Endometrial Cancer Treatment in Indore

Endometrial Cancer – Detailed Description

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system in many countries. Most cases are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, though it can occur in younger women as well.

Causes & Risk Factors

Endometrial cancer often develops due to hormonal imbalances, particularly prolonged exposure to estrogen without adequate progesterone. Risk factors include:

Age is most common after 50 years

Obesity

Replacement hormone therapy of estrogen alone

Early menstruation or late menopause

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Family history or genetic mutations-Lynch syndrome, BRCA mutations

Diabetes or high blood pressure

Types of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrioid carcinoma-most common; often hormone-sensitive

Serous carcinoma - aggressive, less common

Clear cell carcinoma: rare, aggressive

Carcinosarcoma – mixed tumour with aggressive behaviour

Symptoms

Symptoms often show themselves early on, which allows for early detection.

Abnormal uterine bleeding, esp postmenopausal

Heavy or protracted periods in premenopausal women

Pelvic pain or pressure

Unexplained weight loss, in advanced stages

Pain during sexual intercourse or urination

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of endometrial cancer includes:

Pelvic exam

Transvaginal ultrasound -evaluates endometrial thickness

Endometrial biopsy - confirms the cancerous cells.

Hysteroscopy - it visualises the uterine lining and allows sampling of tissues.

Imaging studies-CT, MRI, or PET scans to stage the disease

Overview of Treatment

The treatment depends on the stage, tumour grade, health of the patient, and fertility considerations. The majority of the treatment modalities are multimodal.

1. Surgery

Hysterectomy - removal of the uterus: total or radical

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy of the ovaries along with the fallopian tubes.

Lymph nodes removal- to see if cancer is spreading

Fertility-sparing surgery is reserved for selected young women with early disease of low malignant grade

2. Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation: targets the pelvis to kill cancer cells

Brachytherapy - internal radiation applied to the uterine cavity

Often used after surgery to reduce recurrence risk

3. Hormone Therapy

For hormone receptor-positive tumours

Drugs like progestins, tamoxifen, or aromatase inhibitors may help control or slow growth

4. Chemotherapy

For the advanced, recurrent, or aggressive types of cancer

Common drugs: paclitaxel, carboplatin, cisplatin

5. Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy

Targeted drugs may be used for tumours with specific genetic changes

Immunotherapy can be an option in selected cases with high microsatellite instability.

Prognosis

Early-stage endometrial cancer has an excellent prognosis, often curable with surgery.

Advanced-stage disease has a lower survival rate, but treatment can extend life and improve quality of life.

Regular follow-up is necessary to look out for any recurrence.

Prevention & Monitoring

Management of risk factors such as obesity and diabetes

Hormone therapy management under medical supervision

Regular gynecologic check-ups, particularly for postmenopausal women Genetic counselling for high-risk families