Endometrial cancer is the cancer of the lining of the uterus. The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding from your vagina, especially bleeding after menopause or between your periods. Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer found in women after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. It is more common in women who are older, wealthy, overweight and of low parity.
SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse .
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Bleeding between periods in pre-menopausal women.
- Difficult or Pain during urination.
- Dyspareunia or Pain during intercourse.
- Pelvic pain
DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
Endometrial cancer can be diagnosed by:-
- Endometrial biopsy and
- Dilatation and curettage (D & C) of the uterus .
Dilatation and curettage (D & C) of the uterus : - Patient is given either local anesthesia or general anesthesia for a D & C. Dilatation and curettage (D & C) of the uterus involves dilating the cervix and then scraping or suctioning out the entire lining of the uterus. This entire lining is send to the lab for testing. D & is also very helpful for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding since it removes the tissue that may be causing problems. After the process of Dilatation and curettage (D & C) of the uterus patient may bleed for a short while and may have cramps too. Common precautions which have to be taken after D & C are that the patient should not have sex for some time and should stop the use of tampons.
TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
- Radiation therapy:- .In radiation therapy radioactive pellets are placed inside the body near the tumor. This is also termed as internal radiation therapy. Usually women who have radiation therapy complain of Fatigue, upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea.
- Hysterectomy - removal of the uterus is called Hysterectomy. Woman can never have children after the removal of uterus.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: - In most sever cases bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is performed in which both ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the uterus are removed. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be necessary when endometrial cancer spreads to the ovaries first.
- Chemotherapy : - In Chemotherapy anticancer drugs are given orally or intravenously to kill the cancer cells. These drugs enter the bloodstream and can pass through all parts of the body and kill cancer cells. Vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, Stomach upset mouth or vaginal sores, weakness, change in menstrual cycle and premature menopause are the common side effects of Chemotherapy.
- Hormonal therapy: - Usually women with advanced or recurrent disease are treated with Hormonal therapy. Drugs like progesterone may reduce the development of endometrial cells. They are in the form of pills and are used in hormonal therapy
