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Endometrial cancer (corpus and not otherwise specified uterine cancer) is both the most common type of uterine cancer and the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, accounting for approximately 6 percent of all cancers in women.
Endometrial carcinomas originate from cells in the glands of the endometrium (uterine lining). These include the common and readily treatable endometrioid adenocarcinoma, as well as the more aggressive uterine papillary serous carcinoma and uterine clear-cell carcinoma.
Endometrial stromal sarcomas originate from the connective tissues of the endometrium, and are far less common than endometrial carcinomas
Malignant mixed müllerian tumors are rare endometrial tumors which show both glandular (carcinomatous) and stromal (sarcomatous) differentiation - their true cell of origin is unknown.
According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2007,
Endometrial Cancer is the most common type of
gynecologic cancer closely followed by Ovarian Cancer.
In the United States, approximately 39,080 (2006 estimated cases 41,000) cases
will be diagnosed this year and nearly 7,400 (2006 estimated cases 7,350) women die from the disease this year.
Because the annual pap test is not an accurate test for this type of cancer women need to be their own advocate. A simple transvaginal ultrasound can alert your physician to any abnormal occurances in the uterine lining. I strongly urge you to pursue this even if you have to pay for it as most insurance company do not cover this type of test annually. Peace of mind is a small price to pay compared to the alternative. Know your body and alert your physican when something isn't right. I was lucky enough to have symptoms and my cancer was caught very early, however I wasn't prepared to have a totaly hysterectomy at age 36.~ Shannon
* Recently, a new method of testing has been introduced called the TruTest, offered through Gynecor. It uses the small flexible Tao Brush to brush the entire lining of the uterus. This method is less painful than a pipelle biopsy and has a larger likelihood of procuring enough tissue for testing. Since it is simpler and less invasive, the TruTest can be performed as often, and at the same time as, a routine Pap smear, thus allowing for early detection and treatment.
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Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of uterine cancer is unknown. Chronic exposure to estrogen (female hormone produced by the ovaries) increases the risk for developing the disease and estrogen often affects tumor growth. The following factors increase estrogen exposure:
* Beginning menstruation before age 12
* Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen only (without progesterone)
* Late menopause (after age 52)
* Presence of an estrogen-secreting tumor (e.g., some types of breast cancer)
* Never given birth |
The items listed below can increase the risk the chances of developing cancer of the uterus.
* Age (more common after age 50 but does affect women under 50)
* Diabetes
* Family history of uterine cancer
* Gall bladder disease
* High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
* History of infertility
* Obesity
* Personal history of breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer
* PCOS-Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
* Prior pelvic radiation therapy
* Race (endometrial cancer is more common in Caucasian women while uterine sarcoma is more common in African American women)
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Symptoms
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While many women don't have any symptoms until cancer is already in the end stages (or no sypmtoms at all), some women will have one or more of the symptoms below:
* Abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods
* Bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women
* Vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women
in women older than 40: extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding (may indicate premalignant changes)
* Anemia, caused by chronic loss of blood. (This may occur if the woman has ignored symptoms of prolonged or frequent abnormal menstrual bleeding.)
* Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping
* Thin white or clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women.
Increased risk of developing endometrial cancer has been noted in women with increased levels of natural estrogen.
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Two Major Women's Health Groups Call Attention
to a Leading Reproductive Cancer
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