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Endometriosis Cancer


Endometriosis Cancer overview and Definition

The cancer or malignant cells forms in the endometrial tissues.


Epidemiology

Mostly it occurs in women who has crossed 50 years of age.


Structure of Endometriosis Cancer

The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis.

The uterus is where a foetus grows.

In most nonpregnant women, the uterus is about 3 inches long.

The lower, narrow end of the uterus is the cervix, which leads to the vagina


Clinical signs & symptoms

  • Vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation (periods).
  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Pain during sexual intercourse.
  • Pain in the pelvic area.


Differential Diagnosis

The physician might look for your history to come into the conclusions. It might includes the type of cancer suspected, signs and symptom of the individual, age and general health of the individual, results of previous medical tests.

Pelvic examination:

     The physician palpate the uterus, vagina, ovaries and rectum to check for any possible findings.

PAP test:

A PAP test is done to check for endometrial cancer in which the cells are removed from the cancer site and it is stained.

Endometrial biopsy:

A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under the microscope. Other test can suggest the cancer is present or not but only the biopsy makes the greater difference between them. The pathologist inserts the tube into the uterus through the cervix and the tissue is removed from the endometrium. After the women might have uterine bleeding and vaginal cramps. It is very accurate measurement for diagnosis for cancer.

Dilatation and curettage(D&C):

  • It is the procedure used to remove the sample from uterus. This procedure is done under aneasthesia. This  D&C procedure is done after the hysteroscopy so that the doctor can clearly view the lining of the uterus. During a hysteroscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light on it through the cervix into the vagina and uterus. After endometrial tissue has been removed, during a biopsy or D&C, the sample is checked by a pathologist for cancer cells, endometrial hyperplasia, and other conditions.

Transvaginal ultrasound:

  • Sound waves are used to create the pictures of internal organs.in an transvaginal ultrasound an ultrasound wand is inserted into the vagina.

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan:

  • A  CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body using x-rays taken from different angles. A computer combines these pictures into a detailed, 3-dimensional image that shows any abnormalities or tumors. A CT scan can be used to measure the tumor’s size. Sometimes, a special dye called a contrast medium is given before the scan to provide better detail on the image. This dye can be injected into a patient’s vein or given as a pill or liquid to swallow.

Magnetic resonance imaging:

  • It uses a specific xray to see the uterus images. It is mainly used to treat the early stages of cancer.

Molecular testing of the tumor:

 Your doctor may recommend running laboratory tests on a tumor sample to identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumor.

The following is the stage of the endometrial cancer:

          Stage 1: The cancer is only present in the uterus.

  • Stage 2: The cancer is present in the uterus and cervix.
  • Stage 3: The cancer has spread outside the uterus, but not as far as the rectum or bladder. It might be present in fallopian tube, vagina, ovaries and lymph node.
  • Stage 4: The cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area. It might be present in the bladder, rectum, and/or distant tissues or organs.

 

 


Prognosis

The 20 year survival rate f the patient with endometrial cancer is  is 80%

 


Prevention

 

To reduce your risk of endometrial cancer, you may wish to:

  • Talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy after menopause. If you're considering hormone replacement therapy to help control menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Unless you've undergone a hysterectomy, replacing estrogen alone after menopause may increase your risk of endometrial cancer. Taking a combination of estrogen and progestin can reduce this risk. Hormone therapy carries other risks, so weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor.
  • Consider taking birth control pills. Using oral contraceptives for at least one year may reduce endometrial cancer risk. The risk reduction is thought to last for several years after you stop taking oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives have side effects, though, so discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer, so work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, increase your physical activity and reduce the number of calories you eat each day.
  • Maintain the healthy lifestyle.