Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer that originates in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This type of cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer, accounting for up to 92 percent of all cases.
Each month during a woman’s menstrual cycle, the endometrial lining grows to support a possible pregnancy. When pregnancy does not occur, the lining sheds. Endometrial cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in that lining.
Most cases of endometrial cancer are endometrioid adenocarcinoma cancer.. There are other types of cells in endometrial cancers, such as serous endometrial carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, mixed carcinoma, and undifferentiated/dedifferentiated carcinoma.
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is often detected in its early stage, before it has spread. This makes the condition quite treatable, with a five-year survival rate of up to 95 percent in stage I.
Any woman is at risk of developing endometrial cancer as long as she has a uterus. Certain factors can increase the risk:
- Being of older age
- Having a family history of endometrial or colorectal cancer
- Having certain genetic mutations such as Lynch
- Having endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, where parts of the endometrium grow excessively
- Having had difficulty conceiving
- Having PCOS or diabetes
- Receiving radiation therapy to the pelvis
- Taking estrogen as a standalone medication, without progesterone
- Taking tamoxifen, a medication used to prevent or treat breast cancer
There are also certain factors that can decrease a woman’s risk. Taking oral contraceptives or using an intrauterine device (IUD), for example, are associated with a decreased risk of certain type of endometrial cancer.
The most common sign of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding. This includes anything that’s out of the norm for you, including unusually heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding or bleeding between menstrual periods. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause is also a red flag for endometrial cancer.
Other endometrial cancer symptoms include:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain and cramping
- Bloating
- Changes in bathroom habits
- Pain during intercourse
If you’re experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, your OB/GYN may use multiple tests to determine a diagnosis:
- Pelvic examination
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Endometrial biopsy to take a sample of the tissue in the uterine lining
- Dilatation and curettage (D&C) to remove tissue samples from the uterus
- Hysteroscopy of the uterus
- Imaging, such as CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans
After an endometrial cancer diagnosis, biomarker testing may be used to determine what type of treatment will be most effective.
Endometrial Cancer Treatment at NGMC
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, your care team, including a gynecologic oncologist, will recommend a treatment plan for your specific needs. Your treatment plan will vary based on several factors, including the stage of cancer you have and whether you plan to have children in the future.
Surgery for endometrial cancer
Surgery is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. There are several surgical procedures used to treat endometrial cancer:
- Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and the cervix.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes
- Lymph node biopsy is the removal of nearby lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. We perform sentinel lymph nodes biopsy at NGMC, which minimizes any potential complication and has high accuracy detecting cancer spread in lymph nodes.
Patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer at NGMC have access to minimally invasive procedures, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. This offers our patients a quicker recovery, less pain and reduced bleeding
Radiation therapy for endometrial cancer
Radiation therapy may also be used to treat endometrial cancer as part of endometrial cancer treatment either before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to fully get rid of the cancer cells.
During external radiation therapy, high-energy X-rays are targeted toward pelvis to kill off cancer cells. During internal radiation therapy, a probe for radioactive substances, are placed into or near the cancer.
Chemotherapy for endometrial cancer
Chemotherapy is often used to treat advanced endometrial cancer or cancer that has recurred. This type of treatment uses powerful drugs to kill off cancer cells. These drugs may be taken by mouth or injected into the body intravenously.
Targeted therapy for endometrial cancer
This type of treatment works similarly to chemotherapy by using drugs to treat endometrial cancer. The difference is that targeted therapy uses drugs that have been formulated to target specific biomarker or tumor characteristics of endometrial cancer cells. When introduced into the body, these drugs kill off cancer cells while minimizing the effects on normal cells.
Hormone therapy for endometrial cancer
Hormone therapy may also be an option for endometrial cancer treatment, certain hormones feed or spur the growth of cancer cells. This treatment works by removing hormones or by stopping them from acting, which stops the growth of cancer cells. This hormonal therapy often used in women who desires fertility preservation after their cancer diagnosis. This hormonal therapy could be used in selected patient who has low grade endometrial cancer who appear to have early stage.
Endometrial cancer research
Effective care for endometrial cancer goes beyond simply diagnosing and treating cancer. At NGMC, we’re committed to providing our patients with access to advanced treatment options through clinical trials. Learn more about the current clinical trials we are participating in.
Cancer rehabilitation
Treatment for endometrial cancer can lead to a number of uncomfortable side effects, such as vaginal soreness, incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction. At NGMC all cancer patients have access to specialized rehabilitation services designed to meet the unique needs of those undergoing cancer treatment.
Patient navigation
Undergoing cancer treatment can feel like a never-ending to-do list. That’s why we have a team of nurse navigators to help walk you through the entire process, from diagnosis to survivorship and beyond. Reach out to our patient navigation program today to connect with a navigator.
Choose NGMC for Endometrial Cancer Care
Thousands of women in Georgia are diagnosed with endometrial cancer each year. The good news is that most cases of endometrial cancer are found in early stages, when they’re most treatable. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you can rely on NGMC to provide you with the care you need. Our team of cancer care experts is here to offer the latest and most advanced treatment options for endometrial cancer, along with the support and resources you need.
For more information about cancer care at NGMC or to learn about support groups, please call 770-219-9380.