Know about cancer of the uterus

The term, “uterine cancer”, commonly refers to cancer arising from the inner lining of the uterus, i.e. endometrium, known as endometrial carcinoma. But it can also occur in the muscles and tissues supporting the uterus, i.e. sarcomas. Uterine cancer is different from the cancer occurring in lower part of uterus, i.e. the cervical cancer. It is one of the most common cancers in women in the United States and other developed countries. But cases occur in developing countries also. Uterine cancer most commonly affects women in the menopausal age or after menopause, i.e. 55 years and above, while cervical cancer can occur at an early age. The exact cause is unknown but there are several risk factors identified which increase the chances of having a cancer of the uterus. They mostly occur due to excess exposure to estrogens as in women taking contraceptive pills for a long time, or those taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) after menopause. In HRT, feminizing hormone, estrogen is given after menopause to prevent the troublesome symptoms of menopause. Women who have not produced any child or have one child only or conceive late in life are more prone to develop this kind of cancer. Early menarche (beginning of menstruation) and late menopause are also risk factors for uterine cancer. Radiation taken on the pelvis also makes one more susceptible to cancer of the uterus. Benign growths of the inner lining of the uterus like endometrial polyps and fibroids can also lead to a person develop cancer of the uterus. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are general medical conditions which make one more prone to development of uterine cancer. If a woman or one of her female relatives has ovarian or breast cancer, it increases the likelihood of developing uterine cancer. Tamoxifen, a drug used to treat breast cancer also increases the risk of having uterine cancer. Thin Vaginal discharge, watery or blood tinged occurring in a woman after menopause should alert one to the possibility of uterine cancer. Similarly vaginal bleeding in a woman 6 months after menopause whether just, “spotting”, or heavy bleeding is highly suggestive of a cancer of the uterus. Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding in between cycles in a woman who has not achieved menopause is yet another sign of malignancy of the uterus. These abnormalities of menstruation may be accompanied by pain in the lower back and abdomen along with sense of heaviness. There is pain after intercourse and some vaginal bleeding may also occur after intercourse. If the cancer invades the urinary bladder, one can have burning and frequency of urination and or difficulty to pass urine. It may also spread to the backbone leading to chronic backache and destruction of the vertebrae in advanced cases. Cancer of the uterus is diagnosed on suspicion by the suggestive clinical features. It is confirmed by biopsy of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Pap,s smear(microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge for malignancy) is not very useful for diagnosing uterine cancer as for cervical cancers. The treatment is mainly surgical and is very effective in curing a patient in the early stages. The uterus along with ovaries and if needed the supporting structures of the uterus all are removed surgically. In advanced cases, radiation is given after surgery to kill any residual cancerous cells. Information needs to be disseminated among women about uterine cancer. Though not as frequent as cervical cancer in the poor women of developing countries, women do get it and suffer much. Therefore if a lady gets any vaginal discharge and or vaginal bleeding after menopause, she should not hesitate to get herself screened for uterine cancer. This is more important if she has any of the risk factors present likely to cause a uterine cancer. Timely diagnosis and treatment can save her life and also improve the quality of life. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk