Patients may also experience cyclical bleeding, pain in the abdomen and lower back, and light tarry selection before menstruation. Treatment depends on the patient’s individual status, age, habitus, and general health. A CT scan and/or transvaginal ultrasound may be performed to detect the presence of tumors or nodal spread.
The presence of cancer is often suspected by a high level of CA-125 protein. This level may be a sign of cancer elsewhere in the body. MRI and CT scans, both of which use powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the internal organs, can also be used to diagnose endometriosis. Another diagnostic procedure involves inserting a probe through the vagina to take pictures of the uterus and endometrium.
Type 1 endometriosis cancer is less aggressive than type 2, and 80% of cases do not spread outside the uterus. Type 1 endometrial cancer is often benign, but it can spread to other areas of the body. The cancerous cells may not die after a certain period of time, and they can even invade the lining of the uterus. Although the causes of endometriosis cancer are unknown, experts believe that changes in female hormones contribute to the development of cancer.
Type 2 endometrial cancer is the most common type. The risk of developing it increases as the cancer progresses. Its 5-year survival rate is lower than that of other types of uterine cancer, but it’s still higher than the survival rate of all types of uterine cancers combined. And when cancer spreads to other areas of the body, the survival rate decreases dramatically. The cancer may spread to lymphatic tissues, in which case the survival rate is only 17%.
In addition to abnormal vaginal bleeding, endometriosis cancer can also occur as a result of menopause. While the symptoms of menopause can cause menstrual irregularities, menopausal hormone therapy can lead to abnormal vaginal bleeding and vaginal dryness. A physician can help you determine whether or not your symptoms indicate endometrial cancer. When you feel pain in your abdomen or pelvic area, you should schedule a visit to your doctor for a diagnosis.
Women who have irregular menstrual cycles, women who go through menopause late in life, and women who first menstruate before age 12, are at higher risk of developing endometrial cancer. In addition to menopause, women who never become pregnant, are prone to developing endometriosis cancer, and women with infertility may be at risk for it. The disease can be treated if detected early.
Treatments for endometriosis cancer depend on their stage. Type 1 endometrial cancers tend to remain within the uterus and exhibit a favorable prognosis. However, high-grade type 2 endometriosis cancers typically spread to distant organs through the lymphatic system. Patients who receive chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery have a worse prognosis.
