Endometrial Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions
How is endometrial cancer diagnosed?
A thin straw is inserted into the uterus to obtain a small amount of tissue for diagnosis. This is called an endometrial biopsy, and is most often done in a doctor’s office. Sometimes further tissue is needed for diagnosis, and a dilatation and curettage is performed under anesthesia.
Source: www.wccos.com
Endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed with an endometrial biopsy . A biopsy removes a small sample of the lining of the uterus for examination under a microscope. Your doctor will determine the stage of your endometrial cancer (how far advanced it is) by gathering information from findings in surgery. The stage of your cancer is one of the most important factors in selecting the treatment option that is right for you
Source: www.svcmc.org
What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?
Many women have post-menopausal bleeding. Others may have perimenopausal intermenstrual bleeding episodes or have significant changes to their menstrual cycle, usually excessive bleeding. Women with any of these risk factors should be especially alert to any abnormal bleeding.
Source: www.wccos.com
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding that occurs around or after menopause. Other symptoms include, Abnormal vaginal discharge, Pelvic pain, Painful or difficult urination, Pain during intercourse, Unusual weight loss and Pelvic mass.
Source: www.medindia.net
How is endometrial cancer treated?
The treatment is chosen according to the category of cancer and the stage of the disease- your age, your overall state of health, whether you plan to have children, and other personal considerations. There are four basic types of treatment for women with endometrial cancer - surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.
Source: www.medindia.net
The choice of treatment depends largely on the type of cancer and stage of the disease at discovery. Other factors might play a part in choosing the best treatment plan. These might include your age, your overall state of health, whether you plan to have children, and other personal considerations. Be sure you understand all the risks and side effects of the various therapies before making a decision about treatment. ...
Source: www.jamesgynonc.com
The choice of treatment depends largely on the type of cancer and stage of the disease at discovery. Other factors might play a part in choosing the best treatment plan. These might include your age, your overall state of health, whether you plan to have children, and other personal considerations. Be sure you understand all the risks and side effects of the various therapies before making a decision about treatment. ...
Source: www.jamesline.com
What kinds of treatment are available for endometrial cancer?
Most often, surgery is recommended to remove the uterus, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Sometimes, lymph nodes are removed at the time of the surgery. In addition, radiation, chemotherapy and possibly hormone treatment may be utilized.
Source: www.wccos.com
What are the risk factors for endometrial cancer?
Risk factors include obesity, nulliparity (never having been pregnant), diabetes, Tamoxifen use, taking estrogen replacement without progesterone, anovulation (menstrual cycles without ovulation) and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Women with these factors have been exposed to either excessive levels of estrogen exposure or to unopposed estrogen.
Source: www.wccos.com
The most important risk of endometrial cancer is concerned with the alterations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are the key hormones produced in females.. Other risk factors are early menarche, late menopause, No children, Failure to ovulate and Obesity.
Source: www.medindia.net
A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. The ovaries normally produce two main types of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone. The balance between these two hormones changes each month, producing a woman's monthly periods and helping to keep the endometrium healthy. When the balance of these two hormones shifts toward relatively more estrogen, a woman's risk for developing endometrial cancer increases. ...
Source: www.jamesline.com
How are women checked for endometrial cancer?
Currently, there is no standard screening test for endometrial cancer. In fact, routine screening is not recommended due to the lack of an appropriate, cost-effective and acceptable test that reduces mortality. The Tao brush™ was initially proposed by Dr. Tao as a remedy to this situation. Systematic surgical staging, surgery, radiation therapy, progestin therapy or chemotherapy have all played a role in patient treatment for this disease.
Source: www.gynecor.com
What is the relationship between estrogen and endometrial cancer?
Estrogen And Citrus Recently, I heard you comment on the radio about taking estrogen (Premarin) with citrus juice. Please tell me the point of those comments. Excessive Yawning
Source: www.drdonnica.com
(Frequently Asked Question) Estrogen And Citrus Recently, I heard you comment on the radio about taking estrogen (Premarin) with citrus juice. Please tell me the point of those comments. (Frequently Asked Question) Evaluating Media Medical Information
Source: www.drdonnica.com
Is endometriosis the same as endometrial cancer?
Endometriosis is not the same as endometrial cancer. Remember that the word endometrium describes the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the inside of the uterus. Endometriosis itself is not a form of cancer.
Source: www.inciid.org
Where are the Risk factors for Endometrial Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. The ovaries normally produce two main types of female hormones-estrogen and progesterone. The balance between these two hormones changes each month, producing a woman's monthly periods and helping to keep the endometrium healthy. When the balance of these two hormones shifts toward relatively more estrogen, a woman's risk for developing Endometrial cancer increases. ...
Source: www.jamesgynonc.com
Why should women be concerned about endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is the most common female genital tract malignancy and more than 42,000 cases are diagnosed each year. One in 142 women will be diagnosed with cancer of the cervix uteri during their lifetime. Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common in women (behind lung, breast and colon) and an estimated 7,400 deaths are expected in 2007 (twice as many as cervical cancer).
Source: www.gynecor.com
What are common findings that are associated with endometrial cancer?
Excessive estrogen that is unopposed by a progestin has historically been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Interestingly, women taking combination birth control pills (estrogen + progestin) or those with intrauterine contraceptive devices (whether they contain a progestin or not) have a lower risk for endometrial cancer. ...
Source: www.gynecor.com
What is cancer of the uterus or endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the uterus (womb). It is very common and very treatable. This type of cancer usually presents itself as bleeding in a post menopausal woman. Once you are diagnosed with endometrial cancer, the next step is usually a surgery called a hysterectomy. Surgery is often all that is required, but some patients need further treatment. We will refer you to The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre where you will meet the Radiation Oncologists after your surgery. ...
Source: www.ottawahospital.on.ca
Can anything be done to prevent endometrial cancer?
Since the exact cause of endometrial cancer is still unclear, prevention may still be a distant dream, however certain precautionary steps can be taken to reduce the risk. These include maintenance of ideal weight, annual pelvic exams, endometrial biopsy at menopause for women at high risk, use of combination oral contraceptives, controlling obesity and diabetes, taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone and obtaining proper treatment for any precancerous disorders ...
Source: www.medindia.net
What can be done to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer?
The primary way to reduce the risks of cancer is to have regular menses one way or another. Whether it be through the use of oral contraceptive, progesterone or progestins for period induction, or otherwise regulating hormone levels so that one doesn't go longer than a couple of months without shedding the uterine lining. There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, but one can minimize the risk.
Source: www.inciid.org
Can endometrial cancer be found early?
In most cases, being alert to any signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer and discussing them promptly with your healthcare provider permits diagnosis at an early stage. Unfortunately, some endometrial cancers may reach an advanced stage before recognizable signs and symptoms are present. Early detection improves the chances that your endometrial cancer will be treated successfully. ...
Source: www.jamesline.com
In most cases, being alert to any signs and symptom of Endometrial caner and discussing them promptly with you health care provider permits diagnosis at an early stage. Unfortunately, some Endometrial cancers may reach and advanced stage before recognizable signs and symptoms are present. Early detection improves the chances that your Endometrial cancer will be treated successfully. ...
Source: www.jamesgynonc.com
What are the key statistics about Endometrial cancer?
In the United States, cancer of the endometrium is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. The American Cancer Society estimates that 37,400 new cases of Endometrial cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. It is estimated that about 6,400 women in the United States will die from Endometrial cancer each year. The 5 year relative survival rate is 84% when all cases of Endometrial cancer are considered together. ...
Source: www.jamesgynonc.com
Do we know what causes endometrial cancer?
We do not know what causes most cases of endometrial cancer, but we do know what certain risk factors are. A great deal of research is under way to learn more about the disease. Most known risk factors affect the balance between estrogen and progesterone in the body. Scientists have recently learned much about changes in the DNA of certain genes that occur when normal endometrial cells become cancerous.
Source: www.jamesline.com
We do not yet know exactly what causes most cases of Endometrial cancer, but we do know what certain risk factors are. A great deal of research is underway to learn more about the disease. Most known risk factors affect the balance between estrogen and progesterone in the body. Scientist have recently learned much about changes in the DNA of certain genes that occur when normal Endometrial cells become cancerous.
Source: www.jamesgynonc.com
What is the association of combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and endometrial cancer?
The combined OCP decreases the risk of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is associated with endogenous or exogenous exposure to unopposed estrogen. The use of combined oral contraceptive products reduces the proliferation of endometrial glands. A meta-analysis of fifteen epidemiological studies showed that the incidence of endometrial cancer was reduced by 50 percent or more for up to twenty years after only twelve months of combined OCP
Source: www.sexualityandu.ca
What is endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is the rapid and uncontrolled growth of cells in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus . The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's abdomen. Endometrial cancer usually occurs in women older than 50. Fortunately, it is highly curable if detected at an early stage when the cancer is still contained in the uterus. Most women with endometrial cancer are diagnosed in the earliest stage, and up to 93% of these women are cancer-free 5 years after treatment. 1
Source: www.svcmc.org
What causes endometrial cancer?
There are many factors related to endometrial cancer. One of the most common is too much of the hormone estrogen compared to the body's progesterone . 2 Estrogen makes the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow thicker. Late in your menstrual cycle, a drop in progesterone plays a part in the thick lining shedding away. When there is too much estrogen in the body, progesterone can't do its job. The endometrium gets thicker and thicker. If the endometrium builds up and stays that way, cancer cells can start to grow
Source: www.svcmc.org
What is the cost of breast, endometrial and colon cancer related to overweight and obesity?
Breast cancer Total cost: $2.9 billion Direct cost: $1.1 billion Indirect cost: $1.8 billion Endometrial cancer Total cost: $933 million Direct cost: $310 million Indirect cost: $623 million Colon cancer Total cost: $3.5 billion Direct cost: $1.3 billion Indirect cost: $2.2 billion
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