Uterine cancer is the cancer of the uterus. Through this blog, we will learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Cancer is the abnormally growing and dividing mass of cells. Cancer is a condition that develops when the body's cells have lost the function to stop dividing. When the cancer that starts developing in the cells of the lining of the uterus is known as uterine cancer. The lining of the cancer is known as the endometrium. The cancer of the uterus is also known as endometrial cancer. Other than endometrial cancer, uterus cancer can occur in the form of sarcoma. Uterine cancer in its early stages doesn't usually produce any symptoms, only in the advanced stages are the symptoms of the uterine cancer visibly evident.
What Are the Types of Uterine Cancer?
The uterus cancer is usually of two types.
The endometrial cancer constitutes almost 95% of the uterine cancers. The endometrial cancer starts its origination from the endometrial lining of the uterus. This type of cancer can be treated.
Uterine sarcoma usually is the cancer of the layer of smooth muscles of the uterus. The smooth muscle layer of the uterus is called the myometrium. Uterine sarcoma type of cancer is usually aggressive and is less common. This type of cancer is often hard to treat as well.
Why Does Uterine Cancer Happen?
The exact cause of uterine cancer is not known till date, but the mechanism of development of any cancer is alterations in the genetic makeup.
When the DNA makeup of the cells of the uterus changes, the chances for the development of uterine cancer increase. These DNA changes induce cell division n a faster rate, thereby progressing the cancer. When the cells have grown too far, the cancer can spread to the adjacent sites. The cancer can even metastasize to other organs affecting them with cancer.
What Are the Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer?
Factors increasing the chance of uterine cancer
- Postmenopausal women have higher chances of developing cancer
- Endometrial lining thickness known as endometrial hyperplasia
- Women who start their menstruation before 12 years of age
- Obesity and overweight also increase the chances of developing uterine cancer
- Women having a history of having no children
- Genetic conditions like Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome increase the chances of uterine cancer
- Hypertension or diabetes
- History of ovarian cancer or PCOD
- Familial history of cancer or uterus cancer
- Females on hormonal replacement therapy for fertility treatment
- History of previous radiation therapy
- Taking medication of breast cancer like tamoxifen can in duice uterine cancer
What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Uterine Cancer?
Signs and symptoms of uterine cancer can mimic symptoms of other reproductive organ diseases
Common Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer and Uterine Sarcoma
- Unusual bleeding from the vagina when you are not on periods
- Bleeding from vagina after menopause, even slight amount of bleeding
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Changes in your period pattern
- Persistent periods without a break
Less Common Symptoms of Uterus Cancer
- White fluid discharge from the vagina that has an unpleasant smell
- Weight loss suddenly in short duration of time
- Difficulty in passing urine and bowel
- Changes in the defecation routine
- Abdominal pain
- Blood with urine
- Pain while having intercourse
- Abdominal or pelvic swelling
What Are the Stages of Uterine Cancer?
Once the cancer of the uterus has been diagnosed, the diagnostic tests also reveal the spread, size, and other features of the cancer. These parameters are used to evaluate the stage of your uterine cancer.
Staging of Uterus Cancer
Stage 1
In the first stage of uterus cancer, the cancer is localized to the uterus only
Stage 2
The second stage of uterus cancer involves the spread of uterine cancer to the connective tissues of the cervix but the cancer doesn't spread beyond the uterus.
Stage 3
In stage three uterus cancer, the cancer cells spread beyond the uterus and the cervix that are involved, but it doesn't spread out of the pelvic region
Stage 4
In stage four uterus cancer, cancer has metastasized. During this stage, the cancer spreads to the adjacent and distant organs beyond the pelvic region.
How Is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed?
Imaging Tests for Uterus Cancer Diagnosis
- Pelvic examination
- Hysteroscopy
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Endometrial biopsy
- Dilation and curretage
- Transvaginal ultrasound
Diagnosis for Metastasised Uterus Cancer
- Chest X-ray
- MRI scan
- PET scan
- CT scan
- Proctoscopy
- Cystoscopy
Blood Tests For Uterine Cancer Diagnosis
- CA-125 assay is measured. CA-125 is a protein that signifies the cancer presence
How to Treat Uterine Cancer?
Uterus cancer usually doesn't present any symptoms until the later stages. When the cancer is diagnosed, it has reached in its late stages. In late-stage uterus cancer, surgery becomes the need.
Other Treatment Modalities for Cancer of Uterus
- Chemotherapy- It is the use of drugs/medicines that help in killing/breaking up the cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy- It is the mode of treatment that uses radiation to kill the cells of cancer.
- Hormone Therapy- This therapy often helps in treating cancer
- Immunotherapy- It helps in building the immune system to fight against the cancer
- Targetted Therapy- It usually targets on the specific cells of cancer which stops them from multiplying further.
Conclusion
Uterine cancer is often a symptomless disease in its early stages, but as the cancer develops and spreads, its symptoms start to show and aggravate further. When the cancer is diagnosed it has already progressed to its late stages. The preventive routine diagnostic checkups can very well help in the diagnosis of cancer. Choosing the best diagnostic centre can even ease the process of diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Pap Test Diagnose Uterine Cancer?
No, the PAP Smear or the PAP test is not sufficient to help make the diagnosis of uterus cancer, although it can help find out the metastasized cancer that has reached the cervix causing cervical cancer.
Will My Ovaries Be Removed in Uterus Cancer?
In certain metastasized cases, you might to get your both or one of the ovaries removed along with uterus removal. The ovaries removal is decided by your surgeon after he has thoroughly examined your cancer, its spread, and relatables.
What Happens After Uterine Surgery?
Side effects of uterus cancer surgery
- You might not be able to get pregnant in case where your uterus has been removed.
- If your ovaries are removed along with the uterus, you might face menopause if you haven't got it yet. That will change your hormone profile.
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause After Uterus Surgery?
Symptoms of Menopause
- Mood changes
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Weight gain due to slow metabolism
- Sleep problems etc.
