Introduction of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer, affecting the uterine lining, is on the rise in India, emphasizing the critical need for timely detection. Typically addressed through surgery, this involves the potential removal of the uterus and surrounding tissues.
Early diagnosis, facilitated by ultrasound and endometrial biopsy, is paramount. Cancer progresses through four stages, yet awareness among Indian women remains comparatively low, contributing to a lack of understanding regarding available treatments.
Routine gynecological checkups are not a common practice among most Indian women, underscoring the urgency of widespread education. Bridging this awareness gap is critical for both impacted persons and their families.
By fostering understanding and encouraging regular screenings, we can empower women to take proactive measures against endometrial cancer, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing its impact in India.
Understanding Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer also referred to as uterine cancer, develops in the uterus. In women, the uterus is the concave, pear-shaped pelvic organ where the fetus grows.
Typically, it presents as adenocarcinoma, with other forms like uterine sarcoma being less prevalent. Early detection is common due to recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, leading women to seek medical attention.
Consequently, surgical removal of the uterus becomes a curative approach to addressing the cancer. The uterus, a pelvic organ with a concave, pear-shaped structure, serves as the site where fetal development occurs in women.
Endometrial cancer symptoms typically manifest in the early stages, with variations based on age. Irregular bleeding is a typical early indication in menstrual women, prompting a consultation with a gynecologist to discover the cause.
Increased bleeding between cycles is another symptom often overlooked until the situation becomes unbearable. Women aged 40 to 45, exhibiting such symptoms, sometimes confide in friends and family instead of seeking medical attention, posing significant risks. Postmenopausal women may also experience bleeding. Lifestyle factors such as diet changes, rural-urban shifts, and health issues like diabetes and obesity contribute to its development. Timely diagnosis through consultation with a gynecologist is crucial for effective management.
Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
- Pelvic Pain: If you are experiencing pain in the pelvic area along with irregular bleeding and discharge, then understand that the problem is quite big. This happens due to the growth of the tumor and it means that cancer has grown in the uterus.
- Frequent Urination: Endometrial cancer may also cause changes in your urination habits. Your bladder directs problems related to the uterus.
- Vaginal Bleeding: If you have sudden bleeding apart from periods or your period cycle is changing or you are bleeding even after menopause, then all these are symptoms of endometrial cancer.
- Sudden Weight Loss: Unwanted sudden weight loss is also a sign of endometrial cancer. However, this happens in very few cases. If you are experiencing this symptom then you may have been struggling with this problem for a long time. You can know what other reasons could be behind sudden weight loss by clicking here.
- Irregular Discharge: Apart from blood, if there is any kind of liquid discharge from your vagina, then do not ignore it considering it as normal. If any discharge occurs that has never happened before, go to the doctor immediately because it is an early symptom of endometrial cancer. 10% of patients suffering from endometrial cancer have admitted to having such discharge.
- Pain During Sex: If you are having a lot of pain during sex, especially after menopause, then do not ignore it, this is also an early symptom of endometrial cancer.
Causes of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer has no recognized etiology. What is known is that something converts the cells in the uterine lining into cancer cells.
Endometrial cancer develops when cells in the uterine lining, known as the endometrium, have DNA alterations. The DNA of a cell contains the instructions that inform the cell what to do. The modifications instruct the cells to proliferate rapidly.
The alterations also instruct the cells to keep alive when healthy cells would normally perish as part of their natural life cycle.
This results in a large number of additional cells. The cells might combine to create a growth known as a tumor. The cells have the ability to penetrate and destroy healthy biological tissue. Cells can break away and spread to other places of the body over time.
Endometrial Cancer Staging
Endometrial cancer staging is a systematic way of categorizing the extent and spread of the disease, providing valuable information for treatment planning and prognosis.
The staging system commonly used for endometrial cancer is the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging system:
Stage I:
Cancer is confined to the uterus.
- IA: Limited to the endometrium.
- IB: Involves less than half of the myometrium.
Stage II:
Cancer extends beyond the uterus but remains within the pelvic area.
- IIA: Involves more than half of the myometrium.
Stage III:
Cancer has spread beyond the uterus and pelvic area but is still within the abdominal cavity.
- IIIA: Involvement of the serosa (outer layer of the uterus) and/or adnexa (fallopian tubes and ovaries).
- IIIB: Vaginal or parametrial involvement.
Stage IV:
Cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.
- IVA: Invasion of the bladder or bowel.
- IVB: Distant metastasis, such as to the lungs or distant lymph nodes.
Staging is determined through a combination of clinical examination, imaging studies, and surgical findings. The higher the stage, the more extensive the cancer’s spread. Treatment decisions, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are often based on the identified stage.
Regular monitoring and reassessment may occur during and after treatment to track the cancer’s response. When compared to advanced-stage illness, early-stage endometrial cancer has a better prognosis.
Treatment for endometrial cancer
Treatment for endometrial cancer is determined based on factors like stage, overall health, and patient preferences. Recommendations may include one or a combination of the following methods:
Radiation:
- Utilizes powerful energy beams to eradicate cancer cells.
- May be recommended post-surgery to minimize recurrence risk or pre-surgery to shrink tumors.
- External beam radiation directs energy at specific body points, while brachytherapy involves placing radiation-filled devices internally.
Hormone Therapy:
- Involves medications influencing hormone levels.
- Options for advanced endometrial cancer include drugs to boost progesterone or reduce estrogen.
Chemotherapy:
- Uses chemicals to eliminate cancer cells.
- Suggested for advanced or recurrent cases that have spread beyond the uterus.
Surgery:
- The most common is a hysterectomy, removing the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy).
- A crucial step in determining the cancer stage involves inspecting adjacent areas and testing removed lymph nodes.
Ultimately, the chosen treatment depends on the specific circumstances, emphasizing a personalized approach to address endometrial cancer effectively.
What Is The Uterine Cancer Prevalence?
Endometrial cancer is the most common reproductive system cancer in women and people who were designated female at birth (AFAB) in the United States. Its most common incidence is postmenopausal. Uterine cancer affects around 3% of women and AFAB persons at some point in their life. This diagnosis is given to around 65,000 persons each year.
Conclusion
Endometrial cancer, a growing concern in India, underscores the crucial importance of timely detection. Surgical intervention remains a primary treatment, necessitating the potential removal of the uterus.
Early diagnosis, facilitated by screenings, is imperative. Unfortunately, awareness among Indian women is lacking, emphasizing the need for widespread education and routine gynecological checkups.
Symptoms, often overlooked, range from irregular bleeding to pelvic pain. Lifestyle factors and health conditions, including obesity and diabetes, contribute to the cancer’s development. Understanding these risk factors is vital for preventive measures.
Staging provides a systematic approach to categorizing endometrial cancer’s extent and guides treatment decisions.
While the prognosis is better in the early stages, effective treatment options include radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. A personalized approach based on individual circumstances is key.
As endometrial cancer prevalence rises, fostering awareness and encouraging proactive measures are essential to reduce its impact on women’s health.
