Treatment options for uterine cancer include surgery, radiation and hormone therapy. Surgery is the most common way to remove a tumor. Radiation is also a common treatment option, and is sometimes combined with surgery. Radiation can shrink the tumor prior to surgery, and may also kill remaining cancer cells. Women with cancer of the womb may also receive chemotherapy before or after surgery. Chemotherapy involves drugs that destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery.
Most women with womb cancer have undergone menopause before developing the disease. Although a small percentage of cases can be caused by gene changes passed down in families, symptoms of womb cancer can be very early. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause, is the most common symptom of the disease, and should be investigated by a doctor. Painful intercourse and abnormal vaginal bleeding are also symptoms of womb cancer, so women who are experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding should see their doctor right away.
A woman’s risk for womb cancer increases with age. The risk of developing uterine cancer is higher in women over 50, but certain factors may increase the risk. Some factors include age, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, and some drugs, such as tamoxifen, which is used to prevent breast cancer. Women with a history of cancer in their family may be at a greater risk than women without the disease.
In addition to these tests, a woman may also undergo hysteroscopy. A doctor will insert a thin plastic tube into the vagina and use a camera to examine the lining of the womb. A hysteroscopy can reveal abnormal blood flow or a lump in the womb. This procedure is usually accompanied by a biopsy. The results will reveal whether the cancer is benign or malignant.
In addition to a pelvic exam, a woman’s gynecologist may perform an ultrasound scan to determine the size and location of the tumour. The ultrasound scans can help the doctor evaluate the tumor and its spread. While there is no specific cure for womb cancer, an early diagnosis may improve chances of a successful outcome. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, it may be curable without the need for chemotherapy.
Patients with womb cancer may find it helpful to talk to others who have experienced the same symptoms. There are support groups, telephone helplines and discussion forums for women undergoing cancer treatment. People suffering from womb cancer often have new symptoms after treatment. These symptoms do not mean the cancer has returned; however, they do warrant further assessment. Symptoms of new symptoms after a hysterectomy should be discussed with your GP or health professional.
In the UK, approximately 8,500 women are diagnosed with womb cancer each year. The condition affects around five per cent of women’s cancers and is the most common among women. It is a type of endometrial cancer that starts in the lining of the womb. A majority of cases of womb cancer are caught by irregular vaginal bleeding, which is often pink and watery or dark and foul-smelling.
