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The Stages of Endometrial Cancer

lginger — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:52:25 +0000

There are 4 stages of endometrial cancer that starts once diagnosed. They are outlined below:

- Stage 1: Patient diagnosed with endometrial cancer found in the uterus affecting inner and outer half of the muscle layer called myometrium.

- Stage 2: Cancer has spread out affecting both cervix and uterus and the glands that connects them.

- Stage 3: Cancer has affected the uterus, vagina, and cervix.

- Stage 4: Cancer is affecting bowel wall and bladder, including pelvis, groin and abdomen.

Treatments:

There are various ways of treating endometrial cancer taking the stage into consideration. These are the following:

1. Hysterectomy – Removal of cervix and uterus through an operation.

2. Bilateral salpingo – ophorectomy – Removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries through a surgery.

3. Radical Hysterectomy - Removal of fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and part of the vagina through a surgery.

Gynecologic Cancers Associated with Endometrial Cancer

lginger — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:02:54 +0000

There are number of Gynecologic Cancers associated with Endometrial cancer, sharing the same symptoms that should alert any woman to get immediate medical attention. These are the following:

- Uterine fibroids or the benign tumor found in the womb.

- Endometriosis, which develops on the fallopian tubes and ovaries, hinders conceiving.

- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding or having menses more often and heavier than expected or having menses when you should not. (ex. Pregnant women, children aging 10 years or below or after the menopausal stage.

- Hyperplasia or growth of endometrium.

- Cervical cancer which affects the uterine cervix.

- Cervicitis – this ranks first among the gynecologic disorder affecting half of the women’s population. Common symptoms includes abdominal pain or vaginal discharge not associated with menses.

All of gynecologic disorder mentioned above have common symptoms which are abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, abdominal pain, etc.

The problem with Endometrial Cancer and other gynecologic disorder is early detection. A woman suffering from gynecologic disorder may not notice the symptoms until the condition is serious making the treatment more difficult. Doctors advise to get regular Pap smear and seek for immediate help once you experience any of the symptoms.

Facts About Endometrial Cancer

lginger — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:59:30 +0000

When there is uncontrollable and rapid cell growth in the lining of uterus, Endometrial cancer usually occurs. This illness is deeply associated with older women (50-90 years old) especially during the menopause stage, or the absence of monthly menses that occurs usually when a woman reach 45-50 years of age. Good news is, this is highly curable if early detected or when the cancer is still inside the uterus. 93% of women that are diagnosed with this disease are treated and protected from it for approximately 5 years.

Up until this time, there are no specified causes of this kind of cancer. However, doctors have associated Endometrial cancer with imbalance of hormone estrogen and hormone progesterone in a woman’s body.

Estrogen is a hormone mainly produced by the ovaries that helps in regulating monthly menses, while progesterone is produce by placenta that is directly involved in preparing the uterus for pregnancy.

During menopausal stage, production of estrogen and progesterone in the body decreases, triggering the monthly menses to stop.

Below are the known symptoms of Endometrial Cancer.

1. Unusual vaginal discharge and/or bleeding not associated with menses. If you are having vaginal bleeding in between menses, it is highly advisable to see your OB-GYNE that can help you detect or prevent any gynecologic disorder even before it starts.

2. Pain or lump in the pelvic area – Self-examination plays a vital role in saving yourself from getting gynecologic disorder. A lump anywhere in the pelvic area or pain not associated with menstruation is the common symptoms of endometrial cancer.

3. Difficulty in urinating. This is symptom is usually connected with urinary track infection.

4. Weight loss.

The Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

lginger — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:22:50 +0000

The uterus is the pear-shaped female organ found in between the rectum and bladder. Its main purpose is to receive the ovum that is fertilized and will eventually become fetus. During pregnancy, it acts as the life support of the unborn baby until birth.

Cancer is defined as disease caused by abnormal or rapid growth of cells inside the body. In the United States, cancer of the uterus is the number one type of cancer affecting women’s reproductive system, representing 6% of the total reported cases of cancer. In 1998, more than 6,000 women mostly on the menopausal stage died because of this disease.

Although, uterine cancer is deeply associated with women aging from 45-50 years of age, recorded cases show that 30% of cancer victims are younger women who are obese and diabetic.

The common symptoms of uterine cancer are shorter or longer menstrual cycle (regular cycle is from 28-31 days) or bleeding between menstrual cycle, abnormal bleeding, which includes vaginal spotting, unusual heavy menses that last all through out the menstrual period, or vaginal discharge. The patient may also experience recurring pain or lump in the pelvic area and abdominal pain. For younger women, difficulty conceiving or infertility may also be associated with uterine cancer.

There are several factors causing uterine cancer. Some are the following:

1. Diabetes – studies show that diabetic women faces higher risk of developing uterine cancer compare to non-diabetic women.

2. Age – uterine cancer usually occurs when women reached menopausal stage or when they reached the age of 45-50.

3. Family history – Research found that this disease might run in the family.

4. Colon, breast or ovarian cancer – Women who have treated or untreated cancer associated with the reproductive organ has high risk in developing uterine cancer.

5. Infertility – which is characterized as not being pregnant within 1 year of unprotected sex. This may increase the risk if the patient took or is still taking fertility drug.

6. Irregular menstrual periods – frequent menses or long interval of menstrual period prevents the ovaries from producing egg cells or ovulating. This may due to hormonal imbalance that may lead to uterine or other cancer affecting the reproductive system.

7. Polycystic ovary syndrome – or the presence of pear-necklace-like cyst around the ovaries that stops the ovaries from producing egg cells.

Like most cancer or diseases associated with the reproductive organ, the cause of uterine cancer is still unknown though it is highly associated with estrogen and progesterone hormone imbalance. Studies show that taking contraceptive pills before the menopausal stage can prevent it. Regulating the body weight and sugar level will also help. It is also important to get immediate medical attention once one or more of the symptoms are experienced. This can prevent the cancer from developing and spreading through out the reproductive system.

Treatments

Women who are experiencing symptoms of uterine cancer go through pelvic exam to examine the vagina for any gynecological problem, dilation and curettage (D&C) to scrape the endometrium or the lining of the uterus and biopsy or the process or getting sample tissue from a woman’s body for further examination.

Like any other cancer, the best way to combat uterine cancer is through early detection and awareness. Regular pap smear is the strongest weapon to prevent it even before it starts.

Facts About Uterine Cancer

lginger — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:57:52 +0000

The cancer of the uterus is the most common cancer that is acquired by females. It occurs mostly in the female reproductive system where there is tumor found in the inner lining of the uterus also known as the endometrium. The American Cancer Society has reported that there are 40,320 new cases of endometrial cancer in the United States. The good thing about it is that if the cancer is discovered and reported early, there is a great chance of surviving this cancer.

Most women who were detected early to have the symptoms of the cancer in the uterus are considered to be in their menopausal stages. The symptoms may occur in the vagina, where a woman would experience abnormal severe bleeding. Women who are in their 30’s have lesser risks in acquiring this kind of cancer, and there should be rare cases in females that are in their 40’s. When she experiences a hard time in urinating and she experiences severe pain in the vagina while having a sexual intercourse, she may have the symptoms of the cancer in the uterus.

Another symptom that can determine if a female has this kind of cancer is when she is experiencing an abnormal menstrual cycle. It is important that she should see an expert to see if she has a tumor in the uterus. Most cases that were not treated are those cancers, which are on their critical stages. Early detection of the cancer may lead to a better treatment and the survival percentage is higher.

Obesity is one big factor for someone to develop a cancer in the uterus. Other factors that can be considered as risks in having this kind of cancer is if the family has a history on cancers like in the colon especially if the profile is similar to the type of colon cancer on the hereditary part of the individual. If an individual does not have any children in her late stages or in her menopausal stage, the risks of having uterus cancer is very high.

If an individual has high blood pressure or if she has diabetes would indicate that she has a greater chance in having a cancer in the uterus. Statistics show according to the American Cancer Society that most Caucasian females have the most number of cases when it comes to the cancer of the uterine although more African-American die from uterus cancer.

The tendency to experience an irregular menstrual period in the near menopausal stages should be common to most females. There is the increase of hormonal levels and they fall unexpectedly. These circumstances may also show signs of uterine malfunction or early stages of uterine cancer.

If the menstrual cycle has stopped for several months and then the cycle started once more with severe bleeding in the vagina, it is advisable that the individual must tell the problem to her husband so that she will be accompanied in seeing a doctor for examination and biopsy if needed to detect any signs of cancer in the uterus.

Other hormonal abnormalities that can cause uterine cancer may include the bleeding of the adrenal glands and the thyroid glands. There are pre cancerous conditions which include polyps, infections in the uterus, Fibroids, and scar tissue that may lead to unexpected bleedings. It is important to tackle this kinds of symptoms with the help of a professional cancer doctor to know what kind of diagnostic examinations are needed to detect the cause of the abnormalities.