Endometriosis is more common than you think, and it affects millions of women worldwide! However, due to less awareness and lack of knowledge, they fail to find an effective way to overcome endometriosis. And if that is not enough to complicate your health conditions, in some cases, you may also get diagnosed with endometrial cancer. In short, if not diagnosed or treated on time, endometriosis can become a life-threatening disease when it reaches the cancer stage.
To determine the first signs of endometrial cancer and how you can overcome it on time, we are back with this article after conversing with Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi. She is considered for endometriosis treatment in Mumbai because of her proven success record with her patients. So, let’s start!
What Is Endometrial Cancer?
Also known as Uterine cancer, endometrial cancer is generally characterized by the irregular growth of cells in the uterus. The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman gets pregnant. Uterine cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in a woman’s reproductive system. This cancer begins when the normal cells in the uterus start to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass of cells called a tumour. In any case, if this tumour is found to be malignant, it is considered uterine cancer.
However, you should know that more than 80 per cent of uterine cancers are adenocarcinomas that start in the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
First Common Signs of Endometrial Cancer
Usually, more than 90 per cent of women experience unexpected abnormal vaginal bleeding, which is the more common sign of uterine cancer. The signs can vary from first person to another person. Irregular bleeding may be
- Unusual heavy bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Vaginal discharge from a light-stained to light or dark brown
Causes of Endometrial Cancer
There can be several risk factors for endometrial cancer. And many of them are related to the balance between estrogen and progesterone. The risk factors can include obesity, PCOS, or taking estrogen without progesterone.
Risk factors can include: Age, Lifestyle and Family History
- Age: As you get older, the risk of developing endometrial cancer increases; primarily, this cancer affects a woman at the age of 50.
- A diet high in Animal Fat: A high-fat diet also increases the risk of several cancers as fatty foods are high in calories, leading to obesity.
- Family History: In some cases, it is seen that genetic disorders increase the cancer risk. Moreover, women with Lynch syndrome are also at high risk of endometrial cancer along with other cancers.
Other Conditions
- Diabetes: This disease is generally related to obesity, a risk factor for cancer. However, as per some studies, there is a more direct relation between diabetes and endometrial cancer as well.
- Obesity: Some hormones are changed to estrogen by fat tissue, increasing uterine cancer risk. The increase in fat tissue will have a more significant effect on estrogen levels.
- Ovarian diseases: Women having certain ovarian tumours generally have high estrogen levels and low progesterone levels. These shifts in hormone changes can increase the uterine cancer risk.
Menstrual And Reproductive History
- Early Menstruation
- Late Menopause
- Long Menstruation Span
- Not being able to get pregnant
What Are The Complications of Endometrial Cancer?
The most severe and tragic complication of endometrial cancer is death. However, when diagnosed at an early stage, it reduces the risk of death, but there are other complications, too, such as:
- Anemia
- Cancer spreads to other parts of the body
- Your body isn’t responding well to the treatment
Diagnosis and Tests
To diagnose the health condition, your doctor will ask you to describe the symptoms, like where you are experiencing pain. The final diagnosis will be based on:
- Pelvic Exam
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Laparoscopy
What Does An Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis Show?
An endometrial cancer diagnosis will help to determine the type of cancer so that an effective treatment can be planned on time.
- Type 1 Endometrial Cancers: This type of cancer is less aggressive and does not spread to other tissues quickly.
- Type 2 Endometrial Cancers: These are more aggressive and likely to spread outside of the uterus.
After that, the cancer stage will also be determined on a scale of I to IV.
- Stage I Cancer: At this, the cancer hasn’t spread beyond your uterus
- Stage II Cancer: At this the cancer has spread to your vertex
- Stage III Cancer: At this, it has spread to your vagina, ovaries or lymph nodes
- Stage IV Cancer: At stage IV, the endometrial cancer has spread to your bladder or other organs far away from your uterus.
Treatment Methods For Endometrial Cancer
- Chemotherapy: This method will use powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: This therapy sends targeted radiation beams to destroy cancer cells
- Hormone Therapy: It gives hormones or blocks them from treating cancer
- Immuno Therapy: It helps your immune system to fight cancer
- Targeted Therapy: It uses medications to target those specific cancer cells that multiply.
- Fertility Treatment: Endometriosis also contributes to the trouble of conceiving. In such cases, your doctor may suggest a fertility treatment like ovarian stimulation so that you can produce more mature eggs to work for the In-vitro fertilization process.
Surgeries
- Hysterectomy with removal of ovaries: This may relieve pain for some, but others still experience symptoms. However, you may experience early menopause due to this, which can further reduce your chances of getting pregnant if you are planning to do so.
- Total abdominal hysterectomy: In this, the surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen to remove your uterus. It is generally preferred to treat signs and symptoms of endometriosis, like heavy bleeding and painful menses.
- Traditional Surgery: A traditional surgery may help those women who wish to bear a child as in this surgery. As in this, endometriosis implants are removed while conserving the uterus and ovaries.
Conclusion
Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer affecting your reproductive system. Surgery can cure it if it is diagnosed before spreading to other organs. So, if you are experiencing any sign of uterine cancer, it is high time you should consult a gynaecologist.
You can end your research at Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi. With over 20 years of experience and a compassionate approach towards her patients, she is renowned as the best gynaecologist and a skilled female sexologist in Mumbai. To book your appointment with her, visit Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital in Delhi today!