Cancer of the body of the uterus: causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease

Cancer of the uterine body or endometrial carcinoma – one of the most common cancers of the female reproductive system. In the general statistics of female malignant neoplasms, endometrial tumor is the second most common after breast cancer. The peculiarity of the disease to which this article is devoted is the tendency to occur at the end of the reproductive period. According to statistics, two out of five cases are over 55 years old. estet-portal invites you to talk about the causes of endometrial carcinoma, its main symptoms, risk groups, and also get acquainted with the methods that are successfully used in the treatment of this disease.

Causes of uterine cancer

Endometrial cancer is in the category of oncological diseases, the etiology and causes of which are not completely clear. To date, there are several hypotheses that explain the development of the disease.

Hypothesis #1: hormonal failure

The underlying hypothesis of the appearance of endometrial carcinoma suggests that the cause of the disease is a hormonal failure. According to statistics, endocrine, gynecological and metabolic disorders are the prerequisites for the disease in 7 out of 10 patients.

Excessive increase in estrogen is expressed by:

• lack of ovulation;
• bleeding;
• infertility;
• the occurrence of neoplasms in the ovaries or uterus.

Carcinoma due to hormonal dysfunction affects women who:

• are overweight (more than 20 kg overweight);
• suffer from hypertension;
• have one form of diabetes;
• have a benign ovarian or uterine mass;
• repeated abortions;
• taking hormone replacement therapy (estrogens);
• are prone to cancer of the female genital organs.

Cancer of the body of the uterus, provoked by hormonal dysfunction, usually develops slowly. This form allows you to detect yourself at an early stage and start treatment in a timely manner.

Hypothesis #2: endometrial atrophy

According to studies, every third case of uterine cancer is accompanied by pathological atrophy of the endometrium. By itself, atrophy of the endometrial mucosa is considered the norm in the period of pre- and postmenopause.

In some cases, in a woman, endometrial atrophy can be accompanied by proliferation of soft tissues and lead to the occurrence of intrauterine synechia – adhesions of the internal organs of the reproductive system. The cause of this pathology can be:

• mechanical damage to the endometrium (for example, due to abortion or curettage);
• benign lesions;
• use of intrauterine devices.

During this period, the body is prone to the appearance of various neoplasms, including – malignant tumors. It is worth noting that this form of cancer has an aggressive form and is characterized by transient development. That is why, with the slightest symptoms (we will talk about them a little below), it is urgent to contact a gynecologist and undergo a full examination.

Hypothesis #3: Genetics

Often, doctors note a tendency to hereditary occurrence of cancer of the uterine body. It is worth noting that all oncogynecological diseases quite often carry a "family" pattern. character.

In this case, the disease can provoke:

1. Violations of certain genes;
2. Tendency to various pathologies of the reproductive system.

In any case, women whose families have had cases of oncological diseases of the reproductive system should regularly visit a gynecologist and take preventive measures.

Stages of development of uterine cancer

This disease goes through several stages of development.

• Zero - characterized by the growth of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia). Without timely treatment, pathology inevitably leads to the appearance of malignant neoplasms.
• The first stage is characterized by a tumor that is limited to the endometrium. Education can affect only the epithelium or part of the muscle layer.
• Second stage – the tumor spreads to the cervix.
• In the third stage, the tumor affects the organs of the reproductive system: the ovaries, vagina, or nearby lymph nodes.
• At the fourth stage, metastases affect organs and tissues outside the organs of the reproductive system.

Symptomatology of uterine body cancer

In the vast majority of cases, endometrial carcinoma is accompanied by pronounced symptoms even in the initial stages. The main symptoms of the disease are spotting and pain.

• Bleeding. Uterine bleeding is considered one of the main signs of the development of the disease in the postmenopausal period. During the reproductive period, acyclic bleeding occurs frequently and is a symptom of a variety of diseases. That is why developing carcinoma can be diagnosed with a delay.
• Beli. Abundant watery leucorrhea is the second "classic" symptom. Usually they appear already at the first stage of the disease. Often, the discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, similar to pain during menstruation.
• Pus. It also happens that the development of a tumor is accompanied by the release of whites with impurities of pus. This symptom is accompanied by fever, chills, vomiting, nausea and general weakness.
• Pain. Quite often appears in the later stages of uterine cancer. The mass can compress the ureter, causing pain during urination and defecation.

Symptomatology may depend on the age of the patient.

Methods of diagnosis and treatment of endometrial carcinoma

Diagnosis of the disease includes the following steps:

• Search for the exact location of the neoplasm.
• Determination of the stage of the disease and the level of spread of metastases.
• Diagnostics of the body in order to search for third-party diseases and pathologies.

The main diagnostic methods in this case are:

• Gynecological examination. This diagnostic method is carried out by the attending physician, first of all, in order to exclude other, similar diagnoses. It should be noted that in the early stages of the disease, the examination often gives erroneous results, and therefore it is impossible to judge the presence or absence of the disease based on this research method.
• Biopsy. An endometrial tumor can be detected with a biopsy. The method consists in the laboratory study of biomaterial taken from the uterine cavity. A biopsy, like an examination, is not a reliable method of investigation at an early stage. According to statistics, this method detects only 1 out of 3 tumors.
• Ultrasound examination. To date, ultrasound – the most effective method for diagnosing endometrial carcinoma. It allows not only to detect the presence of a tumor, but also to determine its size, exact location and stage of the disease. The only drawback of ultrasound diagnostics is the inaccuracy in determining lymph node metastasis.
• MRI and CT. Supplement the results of ultrasound. They make it possible to determine the metastasis of organs and lymph nodes as accurately as possible.
• Hysteroscopy. This research method is mandatory for suspected endometrial tumor. It allows you to reliably identify even the smallest (up to 1 mm) neoplasms.

In addition to examining the internal organs for metastasis, the patient must undergo a complete examination of the body. This will identify the presence of various diseases and pathologies and prescribe the correct method of treatment.

Methods of treatment

Treatment of endometrial carcinoma involves four methods. The choice of method depends on the type and stage of the disease, the general condition of the body and many other factors.

• Surgical method. Surgery is the main method of treating the disease in the early stages. To date, most doctors resort to complete amputation of the uterus, but there are methods to save the organ.
• Radiation therapy. This method in the case of carcinoma is auxiliary. It allows you to slightly reduce the size of the neoplasm and reduce the likelihood of infection of other organs. Radiation therapy can also be used as a relapse prevention.
• Hormonotherapy. This method can be used as an early treatment for a tumor or as an adjunct. It consists in taking hormonal drugs that suppress estrogen. It is worth noting that this method is used in the case of hormone-dependent cancer.
• Chemotherapy. In the case of cancer of the body of the uterus, chemotherapy is prescribed as an auxiliary measure to combat the disease. The purpose of the method – inhibition of metastasized cells.

How to avoid uterine cancer

Despite the fact that endometrial carcinoma – a very common disease, in most cases it can be avoided by adhering to the following rules.

1. Regular checkups. No matter how trite it may be, a regular examination by a gynecologist (which women neglect quite often) can help identify the presence of pathologies and begin timely treatment. This approach will prevent cell mutation and the occurrence of carcinoma.
2. Body weight control. It's no secret that excess weight provokes many diseases, including – endometrial carcinoma. Control of body weight will help to avoid the development of many pathologies and prevent the disease.
3. Rejection of bad habits. Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, eating carcinogenic products – All of these can lead to carcinoma. Refusal of nicotine and harmful products is one of the main methods of disease prevention.
4. Preventive examinations. In addition to gynecological diseases, cancer of the body of the uterus can also provoke diseases of the endocrine system. Regular medical examinations will help to detect the disease in time and immediately begin its treatment in order to avoid various pathologies.

Summarizing, it is worth recalling that modern medicine allows you to get rid of cancer of the body of the uterus, even in the later stages. However, it is much easier to avoid illness by paying due attention to your health.

On the estet-portal website you will find many useful articles that allow you to learn about various diseases and their prevention. Don't forget: warned – means armed.