ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING INTRODUCTION • Uterine cancer or endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer. • It develops in the body of the uterus/womb which is a hallow organ located in the lower abdomen. DEFINITION- • Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus. • Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (Endometrial) of the uterus. • Most endometrial cancers are adenocarcinoma (Cancers that begin in cells that make & release mucus & other fluids). • Endometrial cancer originates in the inner lining of the uterus accounts for about 90% of uterine cancer. • Uterine sarcoma originates in an outer layer of muscle tissue (Myometrium) & it accounts for less than 10% of cases. INCIDENCE • 4th most common cancer in women in U.S. behind breast, lung & colon cancer. • 11th leading cause of female mortality from cancer. • 97% arises from the endometrium & 3% arises from the mesenchymal components. • 75% of uterine cancers occur in post menopausal women. • 2-3% of women develop it in lifetime. • Mean age is 60 year. • Uncommon before the age of 40 year. ETIOLOGY & RISK FACTORS • The exact cause of uterine cancer is unknown. • Chronic exposure to estrogen. • Endometrial hyperplasia. • Obesity & related conditions. • Tamoxifen • A high fat diet. • Diabetes, HTN associated with endometrial cancer. • Other Risk Factors- • Age (More common after age 50). • Family history of uterine cancer. • Personal history of breast, colorectal or ovarian cancer. • Nulliparity. • Late menopause. • Early menarche. STAGES OF CANCER • Stage-0- Atypical hyperplasia. • Stage-I- Tumor limited to the uterus. • Stage-Ia- Limited to the endometrium. • Stage-Ib- Invasion < half of the myometrium. • Stage-Ic- Invasion > half of the myometrium. • Stage-II- Extension to the cervix. • Stage-IIa- Involves endo-cervical gland only. • Stage-IIb- Invasion of cervical stroma. • Stage-III- Spread to adjacent to uterus. • Stage-IIIa- Invades serosa. • Stage-IIIb- Vaginal invasion. • Stage-IIIc- Invasion of pelvic or para aortic lymph nodes. • Stage-IV- Spread further from uterus. • Stage-IVa- Involves bladder or rectum. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION • Early uterine cancer usually asymptomatic. • Abnormal vaginal bleeding most common symptoms. • Any bleeding after menopause. • Prolonged periods or bleeding between periods. • An abnormal & non bloody vaginal discharge. • Painful or difficult urination. • Pelvic pain. • Pain during intercourse. • Advance uterine cancer may cause weight loss, loss of appetite & change in bladder & bowel habits. • Pyometria/ Hematometria DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION • History collection • Physical examination • PAP Smear • Endometrial biopsy • Hysteroscopy • Trans-vaginal ultrasound • Fraction dilation & curettage (use in cases of cervical stenosis, patient intolerance to exam, recurrent bleeding after biopsy). • CT Scan • MRI Scan • PET Scan • Blood examination- CBC, LFT, Ca-125 (use in advance disease) MANAGEMENT RADIATION MANAGEMENT- • Some women with stage- I, II or III uterine cancer need both radiation therapy & surgery. • Radiation therapy is most often given after surgery to destroy any cells remaining in the area but rarely given before surgery to shrink the tumor. • It should be given external or internal radiation. CHEMOTHERAPY- • Women with stage-III or stage-IV endometrial cancer will be offered chemotherapy. Example- Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Decorubicin, Cyclophosphamide MANAGEMENT SURGERY- • Most doctors recommend either the surgical removal of the uterus alone (Hysterectomy) • Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy • Lymph nodes in the area should also be removed during surgery. HORMONAL THERAPY- • Hormonal therapy for uterine cancer after involves the hormone progesterone given in pills form, it may stop it from growing. • Another therapy option is Gonadotropin Releasing hormone agonist (Lupron, zoladex) these drugs can lower estrogen levels in premenopausal women.