This caner is formed in the tissues lining the uterus (it is a small, pear-shaped hollow organ in woman’s pelvis). In the year 2010, 43,470 cases of endometrial cancer were found which resulted in 7,950 deaths.
Types
This caner is mainly of two kinds:
Most of the endometrial cancers are of this type that is usually adenocarcinomas. They are formed in the lining of endometrium and arise as a single layer of epithelial cell. It has many sub-types. Some classify carcinoma into tow pathogenetic groups:
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are the cancers that arise in the non-glandular connective tissues of the endometrium. Uterine carcinomasarcoma that was formerly called malignant mixed mullerian tumor is a rare cancer type that has glandular as well as sarcomatous cancer cells; but the origin of these cells is not known yet.
Symtoms of Endometrial Cancer
These are the signs that the patient experiences:
Women with these problems can be at a greater risk of developing endometrial cancer:
Types
This caner is mainly of two kinds:
- Carcinoma
- Sarcoma
Most of the endometrial cancers are of this type that is usually adenocarcinomas. They are formed in the lining of endometrium and arise as a single layer of epithelial cell. It has many sub-types. Some classify carcinoma into tow pathogenetic groups:
- Type I: Pre- and peri-menopausal women are mostly affected by these cancers. In many cases, they are less invasive into the underlying wall of uterus.
- Type II: These cancers are more common in African-American women and are likely to occur in older, post-menopausal age. Unlike Type I, these carry a poorer prognosis. Increased exposure to estrogen is not associated with Type II Carcinomas. The sub-types are:
- High-grade endometrioid cancer
- Uterine papillary serous carcinoma
- Uterine clear cell carcinoma
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are the cancers that arise in the non-glandular connective tissues of the endometrium. Uterine carcinomasarcoma that was formerly called malignant mixed mullerian tumor is a rare cancer type that has glandular as well as sarcomatous cancer cells; but the origin of these cells is not known yet.
Symtoms of Endometrial Cancer
These are the signs that the patient experiences:
- Spotting during postmenopausal age
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal menopausal periods
- Uterine bleeding
- Anemia
- Pelvic cramping or lower abdominal pain
- White or clear discharge from vagina in women with menopause.
Women with these problems can be at a greater risk of developing endometrial cancer:
- Obesity
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Hypertension
- Infertility
- Diabetes
- Tamoxifen
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Diet high in animal fat
- Breast cancer
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Ovarian cancer
- Early onset of menstruation cycle(menarche)
- Late menopause
- Nulliparity (never having a pregnancy)
- Age above 35 years
