Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, with more than 49,500 people diagnosed with the disease each year. It tends to develop after menopause, when a woman is between the ages of 50 and 60.

 

Risk factors for endometrial cancer

Some of the risk factors include if you: 

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• Are between the ages of 50 and 60

• Began menstruating before age 12

• Entered menopause relatively late, after age 52

• Never gave birth

• Have a history of infertility (an inability to become pregnant)

• Have an ovarian disease, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, that could cause you to have higher than normal levels of the hormone estrogen and lower than normal levels of the hormone progesterone

• Have elevated blood sugar (diabetes)

• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)

• Have a family history of endometrial carcinoma

• Have taken the drug tamoxifen after menopause; the increased risk depends in part on the dose taken and the length of time it’s used. Women who take tamoxifen should discuss the risks and benefits of this drug with their doctors. 

• Have been diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia 

• Take certain types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

 

Symptoms for endometrial cancer

 

More than 90 percent of women with uterine (endometrial) cancer experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include: difficulty urinating, pain when urinating, pain during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain (usually a symptom of later stages of disease), unexplained weight loss (usually a symptom of later stages of disease).

 

Diagnosis for endometrial cancer

The diagnosis for endometrial cancer includes:

 

• Pelvic exam

• Computed tomography (CT) scanning

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 

• Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

 

If it appears that uterine (endometrial) cancer might be present, we will perform an endometrial biopsy to take a sample of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium).

 

Stages for endometrial cancer

• Stage I: Cancer that is confined to the uterus

• Stage II: Cancer that has spread to the cervix

• Stage III: Cancer that has spread to the vagina, ovaries, and/or lymph nodes 

• Stage IV: Cancer that has spread to the urinary bladder, rectum, or organs located far from the uterus, such as the lungs or bones

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Treatment for endometrial cancer

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Recent progress in the development of new tools and surgical techniques has transformed the treatment of uterine (endometrial) cancer, resulting in greater surgical precision and fewer complications overall. Minimally invasive operations offer such benefits as decreased pain, improved cosmetic results, and a relatively fast recovery.