Today, uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The appearance of a malignant tumor causes the pathological growth of endometrial cells - the thin inner layer of the uterine wall, which is responsible for creating optimal conditions for carrying a fetus during pregnancy. A cancerous tumor can affect the muscle layer and nearby organs, and mutated cells can spread throughout the body with the flow of blood and lymph, causing the appearance of metastases.
Women who have entered the post-menopausal period (from 50 to 75 years) are most often affected by cancer of the endometrium, or the body of the uterus, but a small percentage of cases occur in women of an earlier age. Timely consultation with a doctor and the use of modern diagnostic tools make it possible to identify uterine cancer at an early stage and carry out the necessary treatment.
Uterine cancer: causes
The main risk factors for the appearance of a malignant tumor of the uterus are:
- hormonal imbalance caused by a natural decrease in the level of progesterone production in the climacteric period, the use of hormone therapy with the use of estrogens or the uncontrolled use of oral contraceptives;
- absence in the anamnesis of pregnancy and childbirth, earlier (before the age of 12) onset of menstruation or late menopause (after 55 years and at a later age);
- diabetes and inflammatory diseases of the genital organs: endometrial hyperplasia, ovarian cysts, ulcers, erosions, polyps;
- use of medicines, in particular, tamoxifen;
- morbid fullness: the presence of adipose tissue contributes to the additional production of estrogen by the body;
- hereditary predisposition: uterine endometrial cancer, Lynch syndrome in the mother or close relatives.
Endometrial cancer: stages of the disease
- I stage: the formation of mutated cells on the surface of the endometrium with gradual germination into the thickness of the mucous membrane;
- II stage - it is distinguished by the fact that the cancer invades not only the body, but also the cervix;
- III stage: cancer cells spread to adjacent organs - vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries;
- IV stage, during which the tumor invades the bladder and intestines, metastases penetrate beyond the pelvic area and affect the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.
The most effective treatment is endometrial cancer at the I-II stage of the disease development, the prognosis is less favorable for uterine body cancer of the III and IV stages.
Uterine cancer: main symptoms
Symptoms of uterine cancer and the reason for seeking medical advice are:
- abnormal uterine bleeding - it can be both very heavy menstrual and intermenstrual bleeding in young women, and the appearance of even small blood discharges, especially with mucus impurities, in older women;
- characteristic pains in the lower abdomen, which can spread to the entire pelvic region and the back;
- unpleasant sensations during urination, itching and irritation of the vagina caused by secretions;
- weakness, fatigue, worsening of the general condition of the body - this symptom of uterine cancer appears in the last stages of the disease.
Uterine cancer: diagnostic methods
If uterine cancer is suspected and the first signs of a tumor appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. A standard examination plan includes:
- collection of anamnesis data and a gynecological examination of the patient - they will help determine whether a woman belongs to the risk zone, as well as the presence of changes in the size and shape of the uterus;
- testing for endometrial cancer using ultrasound, as well as ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
- conducting a biopsy to obtain particles of mucous tissues and further histological examination. The most effective is the hysteroscopy method, which allows for diagnostic scraping, as well as a detailed examination of the uterine cavity.
If atypical cells are detected, an additional examination is performed:
- MRI of pelvic organs;
- X-ray of the chest;
- computed tomography of the abdominal cavity.
A comprehensive approach to the examination allows not only to determine the presence of a tumor, but also to accurately determine the stage of endometrial cancer, choosing the most successful treatment method.
Uterine cancer treatment
To combat the tumor, surgical intervention, radiation and chemotherapy, hormone treatment, or a combined method are used. The strategy is developed by specialist doctors taking into account the stage of the disease, individual indications and the general condition of the patient. In each individual case, the doctor can choose:
- surgical treatment, which includes hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus for cancer, as well as the tubes and ovaries that are affected first. This method gives a high percentage of treatment in stages I - II;
- radiation therapy - it is indicated in the later stages of the spread of uterine cancer and is used after surgery to prevent recurrence. Such therapy is carried out by external and intracavitary methods, or brachytherapy. The last method allows applying the maximum dose of radiation in a much shorter period of time;
- chemotherapy - it is used both as a postoperative treatment and independently;
- drug or hormonal therapy - treatment of uterine cancer without surgery to remove organs is usually prescribed to young women in the initial stages of the disease, and the use of drugs and hormones can suppress the growth of cancer cells.
If endometrial cancer is suspected and symptoms appear, you can undergo a full examination by highly qualified doctors of the "Dobrobut" medical center in Kyiv. The clinic offers a full range of services, including diagnostics, laboratory tests and effective treatment using modern methods and equipment. Appointments for consultations are made by calling the contact center 24 hours a day.
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