While a hysterectomy is one option, it’s not for everyone. In fact, a younger woman might not want this option, and that’s OK too. Hormone therapy may be an option as well. Advanced womb cancer requires a different treatment approach. While it may never be fully cured, treatment aims to achieve a remission.
Women with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing womb cancer than women without diabetes. This is because diabetes increases the level of insulin in the body, which in turn increases the levels of oestrogen. Similarly, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop womb cancer. Women with PCOS have high levels of oestrogen and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is a disorder characterized by multiple cysts in the ovary. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth. Endometrial hyperplasia, which thickens the lining of the womb, also increases the risk of womb cancer.
The grading system used to classify womb cancer is based on the abnormal cells under the microscope. This gives medical teams an idea of the extent of the cancer and the rate of its growth and spread. Womb cancer is classified into three stages: Stage 0 (which is the most severe), stage 1, stage 2 (the slowest-growing), and stage 3. Women with womb cancer of any grade may receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment, either to prevent the cancer from returning or to slow its spread.
A biopsy, also known as endometrial biopsy, involves removing tissue from the lining of the womb and checking it in a lab. This is a minor surgical procedure that removes a small sample of endometrium. The biopsy also requires a hysteroscopy, a procedure that allows your doctor to examine your womb from inside. A hysteroscopic examination is usually conducted before a hysterectomy, a minor surgery that allows your doctor to remove a small amount of tissue.
Currently, women are not routinely screened for womb cancer, but there are ways to detect it if you have symptoms of a disease. A pap test, pelvic exam, and biopsy are all ways to detect womb cancer. The early diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment. Patients are often referred to an oncologist for treatment after their initial diagnosis. When a woman’s symptoms become more pronounced, she will receive a second opinion.
In the UK, there are approximately 8,500 cases of womb cancer each year. Most of these cases are hormone-related adenocarcinomas. These cancers tend to strike women aged 50 to 70. While women under 50 are also susceptible, the chances of survival are higher in early-stage womb cancer. The earlier it’s discovered, the more treatment options will be available. For more information on womb cancer, visit Cancer Research UK and Macmillan.
