Endometrial Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Endometrial Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Endometrial cancer is the emergence of malignancy in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Endometrial cancer is also known as uterine cancer.

In the menstrual cycle, hormonal factors cause changes in the endometrial lining of the uterus. Prior to ovulation, the ovaries (ovaries) will produce the hormone estrogen which causes endometrial thickening. This thickening is important to provide nutrition for the fetus if pregnancy occurs.

If there is no pregnancy after ovulation, the amount of estrogen production will decrease and there will be an increase in the production of the hormone progesterone. At the end of the cycle, the endometrial lining will shed and come out as menstruation (if no pregnancy occurs).

Symptom

Some recognizable symptoms of endometrial cancer include:

• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina: in women who are not yet menopausal, it can be in the form of spots between menstrual periods, changes in menstruation, for example, more than usual, etc.
  Generally, women who are diagnosed with endometrial cancer have experienced menopause (75%), so the complaint is bleeding from the vagina even though they are not menstruating. It should be noted that abnormal bleeding can be caused by other things such as endometriosis or polyps, but it should always be evaluated further.

• pain in the back, legs, or pelvis.

• loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.

Reason

There is no definite cause for the appearance of endometrial cancer. However, there are several risk factors that are thought to be associated with the risk of developing endometrial cancer, namely:

• conditions that affect the amount of hormones throughout life
  • increased risk of: hormonal therapy (estrogen) after menopause, high number of menstrual cycles (eg early menarche or late menopause), some types of ovarian tumors, PCOS
  • reduce the risk of: pregnancy, combined hormonal birth control

• use of IUD ( Intra-Uterine Device ) / IUD (Intrauterine Contraception), non-hormonal IUD users have a smaller risk

• age may increase the risk

• diet, exercise habits, high-fat foods, and a sedentary life can increase the risk

• Diabetes, women with diabetes are up to 4x more at risk for endometrial cancer
• Family history (especially with a history of endometrial cancer or colorectal cancer) may increase the risk
• A history of being previously diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer may increase your risk
• A history of being previously diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia may increase the risk
• Radiation to the pelvic area (eg for treatment of other cancers in the pelvic area) will increase the risk

But keep in mind that having risk factors does not mean you will definitely get endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis

In determining the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, a series of medical interviews and physical examinations are needed to evaluate the signs and symptoms experienced. In addition, several supporting examinations can be carried out, such as:

• Ultrasonography (USG): performed to assess the structure. Generally, it will be advisable to do a transvaginal ultrasound to assess whether there is a mass in the uterus or the presence of endometrial thickening.
• Endometrial sampling: the doctor may perform endometrial sampling via biopsy, hysteroscopy, or curettage. This sample will be assessed by a pathologist with the help of a microscope to assess the presence of cancer cells.
• CA-125: many (but not all) types of endometrial cancer release this substance into the blood. High numbers generally reflect the spread of cancer through the uterus. CA-125 is commonly checked to evaluate the success of therapy.
• Other tests: tests may be done to assess whether the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, in cases of advanced endometrial cancer. Examinations that may be done are chest X-rays, CT-Scan, MRI, PET Scan.

Stage of cancer plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment planning, stages of endometrial cancer are as follows:

• stage 1: cancer is in the area in the uterus
• stage 2: cancer has spread to the cervix (cervix)
• stage 3: cancer has spread to surrounding tissues outside the uterus such as pelvic tissue or lymph nodes
• stage 4: cancer has spread to the tissues in the stomach, or other organs such as the bladder, intestines, liver, lungs