Cancer of the Uterus

Alternate Names : Uterine Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Cancer of the Endometrium

What are the treatments for the disease?

Cancer of the uterus is treated by removing the uterus in a procedure called an abdominal hysterectomy. Doing this surgery through the abdomen rather than the vagina is recommended. It allows the surgeon to see the entire pelvis and abdomen and to note any spread of the cancer. He or she can also take samples of cells from the abdominal cavity to check for any tiny floating cancer cells. The surgeon will also remove lymph nodes from the pelvic area to be sure that the cancer has not spread.

Sometimes a surgeon will remove the uterus through the vagina and then remove the lymph nodes through a small cut in the abdomen. This avoids leaving a large scar on the abdomen and shortens the hospital stay. Not all women are candidates for this procedure.

Because tumor cells may have spread to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, these organs are usually removed also. For women with advanced disease, the preferred treatment is surgery. If the surgeon finds that the cancer has not spread, there may be no further treatment. Women who are at a higher risk of the cancer coming back may have radiation treatments to the pelvis. Or they may have chemotherapy. Because this cancer comes from a tissue that is sensitive to hormones, treatment with hormones may also be effective.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

After having a hysterectomy, a woman may experience the following:

Radiation therapy will usually produce some hair loss. Chemotherapy is often associated with nausea, vomiting, and anemia, or a low red blood cell count.

What happens after treatment for the disease?

A woman who has been treated for cancer of the uterus should try to take these steps:

If a woman tries herbal remedies or alternative medicines for her symptoms, she should tell her healthcare provider. Sometimes toxic reactions can occur when certain therapies are combined.

How is the disease monitored?

At least every 3 to 4 months after treatment, a woman should have a follow-up, including:

Depending on the stage of the cancer, other tests made be used, such as the following:

A woman should report any new or worsening symptoms that might suggest that the cancer is coming back. She can then be treated quickly, if necessary.

Following are some of the signs of recurrent endometrial cancer: