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Types of Uterus Cancer |
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There are three types of uterus cancer: cervical cancer, uterine sarcoma, and endometrial cancer.
Cervical uterus cancer resides in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow and somewhat pear-shaped organ located in the pelvis.
Simply defined, uterine sarcoma is a uterus cancer of the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus. It is a rare kind of uterus cancer in which the cells in the muscles or supporting tissues become cancerous. This type of uterus cancer represents approximately one percent of gynecological cancers.
Endometrial cancer is a type of uterus cancer that is one of the most common cancers found in American women. Each year, approximately 40,000 women receive a diagnosis of this type of uterus cancer. Endometrial cancer usually starts in the lining of the uterus and typically occurs after menopause, targeting women in their 60's and 70's. This uterus cancer is normally detected at an early stage, mainly because one of the most common symptoms is unexplained vaginal bleeding. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our doctors will work you to determine if removing the uterus is the best course of action. Hysterectomy is a common treatment for this type of uterus cancer because removing the uterus often eliminates the cancer entirely.
Uterus Cancer Symptoms
This uterus cancer (endometrial) is slow growing and typically develops over a period of years. As always, the best thing you can do is educate yourself on uterus cancer symptoms. This type of cancer usually affects post-menopausal women, but it can affect women younger than 40 years old. Below you will find some uterus cancer symptoms you should look for. If you experience any of these symptoms, the CTCA care team may be able to help.
- Periods that last longer than usual
- Bleeding between periods
- Frequent spotting
- Bleeding that occurs after menopause
- Vaginal discharge - pink or white
- Pelvic pain
- Pain experienced during intercourse
- Unexplained weight loss
The Female Reproduction System
The female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. The ovaries produce two main female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. In pre-menopausal women, the balance of these hormones changes each month. When the balance shifts towards producing more estrogen, the endometrium's growth is stimulated and the risk of developing endometrial cancer increases. Some things that may contribute to increased estrogen are:
- Length of menstruation - the longer you have been menstruating, the more estrogen has been produced, thus increasing your risk.
- Never becoming pregnant - more progesterone is produced during pregnancy and this aids in helping reduce the risk of endometrial cancer because it lowers the level of estrogen.
- Irregular ovulation - may cause increased estrogen exposure.
- Fat tissue - obesity plays a role because fat tissue can elevate estrogen levels.
- ERT (Estrogen-only Replacement Therapy) - increases the amount of estrogen in your system and may increase your risk of endometrial cancer.
- Ovarian tumors - tumors may be a source of estrogen, thus increasing estrogen levels.
Uterus Cancer - Increased Risk
There are additional factors that can increase your risk of uterus cancer. They include:
- Age - simply put, the older you are, the greater your risk.
- Medical history - if you are a survivor of breast or ovarian cancer, your odds of contracting this cancer are increased.
- Drug treatment (Tamoxifen) - some women diagnosed with breast cancer are treated with a drug called Tamoxifen. Statistics show that one in every 500 women who received this treatment will develop endometrial cancer. This is because Tamoxifen acts like estrogen and causes the uterine lining to grow.
- Race - white women are the most likely to develop this cancer.
Uterus Cancer Treatment
The most common form of uterus cancer treatment is surgery. At CTCA, our doctors will meet with you to discuss whether the best course of uterus cancer treatment will involve the removal of just the uterus, or if the uterus cancer treatment will require the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. We understand that this can be an extremely difficult decision because pregnancy is no longer possible once your uterus is removed.
If the uterus cancer has spread to other parts of your body, radiation may also be necessary. Sometimes if your doctor feels you are at a high risk of recurrence, it may be suggested that you undergo radiation treatment after your hysterectomy. Again, this will be something that you and your doctor will discuss in detail and a decision will be made that you will be comfortable with. At CTCA, you will have access to both traditional and alternative treatments, and work with a team of doctors and specialists whose passion is treating cancer.
Choosing Your Treatment Center
It takes courage to fight uterus cancer. CTCA would be honored to work alongside you in the battle against uterus cancer. If you have any questions or concerns about our treatment options for uterus cancer, please contact us. We are available any time day or night to assist you. You can choose to either contact us over the phone at 800-615-3055 or enter a private online chat.
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