers, such as ovarian cancer or lymphoma, have a greater risk of developing uterine cancer.

Uterine Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of uterine cancer can also be different from one woman to the next. However, that is not significant because lots of these symptoms are associated with other medical conditions; therefore, if any of the following happen, always see a physician:

Uterine Cancer: The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding (especially after menopause). This could be seeing or heavy bleeding between periods or after sex.

Pelvic Pain: If the pelvic pain (pain experienced below the abdomen) does not go away, it is a symptom of uterine cancer. The pain may be constant or it could come and go, but at some point, this condition also worsens.

Unintentional weight loss: severe-realized weight loss without changes to eating and exercise habits might be a sign of uterine most cancers, specifically within the advanced phases.

Pain During Intercourse: During sexual activity, pain during intercourse can also be a symptom of uterine cancer but could be related to other factors like infections or fibroids.

If the tumor gets big enough, it may push on the bladder or rectum and lead to difficulty with urination, frequent urination, or even constipation.

Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or fatigue that is not alleviated after resting may signal cancer metastasis.

Diagnosing Uterine Cancer

If a healthcare provider suspects that uterine cancer might be present, they will administer tests to establish the diagnosis and ascertain its stage. These tests may include:

Pelvic exam: A doctor checks the vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries for any abnormalities.

Transvaginal Ultrasound: This image test uses sound waves to create an image of the uterus and ovaries. It can find if the lining of the endometrium is thickened, which may mean that it is cancer.

Endometrial biopsy: This involves the removal and examination of tissue from the lining of the uterus for cancer cells. Endometrial biopsy is the popular procedure used to diagnose uterine cancer.

Hysteroscopy: A small camera is inserted into the uterus to visualize the uterine cavity and obtain tissue samples if indicated.

D&C (Dilation and Curettage): When the endometrial biopsy is not very conclusive, a D&C can be performed to remove tissue from the uterine lining for examination.

CT or MRI Scans: Imaging tests, such as a CT or MRI scan, may be done to see if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body if it is diagnosed.

Therapeutic Approaches for Uterine Carcinoma

Management of uterine cancer is based on the type and stage of the cancer, along with the health and preferences of a woman. The treatment options are:

Surgery: Hysterectomy is the main treatment option for uterine cancer in which the uterus is removed. Usually, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also extracted. In the early stages, just having surgery can be enough to destroy the cancer.

Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays, used in radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. It can serve as adjuvant therapy—after surgery to eliminate any residual cancer cells—or as a primary treatment in patients who are not surgical candidates.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. For patients with more advanced or metastatic uterine cancer, it could be suggested.

Hormone Therapy: Hormones help slow or stop the growth of endometrial cancer cells for some women. This is sometimes administered for estrogen-sensitive cancers.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: These therapies are aimed at individual molecules that are involved in the growth of cancer cells. Immunotherapy enhances natural barriers to cancer using the immune system. These alternatives are generally reserved for advanced cases or tumors resistant to treatment.

Avoid Indulging Overdoing and Avoid Spreading Early Stage

Although, to date, there is no way to prevent uterine cancer from developing, some healthy lifestyle modifications might be beneficial. A healthy body weight, regular physical activity, a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as normal hormone levels, may reduce the risk.

Recognizing and discussing any forms of abnormal symptoms with a doctor, in addition to routine gynecological exams, can help catch these types of cancers earlier, leading to better treatment and recovery opportunities.

Conclusion

Blessedly, uterine cancer is a significant health concern, but know that it is more manageable than ever before with the great advance of early detection and treatment. With knowledge of risk factors, awareness of symptoms, and early detection, women can increase the odds that they will survive this disease. Preventive screening and a solid lifestyle can help reduce the possibility of developing uterine cancer and contribute to well-being.