When cancer occurs in the uterus, it is called uterine cancer. The uterus is where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The most common type of uterine cancer is also called endometrial cancer because it forms in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium.
Other gynaecological conditions and cancers can also cause unusual vaginal bleeding. It is important that you do not ignore any symptom and meet us at the earliest.
If you have symptoms or you are at high risk for uterine cancer, you may be recommended an endometrial biopsy or a transvaginal ultrasound used to help diagnose or rule out uterine cancer.
Hysteroscopy or Dilatation and curettage (D&C) If the TVS/TAS detects changes in the thickness of the lining of the uterus, biopsy from the endometrium is taken using a telescope to visualize the uterine cavity and perform biopsy.
In some cases, a hysteroscopy along with D&C may be offered. D&C is a minor surgical procedure carried out under general anesthesia, to perform endometrial biopsy.
If the laboratory results confirm uterine cancer, one or more additional tests may be suggested to check the spread of cancer.
The cancer is found in the uterus only.
The cancer is in the endometrium (inner lining) only or less than halfway through the myometrium
The cancer has spread halfway or more through the myometrium.
The cancer has spread into the cervix, but has not spread outside the uterus.
The cancer has spread beyond the uterus and cervix, but has not spread beyond the pelvis.
The cancer has spread to the outer layer of the uterus and/or to the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The cancer has spread to the vagina and/or to the connective tissue and fat surrounding the uterus.The cancer has spread into the cervix, but has not spread outside the uterus.
The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the pelvis and/or around the aorta (large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart).
The cancer has spread beyond the pelvis.
The cancer has spread to the bladder or intestines, but it has not spread to other parts of the body.
The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Uterine cancer may be diagnosed, staged, and treated during the same surgery. During surgery, the doctor removes as much of the cancer as possible. The following procedures may be used to treat uterine cancer:
Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer. It can either be external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or internal radiation (vaginal vault brachytherapy)
Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy removes hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances made by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream.
Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on improving how one feels during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs.
