Uterine cancer: causes, symptoms, treatment. Uterine cancer: first signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival How effective is treatment for uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer is one of the most common cancer diseases. The causes of cancer are not known to medicine. Based on practical experience, doctors have established a connection between hypertension, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and smoking, which contribute to the development of uterine cancer. Early onset of sexual activity and poor personal hygiene can subsequently lead to uterine cancer. In 70% of cases, cancer affects the cervix.

Symptoms

At the first stage, the symptoms of the disease do not manifest themselves. The disease proceeds secretly. To detect it, it is recommended to be examined by a gynecologist at least once a year.

Signs

The appearance of bloody discharge from the vagina, mucus and watery discharge of a purulent nature are clear signs of the disease. Pain in the lower abdomen of a pulling nature or in the lumbar region, taking on the character of renal colic. The appearance of the first symptoms requires immediate examination and consultation with a specialist. To determine the first stage of cancer, data from smear and blood tests are needed. If conditions permit, hysteroscopy can be done.

Metastases.

The first stage of the disease is characterized by the absence of metastases. The lesion is located inside the uterus. The disease does not yet pose a mortal danger.

How long do they live and what is the prognosis?

Stage one uterine cancer is almost completely curable. The disease does not limit the patient's life. It is important to understand the potential danger of this insidious disease. In recent years, treatment methods have changed significantly, achieving high efficiency. If the disease is detected at the first stage, the five-year survival rate is 86-98%.

Surgery to remove a tumor is one of the radical methods of treatment. However, surgical intervention is limited by contraindications for hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. In these cases, other methods are used, for example, cryocoagulation, hormone therapy. Chemotherapy is used as an addition to the current treatment methods.

Timely treatment is the most important condition for achieving the desired result. At the same time, you need to remember the role of a properly chosen diet. The diet of a cancer patient should be different from the usual diet of a healthy person. The predominance of dietary and vegetarian foods in the daily menu can provide invaluable help against uterine cancer. Vegetarian recipes are simple and do not require much time. It is necessary to exclude alcoholic drinks, smoked foods, sweet and salty foods from the daily diet. Preference should be given to stewed or raw vegetables, freshly squeezed juices, and fruits.

The first place in incidence among gynecological cancers is uterine cancer, or endometrial cancer. In Russia, up to 16 thousand new cases of the disease are detected every year, and the number of cases is constantly increasing.

The pathology mainly affects women after 60 years of age, but can also occur at a younger age. About 40% of patients become ill before menopause. In the last decade, the incidence rate has increased most rapidly in women under 29 years of age.

The tumor is accompanied by the rapid onset of symptoms that force the woman to see a doctor. This results in up to 90% of uterine cancer cases being diagnosed at an early stage, which significantly improves the prognosis.

Causes and risk factors

For many cancer pathologies, the exact cause of their occurrence is unknown. This also applies to uterine cancer. Pathology is considered a “disease of civilization” that occurs under the influence of unfavorable external conditions, dietary habits and lifestyle.

Factors predisposing to uterine cancer:

• late first menstruation;
• only after 55 years;
• long;
• and hormonally active tumor of these organs (Brenner's cancer);
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• long-term use of estrogen hormones without combination with gestagens;
• treatment with antiestrogenic drugs (Tamoxifen);
• lack of sexual activity or pregnancy;
• cases of illness in close relatives.

Endometrial cancer of the uterus occurs against the background of a complex of disturbances in hormonal balance, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

The main pathogenetic types of the disease:

• hormonal-dependent (in 70% of patients);
• autonomous.

In the first option, ovulation disorders in combination with obesity or diabetes lead to increased production of estrogen. Acting on the inner uterine layer - the endometrium, estrogens cause increased proliferation of its cells and their increase in size and change in properties. Gradually, hyperplasia becomes malignant, developing into precancer and uterine cancer.

Hormone-dependent uterine cancer is often combined with a tumor of the intestine, breast or ovary, as well as with ovarian sclerocystosis (Stein-Leventhal syndrome). This tumor grows slowly. It is sensitive to progestogens and has a relatively favorable course.

Signs that increase the risk of hormone-dependent cancer:

• infertility, late menopause, anovulatory bleeding;
• ovaries and hyperplastic processes in them (thecomatosis);
• obesity;
• improper treatment with estrogen, adrenal adenoma or cirrhosis of the liver, causing hormonal changes.

The autonomous variant often develops in postmenopausal women against the background of ovarian and endometrial atrophy. There is no hormonal dependence. The tumor is characterized by a malignant course, quickly spreading deep into the tissues and through the lymphatic vessels.

There is a genetic theory of cancer, according to which cell mutations are programmed into DNA.

The main stages of the formation of a malignant tumor of the uterus:

• lack of ovulation and increased estrogen levels under the influence of provoking factors;
• development of background processes - polyps and endometrial hyperplasia;
• precancerous disorders - atypia with hyperplasia of epithelial cells;
• preinvasive cancer that does not penetrate beyond the mucous membrane;
• minimal penetration into the myometrium;
• pronounced form.

Classification

Cancer of the uterine body is classified depending on the size of the tumor, its penetration into the muscle layer, growth in surrounding organs, damage to the lymph nodes and the presence of distant metastases. Both the TNM staging system and the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FIGO) staging are used.

A tumor that does not extend beyond the endometrium is called preinvasive. It is designated as carcinoma in situ, Tis, or stage 0.

There are 4 stages of uterine cancer

1. The tumor affects only the body of the uterus:

• endometrium (T1a or IA);
• myometrium to half depth (T1b or IB);
• more than half the depth of the myometrium (T1c or IC).

2. Malignant cells are found in the cervix:

• only in the glandular layer (T2a or IIA);
• the tumor penetrates into the deep layers of the cervix (T2b or IIB).

3. The tumor spreads to the vagina, appendages or lymph nodes:

• damage to the outer serous layer of the uterus and/or appendages (T3a or IIIA);
• spread to the vagina (T3b or IIIB);
• there are metastases to the pelvic or peri-aortic lymph nodes (N1 or IIIC).

4. Stage 4 uterine cancer with metastases:

• into the bladder or rectum (T4 or IVA);
• to the lungs, liver, bones, distant lymph nodes (M1 or IVB).

In addition, different degrees of differentiation of tumor cells are distinguished: from G1 (high degree of cell maturity) to 3 (poorly differentiated tumor). The more pronounced the differentiation, the slower the tumor grows and the less likely it is to metastasize. With poorly differentiated cancer, the prognosis worsens.

Depending on the microscopic structure, the following morphological types of cancer are distinguished:

• adenocarcinoma;
• light cell;
• squamous;
• glandular squamous;
• serous;
• mucinous;
• undifferentiated.

The morphological type largely determines malignancy. Thus, the course of undifferentiated cancer is unfavorable, but with a squamous cell tumor the likelihood of recovery is quite high.

The neoplasm can grow exophytically (into the lumen of the uterus), endophytically (into the thickness of the muscle wall) or have a mixed nature.

Cancer is localized in the area of ​​the fundus and body of the uterus; tumors are found less frequently in its lower segment.

Symptoms

Often, a patient consults a doctor when she experiences the first signs of uterine cancer in the early stages. First of all, this is irregular bleeding in young women that does not coincide with the menstrual cycle. Postmenopausal women experience uterine bleeding. Young patients develop light leucorrhoea.

Bleeding occurs not only with endometrial cancer, but also with many other diseases. This can lead to difficulties in early diagnosis of the disease, especially in young women. They can be observed for a long time about.

Other symptoms of uterine cancer appear in later stages. When blood accumulates in the organ cavity, pain appears in the lower abdomen. Long-term pain syndrome occurs when the tumor grows on the appendages and spreads throughout the peritoneum.

Copious watery or mucous discharge due to uterine cancer is typical for older women.

If the bladder is damaged, frequent painful urination may occur. If the rectum is involved, constipation, pain during bowel movements, and blood in the stool appear.

General signs of cancer pathology are weakness, deterioration in performance, nausea, lack of appetite, weight loss.

How quickly does uterine cancer develop?

With a high degree of differentiation, the tumor grows slowly over several years. Poorly differentiated forms have a high rate of proliferation of malignant cells. In this case, a clinically pronounced tumor can develop within several months.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells is possible through the lymphatic tract, blood vessels and peritoneum.

Lymphogenic metastasis occurs in the nearest (regional) pelvic lymph nodes. At an early stage and high differentiation (G1-G2), the probability of lymph node involvement does not exceed 1%. If cancer cells invade the myometrium, the risk of metastasis increases to 6%. If the tumor affects a large area, penetrates deep into the uterine wall or spreads to the cervix, metastases in the lymph nodes are found in 25% of patients.

Hematogenous metastasis occurs later. Tumor cells travel through blood vessels to the lungs, bones and liver.

Implantation metastases occur on the peritoneum and omentum when the outer layer of the uterus grows and the fallopian tubes are damaged.

Diagnostics

Screening studies for early detection of formation are not carried out. It is believed that for timely recognition you only need to be observed annually by a gynecologist.

Analysis for tumor markers, the most common of which is CA-125, is usually not performed. It is considered an additional method for assessing the effectiveness of treatment and early detection of relapses.

The simplest diagnostic method is aspiration of the contents of the uterus with a special syringe and histological examination (). At an early stage, the information content of this method does not exceed 36%; with a widespread tumor, its signs can be detected in 90% of patients. To increase the accuracy of the study, it can be carried out repeatedly. Aspiration biopsy does not require dilation of the cervical canal and is performed on an outpatient basis.

Instrumental diagnosis of uterine cancer:

• : The thickness of the endometrium in postmenopausal women should not exceed 4 mm.
• with a biopsy of a suspicious area of ​​the endometrium and its microscopic examination.

To determine the extent of the tumor and damage to the lymph nodes, it is carried out. Unlike ultrasound, the method helps to clarify the condition of the lymph nodes in 82% of patients.

An X-ray of the lungs is required to exclude metastases in them.

Is uterine cancer visible on ultrasound?

The doctor should be alerted to ultrasound data of the uterus if an increase in M-echo (endometrial thickness) of more than 4 mm in elderly women or 10-16 mm in patients before menopause is recorded.

If the M-echo value is more than 12 mm in young women, aspiration biopsy is prescribed. If this value is 5-12 mm, hysteroscopy and targeted biopsy are performed (taking material from a suspicious area).

If a tumor is detected on ultrasound, you can determine:

• size and contours of the uterus;
• myometrial structure;
• tumor location;
• depth of germination into the myometrium;
• damage to the internal pharynx, ovaries and lymph nodes.

Additional information is provided by color Doppler mapping - ultrasound examination of blood vessels, which allows one to assess the speed and intensity of blood flow in the vessels of the uterus and the tumor focus.

Hysteroscopy is the most important diagnostic method, allowing one to assess the severity and extent of the tumor and take material for histological analysis.

If uterine cancer is suspected, it is necessary to perform the walls of the cervical canal and endometrium.

How to detect uterine cancer with minimal lesion size?

A modern method for detecting the early stages of endometrial cancer is fluorescent diagnostics. Special substances are introduced into the body that selectively accumulate in cancer cells. When the inner surface of the uterus is irradiated with a laser, these substances begin to glow. This allows you to see tumor foci up to 1 mm and take a targeted biopsy. At an early stage, the sensitivity of such diagnostics reaches 80%.

The diagnosis is finally confirmed by uterine curettage. If the tumor is located in the upper part of the organ, it is recognized in 78% of cases, and with widespread lesions - in 100% of cases.

Uterine cancer must be differentiated from the following diseases:

• endometrial hyperplasia;

Treatment

If a woman is diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the reproductive system, the patient should be observed by a gynecological oncologist.

Treatment of uterine cancer is based on various combinations of three methods:

1. Operation.
2. Irradiation.
3. Drug therapy.

The main method of treatment performed at any stage of the disease is removal of the uterus and appendages. If there is a poorly differentiated tumor or it penetrates deeply into the muscular layer of the organ, the pelvic lymph nodes, which may contain metastases, are additionally removed.

The operation is performed in 90% of women with an early stage of the disease. For others, it is contraindicated due to severe concomitant diseases. The development of new methods of surgical intervention makes it possible to expand the possibilities of surgical treatment.

If the tumor does not penetrate deeper than 3 mm, it can be removed by ablation (“cauterization”) during hysteroscopy. This way you can save the organ. However, the likelihood of incomplete removal of the lesion is quite high, therefore, after such treatment, regular monitoring by an oncologist in a specialized institution is necessary.

Radiation therapy for uterine cancer as an independent method of treatment is rarely used, only when it is impossible to remove the organ. Most often, radiation is given after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy) to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

This combination is indicated in the following cases:

• deep germination of the neoplasm into the myometrium;
• spread to the cervical canal and cervix;
• metastases to lymph nodes;
• poorly differentiated or non-endometrioid tumor.

Modern treatment methods: radiotherapy – IMRT and brachytherapy. The IMRT method involves targeted irradiation of the tumor with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Brachytherapy is the introduction of special radioactive substances into the tumor site that act directly on cancer cells.

For endometrial precancer in young women, hormonal therapy with progestins is possible. These hormones block the activating effect of estrogen on the tumor, preventing its further growth. Hormones are used for advanced (disseminated) cancer, as well as for its recurrence. Their efficiency does not exceed 25%.

At an early stage, taking hormones according to a certain scheme lasts about a year. The effectiveness of therapy is monitored using a biopsy. If the result is favorable, the normal menstrual cycle is restored over the next 6 months. Subsequently, a normal pregnancy is possible.

Chemotherapy is prescribed for poorly differentiated uterine cancer and non-endometrioid tumors, disseminated and recurrent cancer, if the tumor does not respond to the influence of gestagens. It is palliative in nature, that is, it is aimed at reducing severe symptoms caused by the tumor, but does not cure the disease. Drugs from the groups of anthracyclines, taxanes, and platinum derivatives are used. Postoperative (adjuvant) chemotherapy is not prescribed.

At home, a woman needs to rest more. Those around her should protect her from emotional stress. Nutrition for uterine cancer is complete and varied, excluding refined carbohydrates (sugar), limiting animal fats, fried and canned foods, spices, chocolate and other irritating foods. Dairy products and plant foods are very useful.

It is believed that some plants help cope with the tumor or improve the patient’s well-being:

• green tea;
• turmeric;
• beet;
• tomatoes;

Treatment tactics depending on stage

The question of how to cure uterine cancer is decided by the doctor after a thorough analysis of all the diagnostic information received. This largely depends on the stage of the tumor.

For stage 1 cancer, complete removal of the uterus and appendages is used (total hysterectomy and).

This operation is carried out if all of the following conditions are met:

• moderate and high tumor differentiation;
• the formation occupies less than half of the organ cavity;
• the depth of myometrial growth is less than 50%;
• there are no signs of tumor spread throughout the peritoneum (no cancer cells were found in peritoneal washings).

If the depth of penetration into the muscle layer is more than half its thickness, intravaginal radiation therapy is prescribed after surgery.

In all other cases, removal of the genital organs is complemented by excision of the pelvic and, in some cases, para-aortic lymph nodes. Nodes located near the aorta are punctured during surgery and an urgent histological examination is performed. Based on its results, a decision is made to remove these formations.

After surgery, radiation is used. If surgery is not possible, only radiation therapy is used, but the effectiveness of such treatment is lower.

Hormonal therapy is not used at stage 1.

For stage 2 cancer, patients are advised to remove the uterus, appendages, pelvic (sometimes para-aortic) lymph nodes and postoperative radiation therapy. Irradiation is carried out according to a combined scheme: intravaginally and remotely.

For stage 3 cancer, combined surgical and radiation treatment is performed. If the tumor has grown into the walls of the pelvis, its complete removal is impossible. In this case, radiation therapy is prescribed through the vagina and remotely.

If radiotherapy and surgery are contraindicated, treatment depends on the hormonal sensitivity of the tumor: either progestins or chemotherapy are prescribed.

For grade 4 tumors, palliative chemotherapy in combination with hormones is used. These substances help destroy distant metastases of cancer in other organs.

Recurrence of the tumor is also treated with hormones and chemotherapy. For recurrent lesions located in the pelvis, palliative radiotherapy is performed. Relapses most often occur during the first 3 years after treatment. They are localized mainly in the vagina, lymph nodes and distant organs.

Uterine cancer and pregnancy

During pregnancy, pathological changes are almost impossible to recognize. Tumor growth during pregnancy is most often not observed. However, uterine cancer during pregnancy can be accompanied by miscarriage, placental abruption, fetal death and severe bleeding. In these cases, emergency delivery is performed followed by hysterectomy.

If a young woman has completed the full course of treatment with good results, she may become pregnant in the future. To restore fertility, doctors prescribe courses of hormonal therapy that restore normal reproductive function.

How long do they live with uterine cancer?

This depends on the stage of detection of the disease and sensitivity to hormones. With the hormone-dependent variant, 85-90% of patients live for 5 years or more. In the autonomous form in elderly women, this figure is 60-70%. However, in the 3rd stage of any form, life expectancy of more than 5 years is recorded in a third of patients, and in the 4th stage - only in 5% of cases.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. What is this? (the disease may be referred to as the abbreviation “CC”) is a malignant tumor of the female genital organs.

Most often it affects the female population after 45 years. But over the past few years, this disease has become somewhat younger.

In most cases, this terrible disease is gaining momentum unnoticed and with virtually no signs, and treatment for stage 1 cervical cancer is not prescribed on time. It can only be identified at an appointment with a gynecologist.

Causes of cancer

• a large number of abortions;
• inflammatory genital infections;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• long-term use of hormone-based medications;
• a large number of partners, both for the woman and her man;
• intimate life that began early;
• pregnancy at too early an age;
• bad habits (mainly smoking);
• violation of sexual hygiene.

Malignant formations can appear if you do not get rid of chronic erosion, endorcevicosis, dysplasia, adenomatosis, and endorcervitis.

Signs of stage 1 cervical cancer are almost invisible. The patient does not have any anxiety or concern, and therefore she does not go to the doctor.

As a rule, a cancerous tumor is discovered by chance, but then it is no longer stage 1 of development, but already the second, if not worse. That is why girls need to be regularly observed by a gynecologist as much as possible, so that the initial stage is missed.

Over the past 30 years, incidence rates have decreased. Awareness and screening help reduce mortality from a diagnosis of cervical carcinoma, but its occurrence is still striking.

In 2014, there were approximately 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer.

Some symptoms of stage 1 cancer

Here are the signs of cervical cancer, which will most often help to recognize the symptoms in the early stages of the disease and reduce the risk of mortality from this disease:

1. Leg pain.
   This indicator can often go unnoticed, but is one of the first physical signs of a problem. When attacked by cancer cells, the organ will swell and blood flow to the lower extremities will be reduced, causing the legs to ache and swell.
2. Painful urination.
   The cervix and urinary tract are more interconnected than you might think. Urinary tract infections can be the result of bacterial contamination from the vaginal walls and therefore, metastatic cervical cancer will cause irritation and inflammation of the muscles around the bladder and make urination very painful. As a rule, this will be a sure sign of the spread of the disease, which will metastasize to surrounding tissues, and must be immediately diagnosed by a doctor in order to begin treatment.
3. Abnormal discharge.
   Vaginal discharge should be relatively odorless and without any particular color. One of the first signs of a problem in the vagina is discharge, which has an unpleasant color and odor. Fungal infections should not be left untreated, as they can become a barrier to further control of the disease.
4. Unusual bleeding.
   One of the most common and alarming symptoms is heavy and unscheduled bleeding. When fighting abnormal cells, the female organ will try to form a protective coating, and as a result, unscheduled menstruation.
5. Uncomfortable sensations.
   Uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the vagina during sexual intercourse may be a sign of other diseases; this should never be ignored.
6. Irregularity of menstruation.
   For most women, there is a level of normality or consistency in their menstrual cycle, and any sudden changes or missed periods can be a sign of poor health and may be malignant in nature. If the irregularity persists, then you should take note of any daily diet or medication changes and talk to your doctor so that therapy can be prescribed.
7. Irregular urination.
   Similar to the menstrual cycle, the urinary tract must function in a cycle and irregular urination or incontinence, or a very small amount, is one of the early symptoms of the disease. Even more significant is the appearance of blood in the urine, which may indicate a severe stage of the disease.
8. Pelvic pain.
   Pelvic pain is not uncommon for many women, but severe or acute pelvic pain outside of menstruation may indicate cancer.
9. Lower back pain.
   Sometimes pelvic pain can affect the supporting muscles of the lower back, causing them to tighten. It is important that you pay attention to the cause of any lower back discomfort, as this is often the most undiagnosed symptom of this terrible disease.
10. Radical weight loss and fatigue.
    Cervical cancer stage 1, stage 2, 3 and 4, no different from other types of this disease, reduces the production of healthy red blood cells, as a result, the number of white blood cells can make the body weak and tired, as well as lack of appetite are all symptoms early stage cervical cancer.

Of course, every patient with such a diagnosis has the question: “How long do they live?” A normal life with a cancerous tumor is possible until the onset of metastasis.

And this happens differently for every woman. You can live with such a diagnosis as the first stage of cervical cancer for a very long time. It all depends on how quickly it begins to develop.

23.10.2018

The main problem that cancerous tumors of the female reproductive organs are detected at a later stage is the problem of diagnosing it in the early stages.

Uterine cancer can be classified as stage 1 cancer; its development occurs without the manifestation of any symptoms. If it is recognized and treatment is started on time, then a positive outcome of therapy is guaranteed.

Uterine cancer is one of the oncological neoplasms on the cervix or damage to the endometrium. This cancerous disease is diagnosed in the fair sex after fifty years, but the disease has begun to “rejuvenate.”

Symptoms of the disease

Doctors have found that the disease does not manifest symptoms in the early stages of development, but there are signs by which it can be recognized.

Stage 1 uterine cancer is recognized by five main symptoms:

1. Bleeding from the uterus. Doctors consider this the first sign of cancer. When this symptom occurs after the onset of menopause, it indicates the onset of cancer. The therapy started is quite successful.
2. Discharge similar to mucus. These secretions indicate that oncological education has reached a certain level of development. Sometimes you can observe the accumulation of such secretions in the uterine cavity. During this, a woman may experience pain similar to premenstrual pain.
3. Watery discharge. This symptom indicates that a cancerous tumor is developing. As the disease develops, such discharge becomes purulent and an unpleasant odor appears.
4. Purulent discharge. This is a symptom for uterine cancer, which indicates accumulated purulent discharge in the organ cavity.
5. Painful sensations. Some kind of pathology develops in the reproductive system. The nature of the pain is nagging and it appears mainly in the evening and at night. As the disease develops, the pain becomes similar to kidney pain.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis of cancer is aimed at the stage of development of the tumor. She will help you choose a treatment method. If the disease can be diagnosed at an early stage of development, then the disease can be cured.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to apply a comprehensive diagnosis. Only with the help of this method will it be possible to establish the stage of the disease and the affected area.

The following methods are used for diagnosis:

• Patient complaints. In other words, it is necessary to collect an anamnesis. This means that the doctor conducts a survey, carefully studies the patient’s medical history, her previous tests and palpation. After processing this information, the doctor suggests possible causes for the development of cancer.
• Visual gynecological examination, this procedure is carried out using a gynecological speculum. Thus, the doctor can see the presence or absence of pathology in the uterus. In addition, an examination of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and other pathological formations is carried out. If, however, pathology has been identified, then a biopsy is prescribed.
• Biopsy. This is a painless procedure that is performed in an outpatient setting. As a result, a piece of the affected biological material is taken from the patient for examination. With its help, you can identify oncology before stage 1 has passed. Although as a result of the educational process it is possible to identify it in 40% of cases.
• Cytological examination. It is carried out when the doctor suspects the presence of a cancerous tumor. To do this, it is necessary to examine a sample of the resulting affected tissue.
• Ultrasound. It is considered the most effective and therefore the most common diagnostic method. Ultrasound examination will help to accurately determine:

1. Cancerous tumor in the uterine cavity.
2. Damage area.
3. Tumor structure.
4. Localization area.
5. Damage to the appendages.
6. Possible metastases.

• MRI and CT. They are carried out as an additional study to an ultrasound scan. With their help, it will be possible to determine whether the lymph nodes and bones are affected by metastases. Because ultrasound cannot show this.
• Hysteroscopy. This is a modern diagnostic method that is used to establish or refute a cancer diagnosis. The procedure is carried out using an endoscope, which is used to examine uterine cancer and remove damaged tissue for examination. This method is 100% effective.

Treatment of the disease

There are many ways to treat cancers that occur in the female genital area and they are all quite effective. All of them are used in parallel with traditional methods.

Having determined stage 1 uterine cancer, it is impossible to say how long they will live. This depends on what treatment was chosen, but also on the development of the disease.

There are several methods of therapy:

• Surgical intervention. First-degree cancer is characterized by the presence of a cancerous formation in the uterine cavity that has not had time to metastasize. During this period, surgery will be performed. The result of this treatment is positive.

Removal is carried out in several ways:

• Radical removal, in which the uterus itself is removed, but the ovaries, tubes and cervix remain.
• Subtotal excision, in which only the cervix is ​​preserved.

Only this method has its contraindications, for example, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis. Then other treatment methods are needed:

1. Irradiation. It can be used as an independent method of therapy or in combination. The patient is usually irradiated before surgery, so that the size of the tumor decreases slightly, or as a prophylaxis after surgery, so that the disease does not recur. This method can be used if other methods are contraindicated. Radiation can be carried out in two ways: internal and external. Internal, carried out only in a hospital, and external can be used in an outpatient setting. Quite often, to improve the effect, two methods are carried out simultaneously.
2. Hormonal treatment. It is believed that this method will only help if the disease is diagnosed early. It can be used as a separate therapeutic method or in parallel with surgery.
3. Chemotherapy. This means that the tumor will be exposed to various chemicals that can stop the development of cancer. It must be used in combination with therapeutic methods. Such treatment can begin when the stage of the disease is diagnosed; it has side effects. It has a detrimental effect on cancer cells; this method can also kill healthy ones, which negatively affects the patient’s condition.

Disease prognosis

The prognosis, when stage 1 cancer is detected, is quite good with a five-year survival rate. How long the patient will live will depend on the timely diagnosis of the disease, the selected method of therapy, the age of the patient and the condition of her body.

If the disease is detected in time, then the five-year survival rate can reach 90%. We can say that this is a victory over cancer. Not every doctor can boast of results.

Preventive measures

Women who may be at risk for this disease are advised by doctors to undergo regular preventive examinations, use special medications, and undergo replacement therapy during menopause. It is necessary to take care of nutrition and weight loss.

Today's scientists have developed a vaccine that helps prevent the development of cancer; this is the first drug - Gardasil. You can also use barrier contraception. This method will help reduce the risk of cancer and prevent the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases and the human papillomavirus.

The preventive measures and examinations carried out will help to avoid cancer of the uterus.

Content

After 45 years of age, women are at risk of getting uterine cancer due to hormonal changes, so you should be aware of the first signs and symptoms of the disease in order to prevent it. The initial stages of the disease are asymptomatic, but the development of oncology can be suspected with regular examination by a gynecologist. The sooner a pathology is detected, the sooner it can be treated in order to avoid serious consequences.

What is uterine cancer

In medical terminology, uterine carcinoma is the development of a malignant tumor in the female genital organ. It is the main one for bearing a child and is responsible for a woman’s reproduction. In appearance, the uterus resembles a hollow, flattened sac with an angle, consisting of a body and a cervix. Inside, it is lined with endometrium, which is shed and released out with each menstruation. Oncology of this organ is extremely dangerous and can lead to death.

Reasons

Doctors have identified a number of reasons that influence the occurrence of cancer inside the uterine cavity and cause the rapid growth of cancer cells:

• absence of childbirth;
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• taking hormonal medications due to hormonal imbalance, but not birth control pills;
• infertility, menstrual irregularities;
• early menstruation and late menopause;
• polycystic ovaries, their tumors;
• breast cancer due to lack of breastfeeding;
• hereditary colon cancer without polyps:
• past endometrial dysfunction;
• age over 45 years;
• difficult pregnancies, miscarriages, abortions.

Classification

According to oncological data, there are several types of classifications of malignant neoplasms:

1. According to the morphological form - adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, clear cell (mesonephroid) adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, glandular squamous cell oncology, serous, mucinous, undifferentiated cancer.
2. According to the form of growth - with predominantly exo- or endophytic, mixed autonomous growth.
3. By localization - in the area of ​​the bottom, body, lower segment.
4. According to the degree of differentiation (the lower, the worse) – highly differentiated, moderately differentiated, poorly differentiated cancer.
5. According to the ICD code, according to the FIGO classification - its own types with digital and letter codes.

Forecast

In 90% of cases, cervical and ovarian cancer is completely cured through surgery and subsequent radiotherapy. If cancer is detected in time, it is possible to prevent the development of metastases and improve the survival prognosis. Depending on the stage, the prognosis will be as follows:

• in the first – 78% of patients survive the first five years;
• on the second – 57%;
• third – 31%;
• fourth - 7.8%.

Stages of uterine cancer

Oncology develops gradually, starting from stage zero, when only the first rudiments of cancer cells can be detected. The main stages of development are considered:

• first – the tumor affects the endometrium or grows into the muscle layer (myometrium);
• the second is the development of a tumor on the neck (collus uterus);
• third – the cancer goes beyond the uterus, spreads to the vagina, pelvic or lumbar lymph nodes;
• fourth - germination into the bladder, rectum;
• metastasis – the appearance of metastases in the liver, lungs, and inguinal lymph nodes.

Endometrial cancer

A malignant tumor of the mucous membrane lining the cavity from the inside is the initial cancer of the endometrium of the uterus. It occurs after menopause, 72% of detection occurs in the first stage. The cause of development is estrogenization - due to an excess of the female sex hormone, endometrial hyperplasia begins. Types of endometrial oncology:

• simple hyperplasia without atypia;
• complex adenomatous without atypia;
• simple atypical – precancerous condition of a malignant neoplasm (MN);
• complex atypical – degenerates into cancer with a probability of 80%.

Cancer of the uterus

The next stage after damage to the endometrium is considered to be a tumor of the uterine body. Oncology of the uterus develops from the tissues of the mucous membrane (adenocarcinoma) or muscular tissue (leiomyosarcoma). The growth of a malignant tumor occurs in the fundus, isthmus, and uterine cavity. Cells metastasize to adjacent tissues, to the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, lymph nodes, and blood vessels.

Cervical cancer

A malignant tumor often found in women is cervical cancer. 85% of its cases are due to the emergence of neoplasms from flat epithelial cells, the remaining 15% are adenocarcinoma, arising from cells that produce mucus. There are exo- and endophytic forms that affect the vagina or uterine body. The papillary type is characterized by the growth of small papillae (looks like cauliflower), and the crater-shaped type is characterized by the covering of the tumor with ulcers and a gray coating. The cause of tumor growth is often the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Uterine and ovarian cancer

After damage to the cervix and in the absence of treatment, oncology reaches the ovaries, which serve to produce hormones. The disease is asymptomatic, but can manifest itself in pain, constipation, and compression of the bladder. Types of ovarian oncology:

• mucinous;
• serous;
• endometrioid;
• Brener's tumor;
• clear cell;
• mixed epithelial;
• carcinoma;
• sex cord stroma;
• lipoid cell;
• soft tissue lesions;
• germinal;
• secondary;
• gonadoblastoma;
• cysts.

An ovarian tumor develops in one organ, quickly spreads to the second, and affects one of them completely. The formation affects the fallopian tubes, body, and abdominal cavity. The third stage is manifested by infection of the lymph nodes, inguinal, and ends with metastases in the liver and lungs. 80% of patients at the first stage can be successfully cured of cancer; at later stages this figure is only 10%.

Metastasis

Metastases are understood as secondary foci of growth of malignant tumors. Endometrial tumor manifests itself in three types of metastasis:

• implantation - a path of decay involving the visceral peritoneum;
• lymphogenous – damage to the pelvic lymph nodes;
• hematogenous - damage to the lymph nodes and infection of the bones, liver, lungs.

Symptoms of uterine cancer

The first stages of uterine cancer are asymptomatic; only in postmenopause can one notice acyclic uterine bleeding or heavy, prolonged menstruation. Signs of uterine cancer in the early stages are watery vaginal discharge streaked with blood. A less common symptom is pain in the pelvis and abdomen, accompanied by short duration. Older women may experience stenosis (fusion) and accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.

First signs

Doctors identify the following first signs of uterine cancer, which characterize the disease, and if present, you should immediately consult a doctor:

• bleeding from the genitals, reminiscent of menstruation, but occurring suddenly;
• pain.

Discharge

Depending on the stage of tumor development, the type, format and volume of discharge differs, both during menstruation and pathological:

• with oncology of the uterine body - serous leucorrhoea, pain, bleeding without reference to the cycle;
• at the first stage - light one-time uterine bleeding, watery discharge, odorless mucous membranes;
• in the last stages - foul-smelling discharge, blood-stained, pus, fever.

Diagnosis and treatment of uterine cancer

If symptoms of oncology are detected, you should urgently contact a gynecologist for examination and diagnosis. The doctor examines, palpates the uterus, and scrapes the cervix. The smear is examined for the presence of cancer cells; if the result is positive, the inner layer of the uterus is cleaned out under general anesthesia and a sample of the mucous membrane is performed. To confirm a cervical tumor, a CT scan is done to determine exactly where the tumor is located. Biopsy, hysteroscopy, immunohistochemical study, cytological method, MRI help to establish the etiology.

Oncology treatment is carried out in several ways, depending on the stage of development and severity of the disease:

1. The operation is the complete removal of the uterus and ovaries, if the tumor has affected them too. The fallopian tubes are removed. The surgical method leads to early menopause and deals a blow to the woman’s psyche.
2. Radiation therapy is prescribed for signs of disease after removal of the uterus. The procedure reduces the risk of cervical lesions and metastases. Radiotherapy can be carried out remotely (irradiation of all pelvic organs in several series) or internally (introduction of radioactive emitters at the site of pathology).
3. Hormone therapy – to exclude recurrence of cancer. Progesterone, hormonal drugs that reduce estrogen production, is prescribed.
4. Chemotherapy – to reduce tumor volume and in severe advanced cases.

Prevention of uterine cancer

To reduce the risk of cancer, elimination of hyperestrogenism and hormonal therapy are used. In addition, prevention includes:

• regular examination by a gynecologist, smear tests;
• performing ultrasound;
• taking combined oral contraceptives;
• excess weight loss;
• vaccination against HPV in the absence of contraindications.

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Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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