What is Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial cancer is a special kind of cancer that starts when cells grow in the uterus. The uterus is where babies grow in a woman's body. This cancer begins in a layer of cells that make the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium. Some people also call it uterine cancer.

There are different kinds of cancer that can begin in the uterus, such as uterine sarcoma, but they're not as frequent as endometrial cancer. Normally, we can discover endometrial cancer in its early stages because it gives hints. A common hint is unexpected vaginal bleeding. If we find endometrial cancer early, it can often be treated by removing the uterus through surgery.

Types of Endometrial Cancer:

Endometrial cancer is generally classified into two main types:

Type 1 (Endometrioid): This is the most common type and usually has a good prognosis. It is often related to an excess of estrogen.
Type 2 (Non-Endometrioid): This type is less common and includes subtypes like serous and clear cell carcinomas. It is typically more aggressive.

Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer :

Early detection is vital, and recognizing the following symptoms can be essential:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause.
Unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual periods.
Pelvic pain or discomfort.
Pain during urination or intercourse.
Unintended weight loss.

Causes Of Endometrial Cancer :

Doctors don't exactly know the reason for endometrial cancer. But they do know that something changes the cells in the uterus lining and turns them into cancer cells.

This cancer starts when the cells in the lining of the uterus, which is called the endometrium, get changes in their DNA. DNA is like a cell's instruction book that tells it what to do. These changes make the cells grow really fast. They also make the cells live longer when they should naturally stop. This makes a lot of extra cells. Sometimes, these cells gather together and make a lump called a tumor. These cells can hurt healthy parts of the body by invading and damaging them. After some time, these cells can break away, travel to other body parts, and start growing there.

Risk Factors :

Things that can make you more likely to have endometrial cancer are:

Changes in how your body's hormones work: These are chemicals like estrogen and progesterone that come from the ovaries. If they get imbalanced, it can affect the endometrium.
Raise estrogen but not enough progesterone: These might be things like being very overweight, having diabetes, or having periods that aren't regular, like in polycystic ovary syndrome. Taking hormone therapy with estrogen but not progestin after menopause can also make endometrial cancer more likely.
Having your period for many years: If you start having your period before you're 12 or if you go through menopause later, your chances of endometrial cancer rise. The more periods you have, the more your endometrium is around estrogen.
Never being pregnant: If you've never been pregnant, your risk of endometrial cancer is higher than someone who's been pregnant before.
Getting older: The older you get, the more likely you are to have endometrial cancer, especially after menopause.
Being very overweight: If you're really heavy, your chance of endometrial cancer goes up. This might be because extra fat can mess with your hormones.
Using hormone medicine for breast cancer: Taking tamoxifen, a medicine for breast cancer, can increase the chance of endometrial cancer a bit. If you're on tamoxifen, talk to your doctor about the risk. Usually, the good stuff from tamoxifen is more than the small risk of endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis For Endometrial Cancer :

Tests and ways to find endometrial cancer include:

Checking Down There: A doctor will look at your private parts and put fingers inside to feel your uterus and ovaries. They might also use a special tool called a speculum to look inside your vagina for any signs of cancer.
Picture Tests: These tests make images inside your body to show where the cancer is. One test is like an ultrasound where a wand goes in your vagina to take pictures of your uterus. Other tests, like MRI and CT scans, might also be used.
Looking Inside: Doctors can put a small tube with a light called a hysteroscope into your uterus through your vagina. This helps them see the inside of your uterus and the lining.
Tiny Tissue Sample: Sometimes, doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from your uterus lining to check for cancer. They do this in their office. The sample goes to a lab to see if it's cancer. More tests can tell more about the cancer.
Surgery for Tissue: If the tiny tissue sample doesn't provide sufficient details, a procedure known as dilation and curettage (D&C) might be necessary. In this process, doctors gently scrape a small part of your uterus lining and then examine it under a microscope to see if there are any signs of cancer.

Treatment :

When it's time to treat endometrial cancer, doctors have a few ways to help. The treatment depends on how big the cancer is:

Surgery: Doctors might need to take out not only the uterus but also some nearby parts. This is called a hysterectomy. They might also remove the ovaries and tubes if needed.
Radiation Therapy: This is like a special light that targets and kills cancer cells. It's a bit like using a laser on the bad cells.
Chemotherapy: This is strong medicine that travels all around your body to find and fight cancer cells. It's like a superhero medicine.
Hormone Therapy: This changes how your hormones work. Hormones are like body messengers, and some can make the cancer grow. By changing them, doctors try to stop the cancer.

Endometrial Cancer Dos and Don'ts:

Endometrial Cancer Do's	Endometrial Cancer Don'ts
Talk to your doctor about hormone therapy if you're in menopause.	Don't start hormone therapy without talking to your doctor first.
Consider using birth control pills for at least a year.	Don't ignore side effects of birth control pills.
Stay active and eat balanced meals to keep a healthy weight.	Don't ignore your weight if you're too heavy.
Pay attention if you have unusual symptoms like strange bleeding or discomfort.	Don't ignore symptoms that might be linked to cancer.
Go to your regular check-ups and tests your doctor suggests.	Don't skip check-ups or wait if you're worried.
Tell your doctor about your family's cancer history.	Don't forget to share your family's cancer history with your doctor.

When To See A Doctor?

If you see any signs that seem strange, like bleeding after you've already stopped having periods or if you feel ongoing discomfort in your pelvis, don't wait. Reach out to a doctor as soon as you can. It's important to get the right check-up and advice. Don't be afraid to talk to healthcare professionals in a well-recognized gynecology hospital about your concerns – they're here to help you understand what's going on and guide you in the best direction.

Uterine Prolapse Care at Medicover Hospital

Medicover Hospital offers comprehensive care for uterine prolapse, including:

Experienced gynecologists specializing in pelvic floor disorders.
State-of-the-art diagnostic facilities to accurately assess the condition.
Advanced surgical techniques for effective and minimally invasive treatment options.
Collaborative approach between gynecologists, physiotherapists, and other specialists to ensure holistic care.