Uterine cancer is a condition that affects many women each year and can have serious consequences if it is not detected and treated early. If you are worried that you might have uterine cancer or know someone who has been diagnosed, learning about the signs of this type of cancer can help to ensure that it does not get overlooked. In this blog post, we will discuss how uterine cancer is detected and the treatment options available.
It is important to note that a cervical screening test, unfortunately, does not detect uterine cancer. Currently there is no screening test available for uterine cancer.
The main ways uterine cancer is detected are:
Physical examination: A doctor can check your body to look for lumps and other signs of cancer, especially around your belly, or they can also check inside the vagina.
Transvaginal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create an image of your internal organs so the doctor can examine the size of the ovaries and uterus for abnormalities.
Endometrial biopsy: This involves a doctor examining the cells of your endometrium in the uterus by removing a small sample of cells using suction.
Hysteroscopy and biopsy: a hysteroscopy allows the doctor to see inside the cervix by inserting a hysteroscope, a telescope like device. At the end, the doctor will perform a biopsy, often an endometrial biopsy, to remove a bit of tissue to send to a pathologist for examination.
Dilation and curettage: This is the most common and accurate way to take a sample from the lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated (made larger), then a small vacuum-like device removes some cells, and the walls of the uterus are gently scraped to remove any remaining material.
Blood tests cannot diagnose uterine cancer but can give information on the general health of the patient which can inform treatment decisions.
After a diagnosis is made by the earlier procedures, further tests are often needed to determine the size and position of the cancer. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan allows doctors to see images of the internal organs and structures such as a tumour
A transvaginal ultrasound can be used to diagnose uterine cancer. This involves inserting a small device called a transducer into the vagina. The device makes sound waves and receives echoes, to create an image showing organs or tumours on a computer. A biopsy is often required to test some of the cells to confirm if any tumours or abnormalities are cancerous.
Treatment for uterine cancer depends on:
These are the treatment options for uterine cancer:
Surgery: Surgery can involve the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes or ovaries, and sometimes lymph nodes. During this surgery the doctor tries to remove as much of the cancer as possible.
Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Your doctor may also remove part of the vagina, this is called a radical hysterectomy. In most cases, the fallopian tubes and ovaries are also removed – this is called a bilateral salpingo‑oophorectomy. The ovaries are removed either because the cancer may have spread to the ovaries, or because the ovaries produce oestrogen, a hormone that may help the cancer to grow.
Lymph node removal: Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are part of the lymphatic system in your body. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system. Sometimes lymph nodes in the pelvis are removed, to make sure the cancer doesn’t spread further.
Chemotherapy: is the use of medicines to remove cancer cells or slow their growth. It may involve one medicine or a combination and sometimes involves several treatments.
Radiation therapy: uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used on its own, in combination with chemotherapy or after surgery to ensure all cancer cells are destroyed.
Hormone therapy: hormones are produced naturally by glands in the body and control several processes. Some uterine cancers depend on hormones (such as oestrogen) for their growth. Progesterone can be used as a hormone therapy to treat uterine cancer.
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