Uterus Cancer

There are three types of uterus cancer: cervical cancer, uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical 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.

Uterine Sarcoma

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 cancer represents approximately one percent of gynecologic cancers.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers found in American women. Each year, approximately 40,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer usually starts in the lining of the uterus and typically occurs after menopause, targeting women in their 60s and 70s. This type of 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. A hysterectomy is a common treatment for this type of uterus cancer because removing the uterus often eliminates the cancer.

To learn more about cancer of the uterus, as well as the innovative treatment options CTCA offers, visit our Uterine Cancer Center.

Uterus Cancer Symptoms

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 common symptoms of uterus cancer:

• 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 premenopausal 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 of developing endometrial cancer.
• 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: This may cause increased estrogen exposure.
• Fat tissue: Obesity plays a role because fat tissue can elevate estrogen levels.
• Estrogen-only Replacement Therapy (ERT): This 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 developing uterus 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 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 treatment course will involve the removal of just the uterus, or if 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 cancer has spread to other parts of your body, radiation may also be necessary. If your doctor feels you are at a high risk for 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 decide together. At CTCA, you will have access to both traditional and alternative treatments, working with a dedicated team of doctors, specialists and other clinicians.

Choosing Your Treatment Center

It takes courage to fight cancer. CTCA would be honored to work alongside you in your battle against uterus cancer. If you have any questions about our treatment options and hospitals, 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 1-800-615-3055 or you can enter an online chat with a CTCA Oncology Information Specialist.