Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer and uterine adenocarcinoma, involves a malignant growth that originates in the lining of the uterus, more formally known as the endometrium. Uterine cancer may spread (metastasize) within the female reproductive organs or to other parts of the body.Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. Cancers of the uterus mainly affect... Read more >

Risk Factors

The exact cause or causes of uterine cancer are unknown. However, several risk factors increase a woman's vulnerability for developing endometrial cancer. These risk factors include hormones, poor diet, obesity, heredity, and previous cancers. Hormones and Uterine Cancer An increased risk of endometrial cancer has been linked to high levels of estrogen. Possible factors associated with elevated estrogen include... Read more >

Types of Uterine Cancer

The term endometrial cancer is used to describe a cancerous tumor that originates from the endometrial lining of the uterus. The type of cell from which the tumor develops determines the type of uterine cancer. Around 90 percent of all uterine cancers are endometrial adenocarcinomas.   Uterine AnatomyThe lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, is composed of tall, column-shaped epithelial... Read more >

Uterine Cancer Diet

Although the exact causes of endometrial (uterine) cancer are unknown, doctors agree that certain characteristics put particular women at a higher risk of developing this condition. Along with imbalanced hormones and family history, poor diet and obesity largely contribute to the growth of cancerous cells in the uterus.   As a result, eating healthy and exercising regularly are important aspects in the... Read more >

Diagnosis

Initial uterine cancer diagnosis involves an internal pelvic examination and a Pap smear. A Pap smear is useful for establishing the presence of abnormal cells. However, as endometrial cancer originates in the uterus, a Pap smear is unlikely to detect the presence of uterine cancer. In fact, more than fifty percent of cases of cancer of the uterus show normal Pap results.   The Pap smear is, however, the... Read more >

Screening

In recent years, genetic testing for hereditary uterine cancer has become more common.Recent research highlights the role of proteins, encoded by the genes BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1 and MLH2, in protecting the normal cells in the uterus from becoming cancerous. However, when genetic mutations occur, the cells in the uterus fail to function properly and succumb to the development of uterine cancer. Genetic mutations... Read more >

Treatments

Surgery is the most common endometrial cancer treatment for early stage tumors confined within the uterus. Adjuvant radiation therapy following surgery is also routine, particularly when the cancer is deeply embedded in the lining of the uterus.   Success rates for surgical uterine cancer treatment are as high as ninety percent for Stage I endometrial cancers. Surgical treatment involves radical... Read more >

Coping

Because cancer is an intensely physically debilitating disease, many cancer patients find they suffer from mental and emotional side effects as they deal with physical changes and extreme methods of treatment. Along with worrying about the costs of health care treatment, some experience anxiety, fear, frustration and feeling of helplessness as they try to cope with the physical effects of the disease and its... Read more >

Chemotherapy

While uterine cancer has devastating effects on the body, unfortunately, so too do the treatments associated with it. Because cancer is a condition in which cells in the body start and continue to grow abnormally, treatments for any type of cancer revolve around killing and stopping this abnormal growth. Although such treatments can be highly effective in putting cancer into remission, they do also destroy... Read more >

Sexual Side Effects

Although people suffering from any type of cancer may experience sexual side effects, women living with breast and any form of pelvic cancer, including uterine cancer, are at an especially high risk of having sexual side effects. The main reasons for this include: cancer and associated treatments affect hormone levels and sex drive reproductive and sexual organs have endured physical changes treatments and... Read more >

Treatment Options

All cancers, including uterine (endometrial) cancer, are diagnosed to be in a particular stage as your doctor assesses the gravity of your case. Like other types of cancer, uterine cancer treatment options revolve around the stage in which doctors define your tumors to be. As a result, your physician will first identify the stage of your uterine cancer before discussing your treatment options with you.   In... Read more >