Home > Endometrial cancer

1 Causes

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. Although the exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, increased levels of estrogen appear to have a role. One of estrogen's normal functions is to stimulate the buildup of the epithelial lining of the uterus. Excess estrogen administered to laboratory animals produces endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

The incidence of endometrial cancer in women in the U.S. is 1 percent to 2 percent. The incidence peaks between the ages of 60 and 70 years, but 2 percent to 5 percent of cases may occur before the age of 40 years. Increased risk of developing endometrial cancer has been noted in women with increased levels of natural estrogen.

Associated conditions include the following:

• obesity
• hypertension
• polycystic ovarian disease

Increased risk is also associated with the following:

• nulliparity (never having carried a pregnancy)
• infertility (inability to become pregnant)
• early menarche (onset of menstruation)
• late menopause (cessation of menstruation)

Women who have a history of endometrial polyp s or other benign growths of the uterine lining, postmenopausal women who use estrogen-replacement therapy (specifically if not given in conjunction with periodic progestin) and those with diabetes are also at increased risk

2 Symptoms

• abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods
• bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women
• vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women

in women older than 40: extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding (may indicate premalignant changes)

• lower abdominalThe abdomen (from the Latin word meaning "belly") is the part of the body between the pelvis and the thorax. The front of the abdomen is the abdominal cavity, which is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm. The lining of the abdomen is calle pain or pelvic cramping

thin white or clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women

3 Signs

Results from a pelvic examination are frequently normal, especially in the early stages of disease. Changes in the size, shape or consistency of the uterus and/or its surrounding, supporting structures may exist when the disease is more advanced.

• A Pap smearThe pap smear as we know it is an invention of Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou ( 1883- 1962), an American of Greek birth, the father of cytopathology. He first published a large series of cases in Diagnosis of uterine cancer by the vaginal smear (Papanicolaou & may be either normal or show abnormal cellular changes.
• Endometrial aspirationSee: Aspiration (phonetics) Aspiration (medicine) Aspiration (long-term hope) see for example, Robert Goddard's response to the ridicule by the New York Times, 1920: "Every vision is a joke until the first man accomplishes it; once realized, it becomes co or biopsyA biopsy is a medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination. The tissue is often examined under a microscope and can also be analyzed chemically (for example, using PCR techniques). When only a sample of tissue is removed, the pro may assist the diagnosis.
• A dilation and curettageDilation and curettage is a gynaecological procedure performed on the female reproductive system. The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting instruments to clean out the lining of the uterus while the woman is under an anaesthetic. D&Cs are ( D and C ) procedure is usually necessary for diagnosing and evaluating the cancer.