Uterine cancer is one of the more common cancers in women, with over 41,000 cases diagnosed each year. Uterine cancer can technically be divided into endometrial cancer, or cancer of the uterine lining, and uterine sarcoma, which is a cancer arising from the myometrium, or muscle tissue of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is far more common, and when referring to “uterine cancer” in this article, we will use the term to mean endometrial cancer only.

What are the Causes of Uterine Cancer?

What actually causes uterine cancer is unknown. An exposure to high levels of estrogen is known to increase the incidence of uterine cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Uterine Cancer?

• Vaginal bleeding even after menopause
• Bleeding between periods before menopause
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain/pelvic cramps

Who Is Likely To Get Uterine Cancer?

• Older women (diagnosis often occurs after age 50; avg. age at diagnosis is 60)
• Women with an early first menstruation (before age 12)
• Women with a late menopause (after age 52)
• Women exposed to high levels of estrogen (oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy)
• Women who have never been pregnant
• Women with a family history of the disease
• Women with endometrial hyperplasia (profusion of abnormal endometrial cells)
• Women on long-term tamoxifen therapy.
• Diabetics.

What Does Treatment for Uterine Cancer Involve?

Surgery

Surgery remains far and away the preferred method for treatment of uterine cancer. Because most endometrial cancers are found early, surgical removal offers an excellent chance at curing the patient.

Most surgeons will recommend a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), or for a more complete removal, a hysterectomy with removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). The predominant technique utilized is the abdominal hysterectomy. As the name implies, the incision and access to the uterus is via an abdominal incision. This allows for a better view and easier dissection of the necessary areas. As an alternative, hysterectomy can also be performed via a vaginal incision, and a laparoscopic approach is also possible. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

What Are The Advantages Of Surgery?

Surgery is the best choice for a cure if the cancer is localized to the uterus.

How Long Does It Take?

A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy takes about 2-3 hours.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Only one surgery is required, as the affected areas are removed permanently and completely.

What Are My Alternatives to Treat Uterine Cancer?

• Radiation
• Radiation may be recommended even after hysterectomy to ensure that no wayward cancer cells have escaped treatment.
• Chemotherapy
• If there is evidence of spread beyond the endometrium, chemotherapy may be indicated. Doxorubicin with either cisplatin or paclitaxel has proven useful.

Will I Have Pain?

Pain is sometimes, but not always a symptom of the disease. If you have surgery such as a hysterectomy, it is a major procedure and there may be postoperative pain, but this is manageable with prescription analgesics.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

For the standard abdominal procedure, we recommend the patient wait 3-6 weeks before going back to work, but some patients undergoing the laparoscopic surgery have returned to work in as few as 10 days.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

One of our board-certified gynecologists will perform the procedure.

How Much Does It Cost?

Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover Uterine Cancer Treatment?

Insurance should cover this condition and any approved treatments.