Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is a malignancy that affects the lining of the uterus. It typically arises from the abnormal growth of cells in the endometrium. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, post menopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or an enlarged uterus. Early detection and treatment increase the chances of successful outcomes.
A uterine sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the muscles or other tissues of the uterus. Unlike endometrial cancer, which begins in the lining of the uterus, uterine sarcoma originates in the connective tissues of the uterus, such as the muscle (myometrium) or the supportive tissues (stroma).
Uterine sarcomas are divided into subtypes based on the specific type of tissue they originate from, including leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma is the most common subtype.
The medical issue can also lead to gynaecological problems if not treated promptly. Reproductive or gynaecological disorders are one of the common issues in females. Many of them can be resolved with the help of simple lifestyle changes. However, in case of procrastination in the treatment of such issues can lead to severe symptoms giving birth to substantial gynaecological disorders.
Causes of Uterine Cancer
Mentioned below are some of the Uterine Cancer Causes that help to investigate the root issue and allow a doctor to suggest the required treatment:
Thickened Wall Lining– In the case of gynaecological cancer, the cancerous cells multiply rapidly and may form a lump in the affected spot. The disease also thickens the uterus lining, making the affected individual uncomfortable performing daily routine functions. The condition is termed endometrial hyperplasia.
Diabetes– A female with diabetes is more prone to gynaecological cancer. In addition, other medical issues like obesity, high cholesterol levels, hormonal imbalance, and improper triglyceride levels can accompany the condition.
Obesity– Obesity is another major cause of gynaecological cancer. It leads to a hike in the aromatase activity leading to endometrial proliferation. Obese females are at a higher risk of getting affected by cancer than females with a healthy BMI.
Family History– The spread of a disease observed in the family history may run through generations. Uterine Cancer can also affect a female with a family history of the disease. 10% of the disease cases involve patients with a family record of the condition.
Age- Uterine cancer primarily affects postmenopausal women. The risk increases with age, with most cases occurring in women over the age of 50.
PCOS– Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is one of the major causes of genital cancer. The reasons contributing to PCOS, such as obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and other similar issues, also increase the chances of a female getting affected by gynaecological cancer. Women suffering from PCOS are more likely to develop cancer than healthy females. An imbalance in oestrogen and progesterone hormones can disrupt the normal growth and shedding of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
Radiation Therapy– Radiation therapy used to treat the pelvic region is also one of the rare causes of cancer. This is because the high-powered beams used for the treatment can damage the DNA and lead to conditions causing the formation of cancerous cells. Therapies involving exposure to high-powered beams also act as one of the rare contributing factors to cancer.
8 Hereditary factors- Inherited genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) and certain types of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes), can elevate the risk of endometrial cancer.
Prior history of cancer- Women who have previously had breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer have a slightly higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
The most common symptom of uterine or endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. However, it’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions unrelated to cancer. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation:
Abnormal Bleeding- Unexplained vaginal bleeding in between periods or after menopause is one of the Uterine Cancer Symptoms. Under such situations, it is always recommended to get the condition checked by a gynaecologist to identify the reason and begin the medication as soon as possible. The bleeding may be heavy, accompanied by pain and uneasiness.
Vaginal discharge- Unusual vaginal discharge may be watery, bloody, or unpleasant
.Weight Loss– Individuals with Uterine Cancer may have feeling of fullness leading to loss of appetite. . The patient cannot consume the required nutrition leading to unhealthy weight loss.
Abdominal Pain– Aching pain in the abdomen is another symptom of genital cancer. The tumours block the cervical canal, making it painful for the affected patient. The situation also results in unexplained watery uterine discharge and bleeding.
Frequent Urination– If the cancerous cells grow into a tumour and pressurise the bladder, the affected individual may feel the urge to urinate frequently. The condition also leads to situations such as the individual feeling full, abdominal pain, and bleeding in severe cases.
Pelvic pain or discomfort- Persistent pain in the pelvic area, including pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), may occur.
Painful or swollen legs- In advanced cases, uterine cancer can spread to the lymph nodes or blood vessels, causing leg pain or swelling.
Bony pains- If the tumor spreads to bones, it may lead to bony pains at the affected site.
Treatment Options for Uterine Cancer
The treatment for uterine cancer depends on the extent and stage of patient, comorbidities and medical fitness of the patient.
Hormone Therapy helps balance the affected patient’s hormones due to cancer. The treatment is given in the form of tablets or is directly injected into the affected patient. The therapy is usually advised when surgery can be risky for the patient due to certain medical circumstances.
Wetheim,s Hysterectomy is a surgery involving the removal of the uterus, cervix, part of vagina, ovaries , part of omentum, pelvic and para-aortic lymphnodes and peritoneal washings depending on stage of disease. The procedure helps to cease the growth of cancer as the hormones producing cancer cells are eliminated from the patient’s body. It is one of the most common treatment options for genital cancer.
Radiation Therapy– It involves a combination of external beam therapy and brachytherapy. It is usually delivered after surgery but in cases the patient is medically unfit, can be used as a sole modality but it has inferior outcomes. External beam therapy is delivered from a distance using high energy X-Ray beams to kill cancer cells. The therapy aims to lower the reoccurring cancer cells damaging the uterus. Brachytherapy uses radioactive sources as Iridium 192, Cs 137 or Cobalt 60 to deliver radiation using an internal device placed inside the vagina. It has minimal side effects which can be managed easily.
Chemotherapy is also one of the options for dealing with different forms of cancer. The therapy involves the injection of drugs into the vein to lower the symptoms of the disease. The treatment is usually used either before or along with radiation depending on stage of cancer. In advanced cases, only chemotherapy is used to treat the disease. The side effects of treatment are manageable.
Targeted therapy- In some cases, targeted therapies may be used to target certain abnormalities in cancer cells specifically. These treatments work by interfering with specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.
Conclusion
Uterine cancer is gynaecological cancer involving cancerous cells found in the uterus of a female. The medical condition can happen due to ongoing multiple health issues or a family history of the disease. After proper history taking and physical examination, the patient is properly investigated using radiological tests as ultrasound whole abdomen, CT scan whole abdomen with contrast, MRI whole abdomen with contrast or whole body Pet CT scan with contrast to understand the extent of disease. Histopathological confirmation is a must to confirm the cancer and to understand its subtype and aggressiveness. Now a days, molecular tests on biopsy sample are incorporated to decide the correct treatment for the patient. Proper and appropriate treatment on time can help in relieving symptoms and eliminate cancer. Routine follow ups during and after treatments are recommended to detect recurrence of the cancer early. Psychological counselling and after treatment advice are also very important to maintain quality of life of the patient.
FAQ’s
Q. What is Uterine Cancer?
A. Cancerous cells damaging the uterus of a female leading to multiple gynaecological issues, are termed Uterine Cancer.
Q. What are the risk factors for Uterine Cancer?
A. Obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, unbalanced triglyceride levels, and high blood pressure are some risk factors for Uterine Cancer.
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