Uterine cancer is one of the most common types of gynaecological cancer for women. It mostly affects women over the age of 45. Different people have different uterine cancer symptoms and types, which should be checked at an early stage. If you are wondering about the symptoms or searching online to hear patient stories regarding “how I knew I had uterine cancer?”  Then, you must know there are some common signs that you should monitor. So, to help you get a good understanding of uterine cancer screening and the different types of uterine cancer. Let’s take a closer look at endometrial and uterine sarcoma and its treatment options.

What is Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the uterine tissues (womb). There are mainly two types of uterine cancer- Uterine Sarcoma and Endometrial Cancer. A uterine sarcoma is an uncommon form of uterine cancer, while endometrial carcinoma is the more prevalent kind. The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, is where cancer cells grow in endometrial cancer. When it comes to the symptoms of uterine cancer, it usually starts with vaginal bleeding, heavy bleeding during periods, or prolonged menstrual flow. Few women also face pelvic pain and changes in bladder habits due to the development of uterine cancer.

What Are The Risk Factors Uterine Cancer?

There are different risk factors associated with the development of uterine cancer. Some of the most common causes are:

• Endometrial overgrowth (hyperplasia)
• Obesity
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Having never been pregnant
• Early menses
• Menopause after age 55
• Estrogen hormone therapy without progesterone

Obesity and PCOS bring massive changes in your body, resulting in increased estrogen. This increased level of estrogen increases the risk of endometrial cancer. The chance of uterine cancer rises with the length of a woman's menstrual cycle. Women who start their menstrual cycles before the age of 12 and who have their menopause after the age of 55 are considered at a higher risk of endometrial cancer. Now that you know about the common causes of endometrial cancer, let’s review the different types of uterine cancer, namely endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.

Different Types of Uterine Cancer

Women may face two different types of uterine cancer- Endometrial Cancer and Uterine Sarcoma. Both these may develop for various reasons, and one should be aware of the signs and the treatment for the same.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is a kind of gynaecological cancer 

that starts with uterine cell proliferation. The uterus is a pear-shaped, hollow pelvic organ that houses foetal development. Since endometrial cancer causes symptoms, it is frequently discovered at an early stage. Often, irregular vaginal bleeding is the initial symptom. Early detection of endometrial cancer frequently results in uterine excision as a treatment. Although the exact cause of endometrial cancer is not clearly understood, doctors think a genetic mutation causes alterations to the DNA of the uterine lining. Usually, healthy cells stop proliferating and die at a predetermined rate when they exhibit abnormalities. Endometrial cancer cells proliferate and divide uncontrollably, forming a mass or tumour when DNA alterations occur.

What causes Endometrial Cancer?

There are different causes of endometrial cancer, which can further lead to serious health issues at a later stage. Here are some of the most commonly considered causes of endometrial cancer.

• Oestrogen Level Change: Oestrogen and progesterone are the two primary hormones produced by the ovaries. Due to changes in the levels of these hormones, the endometrium can change. Endometrial cancer risk can be elevated by an illness or condition that raises the body's oestrogen levels but not progesterone levels.
   
• Longer Fertile Period: Endometrial cancer risk increases by starting menstruation before the age of 12 or delaying menopause. Your endometrium is exposed to oestrogen when you've had more periods. Exposure to oestrogen over time has the potential to increase your risk of uterine cancer.
   
• Old Age: Your chance of developing endometrial cancer rises with age. Most cases of endometrial cancer happen after menopause. In terms of age, women over the age of 45 are at the highest risk of uterine cancer, with the risk increasing with age.
   
• Obesity: Endometrial cancer risk increases with obesity. This could occur because excess body fat can throw off your body's hormonal equilibrium. The hormonal changes can lead to other health concerns such as PCOS and PCOD, both of which also increase your risk of uterine cancer.

Uterine Sarcoma

Uterine Sarcoma is considered an uncommon variation of uterine cancer that develops in the uterine muscles or tissue. Unusual bleeding, discomfort, and a mass in the vagina are among the symptoms of uterine sarcoma. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are possible forms of treatment. The majority of uterine malignancies, also known as endometrial cancers or carcinomas, originate in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Other uncommon forms of sarcoma also originate in the uterine lining's supporting cells.

Causes of Uterine Sarcomas

One of the significant causes of uterine sarcomas is the development of cancerous cells that grow, divide, and disperse throughout the body. These cells primarily originate in the myometrium or muscular wall of the uterus. According to scientists, uterine sarcomas have no known cause. Constant research is being conducted to learn how to identify, treat, and prevent them. Though the causes of uterine sarcoma are not clearly understood, the various stages of uterine sarcoma are thoroughly studied to help doctors categorise the severity of the condition into different stages.

Different Stages of Uterine Sarcoma

There are different stages of uterine sarcoma one should be aware of. These are-

• Stage I: Cancer limited to your uterus.
• Stage II: Your pelvis gets infected with cancer outside of your uterus.
• Stage III: The cancer progresses to lymph nodes and other abdominal regions not included in the pelvis.
• Stage IV: The cancer further progresses to distant regions beyond the abdomen and is now affecting the rectum bladder.

Treatment for Uterine Cancer

Women with uterine cancer have various treatment options based on the cancer stages, the spread of the cancer, and its effects on the body. Some of the most common treatment options include:

• Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, which uses X-rays to destroy or damage cancer cells, is one of the popular treatments to lower the risk of uterine cancer reoccurring. If you are not well enough to have surgery, it might be suggested as the primary course of treatment. The doctor would administer radiation therapy externally, using a machine to target the cancer and surrounding tissue, or internally, using brachytherapy, which involves inserting radioactive material into tiny tubes and placing them close to the malignancy.

• Hormone Therapy

In most cases, hormone therapy is administered if the cancer has returned or expanded to other areas. In some cases, the doctor would suggest hormone therapy if not undergoing any surgery. The primary hormonal treatment for women with uterine cancer is progesterone, which a doctor or nurse can administer via injection or tablet form. It aids in symptom control and tumour shrinkage in some instances.

• Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy, this is the most common surgical treatment option for uterine cancer, as it can be used by doctors to remove the cancer-affected uterus and cervix. If the cancer has spread beyond the uterus, the surgery can be modified to remove the ovaries (one or both) and fallopian tubes, too.

Conclusion

The number of women suffering from uterine cancer is rising exponentially over time, and as such, this condition requires further awareness to help women screen and diagnose the condition at an early stage. If you are above the age of 40 and experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this article, feel free to reach out to our experts at MASSH for a uterine cancer screening consultation. Our experts can help you understand the treatment options for your condition if you have cancer and help you go through the treatments without any risk to your health. Check out our website to learn more about uterine cancer treatment at MASSH.