Endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer that starts and grows in the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. This is one of the most common types of cancer in women, that affects the reproductive organs.  

 The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ where the baby develops and grows. The uterus has 2 main parts: (1) the upper part which is called the body or the corpus and (2) the lower end called the cervix. When doctors talk about cancer of the uterus, they usually refer to cancers that start in the uterus and not in the cervix. Cervical cancer is a different kind of cancer.  

The body of the uterus has 2 main layers: 

• Myometrium – this is the outer layer of the uterus; this thick layer of muscles is needed to push the baby out during delivery. 
• Endometrium – the inner part of the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the hormones cause the endometrium to change. Estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken to nourish the embryo during conception. If there is no pregnancy, estrogen is produced in smaller amounts, and more progesterone is made. This then causes the endometrial lining to shed and cause menstrual flow. 

Schedule an appointment with the best GYN in East New York at Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center.  

TYPES 

• Endometroid cancer – this is the most common type of endometrial cancer 
• Uterine papillary serous carcinoma – this is a rare form of endometrial and uterine cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus 
• Uterine clear cell carcinoma – this is an even rarer form of endometrial cancer 
• Uterine carcinosarcoma – this is also a rare form of endometrial cancer, but this type tends to be more of the aggressive type 

SYMPTOMS 

One of the most common symptoms of endometrial cancers is vaginal bleeding.  

For premenopausal women, symptoms can include: 

• Length and heaviness of menstrual period 
• Bleeding and spotting in between menstrual periods

For postmenopausal women, any kind of bleeding is abnormal and is already considered a symptom.  

For advanced stages, symptoms can include: 

• Pelvic pain 
• Bloating 
• Feeling full after a small snack or meal 
• Changes in bowel and bladder habits 

 If you experience any of these symptoms, have them checked with your doctor immediately. Although these may not be a sign of serious problems, it is important that you still have them checked out. Your doctor can help you identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend courses of treatment if needed.  

CAUSES 

The exact cause of these types of cancer is still unknown. However, doctors think that changes in the body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone frequently play a role. Also, genetic changes in the DNA cells of the endometrium could also be one of the causes of endometrial cancer. The normal and healthy cells could turn into abnormal cells. Healthy cells usually grow at a set rate and eventually die. Abnormal cells grow out of control, don’t die, and form a mass or tumor.  

RISK FACTORS 

These are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer: 

• Hormonal changes – the ovaries make two kinds of female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Changes in the balance of these two hormones can also cause changes in the endometrium. 
• Years of menstruation – when your menstruation started early, it means that your endometrium has had longer exposure to estrogen which increases the risk of endometrial cancer 
• Obesity – being obese means excess body fats alter the body’s hormonal balance, which also increases the risk of endometrial cancer 
• Never been pregnant – never being pregnant can increase the risk of endometrial cancer 
• Old age – as a woman gets older, the risk of endometrial cancer increases as endometrial cancer often occurs after the menopausal stage 
• Hormone therapy for breast cancer – taking hormone therapy for breast cancer can increase the risk of endometrial cancer 

PREVENTION 

There is no way to prevent endometrial cancer, but you can take some steps to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, which can include: 

• Talking to your doctor if you are considering hormone replacement therapy after menopause. 
• Consider taking oral contraceptives to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. 
• Maintain a healthy weight as obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer. 

TREATMENT 

• Surgery – treatment for endometrial cancer usually involves surgery, called hysterectomy, to remove the uterus as well as the fallopian tubes and ovaries 
• Radiation therapy – radiation therapy uses energy beams to kill the cancer cells in your body. If you are not healthy enough to undergo surgery, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy as an option. 
• Chemotherapy – this uses chemicals, in the form of drugs, to kill the body’s cancer cells. Chemotherapy is also recommended after surgery, especially if there is an increased risk of the cancer cells returning.  
• Hormone therapy – this medication is used to lower the hormone levels in the body 
• Immunotherapy – this treatment helps the immune system in fighting cancer 

If you have symptoms of endometrial cancer or have a family member that has had endometrial cancer, consult your doctor immediately. After receiving a diagnosis, you may have questions, fears, and concerns. This is entirely normal and eventually, you’ll find a way to cope with the diagnosis. Until then, try to gather as much information as you can so you can make decisions about the care you want and what fits your condition best.  

At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we provide women with quality healthcare services. Our specialists aim to deliver the highest quality of healthcare. The best GYN doctors in East New York with our patients in diagnosing and formulating treatment plans for their conditions. To book an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at http://www.gynecologistbrooklyn.com/