Uterine cancer: first signs and symptoms in women, life expectancy, photos, stages and causes. How quickly does cervical cancer develop? Malignant diseases of the uterine body

When diagnosed with uterine cancer, a woman does not always notice the first signs and symptoms. She feels painful sensations in the lower abdomen, observes blood discharge after douching or sexual intercourse.

The disease is very often asymptomatic and is determined by a gynecologist during a routine examination. As the disease progresses, bleeding appears between menstruation or after sexual intercourse or douching. Bloody discharge from the vagina indicates a pathology in the body, and consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Causes and signs of manifestation of a malignant tumor

The most common causes of malignant pathology are:

• Diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders.
• Infectious, sexually transmitted diseases – HIV, human papillomavirus.
• Cigarette abuse.
• Disorders of menstruation.
• Use of oral contraception.
• Numerous sexual partners.
• Early pregnancy, late menopause.
• Very early sexual intercourse.
• Decreased immune system.

Excess weight is also an important factor. A precancerous condition can develop into a malignant formation due to erosion, polyps, scars after childbirth, and chronic inflammation.

One of the main causes of the disease is considered to be hormonal disorders in the body, which leads to the growth of the uterine mucosa.

Genital endometriosis can lead to cancer. With this disease, neoplasms appear on the mucous membrane, growths on the genital organs - ovaries, bladder, fallopian tubes.

The first signs of uterine cancer are bloody discharge from the vagina. If there is blood after sexual intercourse or the menstrual cycle is disrupted, you should consult a gynecologist.

If a woman has not had a period for more than a year, and then there is a discharge with blood, she needs to undergo a full examination for uterine cancer. Only an experienced specialist can recognize uterine cancer after examination and a complete examination.

In the early stages, the disease may not manifest itself, but if the disease progresses, the following symptoms are observed:

• Menstruation is painful, it becomes heavy and lasts for a long time.
• Heavy or spotting discharge appears between menstrual cycles.
• Blood after sexual intercourse, douching, physical exertion.
• Pain in the lower abdomen during sexual intercourse.

These symptoms are also typical for other gynecological diseases. But in order to determine pathological changes in the body, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist.

During the examination, the doctor collects anamnesis, listens to all the patient’s complaints, finds out all the symptoms and the woman’s genetic inheritance.

It is important not to ignore such conditions:

• Discharge between periods can alert a girl. They may be transparent, yellowish, or mixed with blood. An oncological tumor can cause contact discharge, which appears during fast walking, physical activity, after sexual intercourse, even constipation causes spotting from the vagina. At an advanced stage, an unpleasant odor appears. The blood may flow profusely or lightly.
• The pathology causes anemia, fatigue and weakness of the entire body. Body temperature rises to 38% for no particular reason. These symptoms indicate cancer.
• Pain occurs when other organs are affected. In the later stages, pain appears in the lower back, rectum, and thigh; it is long-lasting and often repeated.
• The functioning of the urinary system is impaired. In the early stages, the tumor does not affect the bladder, but advanced disease causes frequent urge to urinate. This leads to the development of cystitis, the growth of a malignant formation contributes to the appearance of urinary retention and uremia.
• The neglect of cancer leads to constant constipation, and fistulas form in the intestines.

It is difficult to diagnose cancer in the early stages on your own. Only an experienced specialist can determine cancer after proper examination of the patient. Timely treatment saves 90% of women from death.

Diagnosis and treatment of pathology

To determine a gynecological disease, the gynecologist listens to the patient’s complaints and conducts an examination on a gynecological chair with mirrors. The doctor determines the condition of the vagina, the wall of the cervix, and determines the cause of bleeding, which is the main symptom of uterine cancer.

If there are any changes in the organs, the doctor takes a smear for further examination and takes part of the tissue for a biopsy. After histological examination, an accurate diagnosis can be made.

If uterine cancer is diagnosed, the patient undergoes vaginal curettage, then additional examination is performed. A woman is recommended to undergo ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

All diagnostic methods are very important for prescribing the correct combined or radiation treatment for the tumor. Treatment for malignant disease depends on the severity of the disease, age and general condition of the woman.

Every year, due to the deterioration of the general environmental condition of the planet and cities in particular, the number of sick women is growing. At the moment, this disease ranks first among all cancer diseases. Every year, 17 thousand people with gynecological cancer are diagnosed in our country. And what’s most unpleasant is that the figure is constantly growing every year.

What is uterine cancer? This is a malignant neoplasm in the uterine cavity, which begins to appear from the soft tissues and later develops into a cancerous tumor that affects the vagina and cervix, as well as nearby lymph nodes. In a normal state, the uterus has a pear-shaped shape, but in case of disease, there may be severe deviations.

If we take it in general, then the pathology occurs mainly in older women after 60-65 years of age. Also at risk are those patients who will soon enter menopause during menopause. In young girls, the disease appears much less frequently.

The advantage of this disease is that, compared to other malignant tumors, it begins to manifest itself at the earliest stages. The first symptoms are quite pronounced and most women immediately consult a doctor.

Causes of uterine cancer

Scientists and doctors still cannot answer the exact question of the origin of uterine cancer. The only thing that can be said for sure is that such diseases appear more and more often every year.

Risk factors for developing uterine cancer

• Genetics and diseases in close relatives: mothers, grandmothers, etc.
• Irregular sex life.
• Nulliparous women.
• Any intervention at the level of anti-estrogenic (hormonal) drugs. Such drugs include, for example, Tamoxifen. But here it is necessary to clarify that the risk can only arise if the drug itself is used incorrectly, which will lead to hormonal imbalance.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Severe obesity.
• The onset of menopause after 57 years.
• Permanent long-term anovulation.
• Endocrine infertility.

Mostly, endometrial cancer occurs in the female half of the population whose hormonal balance in the body is disturbed: due to illness or due to medications.

Types of pathogenetic diseases

Hormonally dependent- occurs much more often in women with diabetes and obesity. This is accompanied by increased production of the sex hormone estrogen. The hormones themselves begin to act on the inner layer of the uterus - the endometrium, resulting in hyperplasia, when the cells themselves begin to increase in size and then quickly multiply.

Further, the cells themselves can develop first into a benign formation, and then into cancer. Usually, other diseases may appear in combination: Stein-Leventhal syndrome or, as it is also called ovarian sclerocystosis, tumors of the ovaries and breast. This tumor is very sensitive to progestogens, but it grows quite slowly, which is why the disease progresses quite tolerantly.

SIGNS

1. Adrenal adenoma
2. Cirrhosis of the liver
3. Overweight
4. Follicular ovarian cysts and texomatosis
5. Late menopause.

Autonomous. When a woman reaches postmenopause, estrogen levels drop significantly, which causes atrophy of the ovary and endometrium. In this case, the tumor is not affected by female hormones. However, the tumor is very aggressive and growing rapidly. Rapid development is characterized by deep tumor growth deep into the tissues.

Stages of occurrence of malignant uterine tissue

1. External factors + lack of ovulation and increased estrogen levels.
2. Polyps
3. Endometrial hyperplasia
4. Atypia
5. Hyperplasia of epithelial cells is one of the precancerous conditions.
6. Pre-invasive cancer
7. Penetration into nearby tissues.

Symptoms of uterine cancer

Like any other cancer, the first signs of uterine cancer may indicate the presence of other diseases. A woman may confuse the first symptoms with hormonal fluctuations or various infectious processes, especially if she has already encountered them. But there are several factors that will indicate a tumor.

Early stages

1. Infertility.
2. Ovarian dysfunction.
3. Bleeding from the uterus. Many young girls can confuse this with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, which is why they waste a lot of time.
4. Watery, purulent and clear discharge from the uterus (Lycoria).
5. In younger women, uterine cancer may be indicated by intermenstrual bleeding, which is accompanied by a large amount of blood.

Late stages

1. Pain in the lower abdomen.
2. Pain in the lower back and sacral area. They arise due to the fact that the tumor affects the nerve endings.
3. Inflammation, purulent discharge from the uterus with a putrid odor.
4. If the cancer of the uterus and ovaries itself begins to spread to the cervix, then there is a possibility of its closure due to the tumor. Later, the pus itself will accumulate inside, causing intoxication.
5. In the later stages, when the tumor grows to nearby organs, there may be the following symptoms: for the intestines, constipation, mucus and blood in the stool, hydronephrosis due to compression of the ureteral canal, and lower back pain. If the cancer affects the bladder, there may be blood in the urine, and the process of urination itself will become problematic.

How quickly does the tumor develop? And what is cancer differentiation?

There are highly differentiated and poorly differentiated forms of cancer. In the first option, the tumor grows quite slowly for up to several years; in this case, if the tumor is detected early, it can be cured quickly and without consequences. In the second option, the tumor grows very quickly.

Metastases

Where do metastases occur in uterine cancer? First, the cancerous tumor itself spreads to the nearest lymph nodes of the pelvic organs. It all depends on the stage of the malignant tumor itself, as well as on the degree of damage to the uterus. The deeper the cancerous tumor sits, the greater the chance of metastasis to nearby organs and tissues.

When cancer spreads only through the lymphatic tract, this is called lymphogenous metastasis and occurs in the very first stages - stages 1 and 2 of cancer. Damage occurs to the uterine cavity and cervical canal.

In the later stages, hematogenous metastasis occurs, when the cancer cells themselves spread to any organs: lungs, bones, liver. Implantation metastases go to the nearest organs from the uterus.

Stages of uterine cancer

Let's look at the stages of cancer development using the FIGO method.

Stage 1	1 a— The tumor is located in the endometrial zone
	1b- half meometry
	1 c— reaches but does not cross the tunica rososa
Stage 2	2a- damage to the intracervical glands
	2b- damage to the cervical canal
Stage 3	3a- damage to the ovaries and affecting the abdominal cavity
	3b- metastases in the vagina
	3 c— Damage to the para-aortic and pelvic lymph nodes.
4 stage (latest stage of cancer)	4 a– metastases appear in the bladder and rectum.
	4 b— cancer cells penetrate into the blood, and then through it to other organs.

Forms of cancer

• serous
• mucinous
• undifferentiated
• squamous
• glandular squamous
• adenocarcinoma
• light cell

Diagnosis of uterine cancer

Any other cancer is usually very difficult to recognize in the early stages. Even screening diagnostics do not always give results. In order not to miss the moment of fire, it is necessary to undergo a routine examination with a gynecologist annually. Diagnostic methods are practically no different from other types of oncology.

This is done quite rarely, since usually the main antigen for uterine cancer is CA-125, but it can also indicate other diseases, since it is not specific to this organ. The only thing is that this analysis is carried out in aggregate to clarify the diagnosis. The antigen can also increase during normal inflammation, menstruation and pregnancy.

Biopsy. Aspiration biopsy is performed directly using a special syringe. The procedure itself is performed on an outpatient basis. For a more accurate result, it is best to carry out several procedures with a certain frequency.

Ultrasonography the same has a large error in the very initial stages of cancer. But you can view the thickness of the endometrium on ultrasound in postmenopause. If the indicator is exceeded 4 mm, there is reason to worry. Uterine cancer is visible on ultrasound even in later stages; the size of the tumor and the depth of germination can be examined.

Biopsy + Hysteroscopy. A tissue sample is taken and microscopic examination is carried out to determine changes in the cells.

MRI gives the most accurate result. Since you can find out not only the size of the tumor, but also the stage and extent of the lesion.

Color Doppler mapping makes it possible to see a picture of blood flow inside the uterus and the tumor itself. Later, additional research is carried out in a different way.

Fluorescence diagnostics is one of the most accurate methods for identifying uterine carcinoma at the earliest stages. Special substances are injected into a woman’s body, which accumulate in malignant cells. After irradiation, the substances themselves glow, which allows you to see the tumor itself, which can be very small. After this, a tissue biopsy is performed to clarify the diagnosis.

NOTE! The presence of comorbidities may interfere with or produce inaccurate results in some studies.

Treatment of uterine cancer

In the early stages, surgical intervention is possible, when the tumor itself, along with nearby lymph nodes, is simply removed. If the problem is identified before metastases appear, the cure rate increases. In any other case, radiation and drug treatment are additionally included. They can also remove the entire uterus and appendages. A hysterectomy operation is performed for metastases to the ovaries, body of the cervix, and also to the fallopian tubes.

If the tumor is not deeply affected, it is cauterized or ablation is performed in another way. But there is a risk of incomplete removal. Therefore, after the procedure, it is necessary to be constantly examined to ensure that uterine cancer does not return again.

If the tumor is at stage 3 or 4, then in this case radiation therapy is performed for uterine cancer. Often they do a combination of surgery to remove the tumor and radiotherapy to destroy the remaining cells.

Radiotherapy – IMRT – targeted irradiation of malignant tissues. The advantage of this method is that the nearby tissues do not suffer as much, and the affected area is reduced. However, the patient’s general condition does not deteriorate significantly during the procedure.

Brachytherapy— using a device, radioactive substances are injected directly into the tumor. The substances only act on cancer cells.

Hormone therapy. Special hormones are introduced that block the effect of estrogen on the tumor itself and thereby reduce its growth and development.

Chemotherapy. It is not the most effective remedy and is more aimed at reducing the impact of the tumor itself on the woman’s body. Usually carried out on poorly differentiated uterine cancer.

Diet and daily routine during cancer

• Rest more and always get enough sleep.
• No stress.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Complete nutrition with vitamins and microelements.
• Avoid sweets, chocolate, animal fat, fried foods, canned food, and spices completely.
• More dairy products and plant foods.
• Green tea
• Turmeric
• Beet
• Tomatoes

Uterine cancer and pregnancy

It is quite rare during pregnancy, but if the tumor itself is at a decent stage, then it can directly affect the fetus and reproductive system. This can cause placental abruption, bleeding, and result in miscarriage.

After curing cancer, a woman can give birth if the body of the reproductive organ has not been removed, but before this the doctor prescribes her a course of hormonal therapy to restore the internal hormonal levels of the body. As soon as a woman becomes pregnant, she will additionally have to undergo examination by an oncologist.

How long do they live with uterine cancer?

Life expectancy is largely influenced by the stage of cancer, as well as the intensity and aggressiveness of the tumor. At the first stage, the recovery rate is quite high - 80-90%. At the second stage 65-75%. When the third stage occurs and metastases appear, the percentage drops significantly to 30%. At the last stage, the chance of recovery drops to 5%.

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Oncological diseases are quite a pressing problem today. There are many recorded cases of citizens turning to the oncology center for help and diagnosis of such a disease.

Oncology, unfortunately, can spread to any organs in the human body. Tumors arise in various places and can begin to grow anywhere.

Uterine cancer occurs quite often in women today, and according to statistics, this type of oncology is one of the most common.

What is uterine cancer?

This type of tumor is a neoplasm. As is known, neoplasms can be malignant or benign.

A tumor such as uterine cancer can be classified as a malignant tumor.

The formation of such a neoplasm originates, first of all, from tissues located in the uterus, which can spread to all parts of the body.

Oncological disease is one of the most common diseases and ranks fourth after cancer of the breast, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

Morbidity statistics

In order to talk about any cancer disease, of course, one cannot fail to note the statistical data on the basis of which appropriate conclusions can be drawn.

As mentioned earlier, uterine cancer is one of the ten most common cancers and ranks fifth among them.

Of course, it should be noted that the occurrence of this disease, as well as mortality from this pathology, has decreased significantly in recent years.

Statistics show that this pathology occurs more often in women over 50 years of age. However, according to doctors, young girls are also susceptible to this disease.

Previously, there was an opinion that uterine cancer is one of the main causes of death from malignant tumors. The incidence of such pathology has decreased to 70%.

Types of uterine cancer

There are several morphological types of uterine cancer:

1. Adenocarcinoma;
2. Squamous cell neoplasm;
3. Glandular squamous cell type cancer;
4. Clear cell type adenocarcinoma;
5. Serous type cancer;
6. Mucinous cancer;
7. Undifferentiated cancer.

Causes of uterine cancer

Of course, the formation of uterine cancer is promoted by certain causes and factors that can aggravate the severity of this serious disease.

As such, the exact reason why the development and growth of a neoplasm on the uterus begins in the modern world has not been established or studied.

Research has made it clear that the factors contributing to the growth of cancer include the following number of reasons:

One of the most basic and, perhaps, dangerous factors contributing to the formation of cancer is increased body weight.

If a female patient’s body weight exceeds the usual established norm by more than 10-25 kilograms, then the risk of developing a tumor will be tripled.

Some facts also play a very important role in the occurrence of a malignant tumor:

• ulcerative processes
• uterus
• scar formations after childbirth;
• inflammatory processes.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

Diagnostics– a very important stage in any type of cancer. It is very important to diagnose the disease and this process must be organized competently.

Diagnostics includes:

Symptoms of uterine cancer in women

Of course, symptoms play an important role in determining this disease.

A symptom is something that should be paid utmost attention to if the patient feels that something is wrong. It is extremely important for women over forty to pay special attention to their health.

Unfortunately, cancer is one of the diseases whose symptoms appear in the final stages.

Conventionally, symptoms can be divided into several types:

Based on the age category and period of menopause, the following symptoms may appear:

• opening of bleeding;
• pain in the perineum;
• pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen;
• fatigue and sudden weight loss.

If you have one of the symptoms, you must immediately visit a doctor to eliminate this problem.

Determination of uterine cancer before menopause

As noted earlier, there are symptoms that make it clear that a tumor has appeared before the onset of menopause.

Most often, during such a period, vaginal discharge is already irregular and appears less frequently with each passing month.

It is during this period that symptoms of uterine cancer can include all the discharge with blood from the vagina.

Uterine cancer can be suspected only if the menstrual cycle gradually stops, and then discharge in large quantities begins again.

Manifestation during menopause

At a time when a woman has already begun, namely menopause, symptoms may also arise that need to be given special attention.

As a rule, a woman has not had her period for several months; symptoms of cancer can include bloody discharge, regardless of the frequency with which they appear, for how long and in what volume.

Description of the stages of uterine cancer and life expectancy

There are only four stages of uterine cancer:

1. The first is a tumor that affects only the body of the uterus. The tumor is capable of penetrating in the primary stages to the endometrium, myometrium to half the depth and to more than half the depth of the myometrium.
2. The second type is malignant cells, which are found directly in the cervix. This type of neoplasm can penetrate the body of the uterus and penetrate into the deep layers of the cervix.
3. The third tumor is capable of spreading to the vagina and appendages, as well as to the lymph nodes. This type of tumor can give rise to the serous layer of the outer uterus or adjacent appendages, begin to grow in the vagina, and, with metastases, move to the pelvic lymph nodes.
4. The fourth type of uterine cancer with the spread of metastases manifests itself in the bladder or in the rectal area, and also begins to spread to the lungs, liver, bones and distant lymph nodes.

In addition, the degrees of cell differentiation in the neoplasm differ.

There is a fairly high degree of cell existence, as well as a low-differentiated degree. The whole point is that the more differentiation is expressed, the slower the growth process of the neoplasm occurs.

Accordingly, the likelihood of metastases decreases. If the cancer is poorly differentiated, then the prognosis in this situation becomes worse.

Patient life expectancy:

• At the primary stage When the tumor is just forming and begins to populate the uterine body, the patient’s probability of recovery is about 80–90%.
• At the second stage, The cancer begins to penetrate beyond the boundaries of the uterine body itself and then affects the cervix. In such a situation, nearby organs are not affected. Recovery is noted in 3 out of 4 of all cases.
• At the third stage, when the oncological process begins to spread to the appendages and directly to the vaginal area, about 40% can get out of this situation.
• At the fourth stage, when the tumor grows beyond the pelvic area, the formation begins to penetrate the intestines and bladder tissue located in the uterus. The survival rate is no more than 15%.

Development of uterine cancer by stages (photo)

Metastasis

Metastases begin to grow and, usually, they penetrate the lymphatic vessels and nodes.

Being at the terminal stage, the human venous system is also affected.

Initially, the lesion begins to grow in the area of ​​the lymph nodes and its structure. As a rule, this happens in the iliac and hypogastric regions.

It is extremely rare that the lesions involve other organs.

Metastases also grow onto the cervical canal and, as mentioned earlier, beyond the aisles of the uterine body.

With the hemotogenic type method, from which metastases usually begin to penetrate directly into the area of ​​the appendage.

In addition, the vaginal area is also affected, and in some cases the kidneys, liver and bone tissues.

Speed ​​of disease development

The rate of growth and development is determined primarily by the histological type of occurrence. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the pathology, the body’s ability to fight, competent treatment and the age category of the patient, the psychological and spiritual mood of the patient.

As such, it will not be possible to get an exact answer and find out over what period of time the cancer will develop to its end.

Treatment of uterine cancer

Of course, the basis of competent treatment lies in surgical intervention, namely surgery.

The operation involves the removal of the uterine body in combination with the ovaries.

Very often, doctors prescribe this treatment methodology even after surgery or radio irradiation.

Radiation or radiation therapy can reduce the risk of relapse. However, this treatment method does not affect recovery rates.

Chemotherapy is also used. This method is in demand in oncology therapy.

In addition, good results have been observed with hormone therapy.

It is necessary to determine the appropriate method of therapy, taking into account certain factors. Prevention is the most effective measure to prevent diseases such as uterine cancer.

Methods and techniques of treatment

As noted earlier, treatment is possible in a comprehensive and comprehensive manner.

Very often, doctors force patients to agree to surgical removal of the tumor, radio irradiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Surgery

Intervention through surgery is a common type of cancer treatment.

This type of treatment involves surgery, which involves removing the uterine body and ovaries.

Radiotherapy

Radio irradiation is also a popular method of getting rid of cancer. However, this method allows you to get rid of only relapses of cancer.

This type of radiation, unfortunately, does not affect patient survival rates.

Hormone therapy

As is already known, hormones are quite a strong component that helps cure many diseases and can also prolong people’s lives.

Drugs used for this treatment Depostat, Farlugal and others.

If metastases are active, then treatment with progestogen is ineffective.

In this situation, it is prescribed Zoladek.

Very often, treatment with hormones combines chemotherapy to achieve the best effect.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a fairly common technique that allows, in certain cases, to get rid of cancer.

Quite often, this treatment methodology is used when tumor growth is widespread.

Also, with the autonomous nature of the tumor, if the metastases are in an active position and have begun to spread, chemistry is used.

Consequences of uterine cancer

It is worth immediately noting that uterine cancer is the most dangerous pathological condition. If there is no therapy as such, which is necessary during cancer treatment, then the consequences of the growth of education will most likely lead to death.

Often, oncologists offer it together with the appendages, with some part of the vagina and cervix.

As a rule, uterine cancer is detected in women whose age ranges from 45 to 60 years.

Differences between uterine cancer and fibroids

- this is a process that represents an increase and growth of uterine tissues, which are formed as a result of some traumatic factors.

Frequent abortions, curettage, inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system and much more can contribute to this.

It is worth noting that uterine cancer and fibroids have nothing to do with each other. These two pathologies are completely different and fibroids cannot develop into cancer in any situation.

It is also worth noting that oncology is formed in the epithelial layer, benign finds itself in the muscle layer.

That is why any patient should visit a gynecologist for examination.

Prevention of uterine cancer

To prevent such a disease, it is necessary to avoid diagnoses such as diabetes, obesity and infertility.

In other words, you need to control your body weight, treat reproductive functions, if necessary, and get rid of diabetes, if you have it.

In modern medicine, there is another measure to prevent cervical cancer - vaccination.

Vaccination against cervical cancer is a vaccine that prevents infection with the dangerous human papillomavirus. The occurrence of a malignant tumor is provoked by approximately 15 types of HPV, of which types 16 and 18 are the most oncogenic.

By itself, it cannot cause the development of the disease or provoke its exacerbation, but it forms stable immunity to all oncogenic types of HPV.

It should be noted the importance of such a means of prevention, because often even the use of the most innovative methods of treating a malignant tumor does not give the desired result, which leads to death.

Therefore, it is better to prevent the disease through vaccination, which prevents infection, which doctors recommend for girls aged 12 years and older.

There is also secondary prevention, which suggests that women over 40 years of age be examined year after year using ultrasound. This type of procedure helps detect cancer in its early stages and increases the chances of successful treatment.

Patient survival prognosis

As noted earlier, the survival rate primarily depends on the factor at what stage the cancer was found.

The sooner a reason arises and the patient visits a doctor and can diagnose cancer, the greater the chance of living long and beating cancer.

This suggests, first of all, that it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and undergo the required tests and examinations.

The interest of patients about how to treat uterine cancer is very important, and the answer to it will be visible only after a complete diagnosis, during which the type of disease and stage will be determined. The main types of treatment for this disease are:

Surgical intervention

Usually you have to resort to this type of treatment in the initial stages. The most common procedure is a hysterectomy - removal of the uterus and ovaries, as well as its appendages.

Women are often concerned about hysterectomy, how painful it is and how large a suture remains in the peritoneum after hysterectomy.

Depending on the extent of the cancer, the surgeon will perform either a simple hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) or a radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and nearby tissue).

For postmenopausal patients, the surgeon will also perform a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which involves removing both the fallopian tubes and the ovaries.

A hysterectomy can be performed as a traditional surgery with 1 large incision or laparoscopy, which uses several smaller incisions.

A hysterectomy, when there is a possibility of cancer, is usually performed by a gynecological surgeon, who is a surgeon who specializes in surgery on a woman's reproductive system.

Hyperectomy, the removal of the uterus using robotic technology through small holes, can also be used to treat cancer.

At the same time, along with removing the uterus, the surgeon may remove lymph nodes near the tumor to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the uterus.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of medications to help cancer cells die, usually by stopping the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide.

Chemotherapy is administered by an oncologist or gynecologic oncologist - a doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the female reproductive system with drugs.

When treating endometrial cancer, chemotherapy is usually given after surgery, either together with or instead of radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is also given if endometrial cancer comes back after initial treatment.

Systemic chemotherapy enters the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Common methods of administering chemotherapy include an intravenous tube placed into a vein using a needle, or a tablet or capsule that is swallowed by patients.

A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a specific period of time. The patient can simultaneously take 1 drug or combinations of different drugs.

The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy the cancer left after surgery or to shrink the cancer and slow the growth of the tumor if it returns or has spread to other parts of the body.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the person, the type of chemotherapy and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite and diarrhea. These side effects usually disappear after treatment is completed.

Advances in chemotherapy over the past 10 years include the development of new drugs to prevent and treat side effects, such as antiemetics for nausea and vomiting and hormones to prevent low white blood cell counts if needed.

Other potential side effects of chemotherapy for uterine cancer include inability to become pregnant and early menopause if the patient has not already had a hysterectomy (see Surgery above). Rarely, some medications cause hearing loss. Others may cause kidney damage. Patients may be given an additional intravenous injection to protect their kidneys.

Radiation therapy

There is both a remote method of treatment and a contact (internal) method. This is a fairly effective method, and is often used in cases where the surgical method is impossible or in cases where the disease occurs a second time (relapse).

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. A doctor who specializes in providing radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. A radiation therapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a given period of time. The most common type of radiation therapy is called external beam radiation therapy, which is radiation received from a machine outside the body.

Some women with uterine cancer need both radiation therapy and surgery. Radiation therapy is most often given after surgery to destroy any cancer cells remaining in the area. Radiation therapy is rarely given before surgery to shrink the tumor. If a woman is unable to undergo surgery, the doctor may recommend radiation therapy as an alternative option.

Radiation therapy options for endometrial cancer may include radiation therapy directed to the entire pelvis or applied only to the vaginal cavity, often called intravaginal radiation therapy (IVRT) or vaginal brachytherapy.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements and will depend on the extent of radiation therapy administered. Most side effects usually disappear soon after treatment is completed, but long-term side effects causing bowel or vaginal symptoms may occur.

Doctors sometimes advise their patients not to have sexual intercourse during radiation therapy. Women can resume normal sexual activity within a few weeks after treatment if they feel ready to do so.

In most cases, it is used after the later stages of the disease, when the spread extends beyond the initial localization.

Hormone therapy is used to slow the growth of certain types of uterine cancer cells that have hormone receptors on them. These tumors are usually adenocarcinoma and are grade 1 or 2 tumors.

Hormone therapy for uterine cancer often involves a high dose of the sex hormone progesterone in pill form. Other hormonal therapies include aromatase inhibitors often used to treat women with breast cancer, such as anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasine).

Aromatase inhibitors are medications that reduce the amount of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body, stopping tissues and organs other than the ovaries from producing it.

Hormone therapy may also be used for women who do not have surgery or radiation therapy, or in combination with other treatments.

Side effects of hormone therapy in some patients include fluid retention, increased appetite, insomnia, muscle pain, and weight gain. They do not pose any danger to the body.

You should also change your diet if you have uterine cancer: alcohol and foods that provoke cancer should be excluded from your diet. You need to eat more garlic, vegetables, broccoli, and fruits.