Uterine Cancer: Signs, Root Causes, and Remedies
In the realm of women's health, uterine cancer is a significant concern. This type of cancer originates in the uterus, a pear-shaped organ also known as the womb, where a fetus grows during pregnancy.
Uterine cancer can be divided into two main types: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancer starts in the endometrium, while uterine sarcoma develops in the smooth muscle layer of the uterus or supporting connective tissue. Uterine sarcoma is relatively rare and tends to be more aggressive than endometrial cancer.
Doctors are unsure of the exact causes of uterine cancer, but high levels of the hormone estrogen play a role in its development. Factors that may increase a person's risk include hormonal imbalances, age, obesity, genetic predisposition, family history, metabolic conditions, reproductive history, and use of certain medications or therapies.
Symptoms of uterine cancer may include vaginal discharge, heavy periods that are unusual for the person, vaginal bleeding between periods, changes to vaginal discharge, abdominal or pelvic swelling, pain in the lower back or pelvis, pain during sex, and blood in urine.
Doctors use a process called staging to determine if uterine cancer has spread and how far. This helps guide treatment decisions. If doctors suspect advanced cancer, they will order additional tests to check for cancer spread, such as chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, cystoscopy, proctoscopy, and blood tests.
Diagnosis often involves procedures like hysteroscopy and dilation and curettage. Treatment typically begins with surgery, where a surgeon removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries and looks for signs of cancer spreading during surgery. Post-surgery, doctors may use radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.
The 5-year relative survival rate for all stages of endometrial cancer combined is approximately 84%. It's crucial for anyone experiencing unusual vaginal spotting, bleeding, and discharge, particularly those who have gone through menopause, to contact a healthcare professional for advice. Those with a uterus can develop uterine cancer, but those who have had a hysterectomy cannot.
In the United States, doctors are expected to diagnose around 66,200 new cases of uterine cancer in 2023, and about 13,030 people may die from the condition.
[1] American Cancer Society. (2023). Uterine cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer.html [2] Mayo Clinic. (2023). Uterine cancer. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352440 [3] National Cancer Institute. (2023). Endometrial cancer: Genetics and family history. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/endometrial/patient/endometrial-treatment-pdq#section/_30 [4] National Cancer Institute. (2023). Endometrial cancer: Risk factors. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/endometrial/patient/endometrial-treatment-pdq#section/_40 [5] National Cancer Institute. (2023). Uterine sarcoma: Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine-sarcoma/patient/uterine-sarcoma-treatment-pdq#section/_100
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