Endometrial cancer begins in the uterus. It occurs in the layers of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Furthermore, it’s known as uterine cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research 2018 report, endometrial cancer is the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women. Globally, it is the 15th most commonly occurring cancer overall. In 2018, over 380,000 new endometrial cancer cases were diagnosed. In India, the total number of estimated cases of endometrial cancer in 2018 was 13,328, with 5010 deaths. 2.3 out of 100,000 women is the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) of endometrial cancer in India as per the Consensus Document for Management of Uterine Cancer 2019 report.
Endometrial cancer is commonly detected at a young age because it frequently causes irregular vaginal bleeding. Other types of uterine cancers, such as uterine sarcoma, are significantly less common than endometrial cancer. However, it is becoming more common in India due to changing patterns in women’s reproductive profiles and lifestyles (particularly in metropolitan regions). The symptoms of endometrial cancer are as follows:
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding between periods
Many factors can be attributed to the escalation of endometrial cancer in the human body. Let’s get to know some of them in detail:
- Obesity – Excess body fat can modify the body’s balance of hormones. Thus, obesity can amplify the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Changes in the female hormonal balance – The risk of endometrial cancer can intensify in the female body by a disease or condition giving rise to estrogen, but not the progesterone level.
- Older age – Endometrial cancer can occur after menopause, as you reach an older age.
- More years of menstruation – Beginning menopause or getting periods at a very early age can increase cancer risk.
For patients who have endometrial cancer, different types of treatments are available.
- Surgery
The most common treatments for endometrial cancer include Endometrial cancer surgery procedures such as Total Hysterectomy, Radical Hysterectomy, Lymph node dissection, and Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
- Chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is used to stop the growth of cancer cells by either stopping the cells from dividing or killing them. It is of two types: Systematic and Regional chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment used to keep cancer cells from growing or killing them using high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation. For example, external radiation therapy and Internal Radiation therapy (two types of radiation therapy) can be used to treat endometrial cancer.
- Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is used to detect and attack particular cancer cells. This procedure uses drugs or other substances and causes less harm to normal cells than radiation therapy, or chemotherapy does. The three kinds of Targeted therapy to cure endometrial cancer are signal transduction inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and Monoclonal antibodies.
- Hormone therapy
This cancer treatment blocks the action of hormones or removes them. Created by glands in the human body, hormones are substances that circulate in the bloodstream. Some of these hormones can be attributed to certain cancers. Radiation therapy, drugs, or surgery is used to minimise the production of hormones or block them from growing in cases where tests show that the cancer cells have places where hormones can attach (receptors). Hormone therapy is also used for menopause treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, consult with a reputed oncologist or specialist at SeekMed. You can ask for consultation or diagnosis services by searching for “oncologist near me” or “best oncologist in India“ on the web.