Endometrial Cancer
Overview
What is the Endometrial Cancer?
Endometrial cancer, which is also sometimes known as uterine cancer, happens when the cells present in the endometrial wall of the uterus begin to divide and grow abnormally.
Endometrial cancer is one of the few cancers that can be detected in the early stages as it causes abnormal vaginal bleeding that will demand immediate medical attention. Obesity is found to be one of the biggest risk factors for endometrial cancer.
Causes of Endometrial cancer?
Although there are no known causes that are associated with endometrial cancer, researchers have identified a few risk factors that increase the risk of endometrial cancer. The key risk factors for endometrial cancers include:
Obesity: Excess fatty tissue contributes to increased estrogen levels, and this translates to an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Age: The risk of developing endometrial cancer is found to be high among women aged 50 and above.
Risk Factores
The major risk factor for endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the presence of a clinical scenario associated with an excess of endogenous or exogenous estrogen without adequate opposition by a progestin. Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer) is a genetic risk factor; the pathogenesis in these cases is a germline mutation in one of the DNA mismatch repair genes.
This topic will discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention of EC. Related topics are reviewed separately, including the following:
●Histopathology, genomic subtypes, and pathogenesis (see “Endometrial cancer: Pathology and classification”)
●Clinical features, diagnosis, and screening for high-risk patients (see “Endometrial carcinoma: Clinical features, diagnosis, prognosis, and screening”)
Diagnosis
There are multiple diagnostic tests available for the detection and diagnosis of endometrial cancer.
a. Physical Examination and Medical History Assessment: When a patient comes with symptoms of endometrial cancer, the doctor will physically examine the patient’s pelvic region for the signs of the disease, such as lumps and other abnormalities.
b. Endometrial Biopsy: During an endometrial biopsy, a small amount of endometrial tissue is collected by inserting a slender and flexible tube into the uterus.
Treatment
Treatment planning for endometrial cancer is devised upon considering multiple factors, such as the stage of the disease, exact location of the tumor, its size, the patient’s age and her overall health condition along with the patient’s preferences.
