Endometrial cancer (endometrial cancer), or more specifically endometrial cancer, is the most common malignant neoplasm located within the endometrium.
Research shows that thisendometrial canceris the fourth most commoncancerin women aged 55-70. Only 10-15% of endometrial cancer cases are in people before menopausal .
Endometrial cancer - causes
Endometrial cancer is a hormone-dependent tumor. Long-term stimulation of the endometrium by estrogens plays an important role in the etiology of endometrial cancer, especially in the presence of a deficiency of antagonist hormones - progesterone and other gestagens. This usually occurs in obese, peri and postmenopausal women, when the production of androstenedione in the ovaries persists and the secretion of progesterone and estrogens ceases. Androstenedione in adipose tissue is transformed and stimulates the mucosa. Continuous and uncontrolled stimulation of the endometrium leads to epithelial damage and blockage of normal cell functions. Excessive divisions of the glandular epithelium of the endometrium lead to pathological hyperplasia of the endometrial glands. Among them, the most dangerous are growths with abnormal cell structure that can transform neoplastic cells. Scientific research shows that the production of oestrone in obese women can be up to 20 times higher than in young and lean women.
The direct risk factors include: obesity at the age of 50-59 and late menopause, diabetes, arterial hypertension, no offspring, occurrence of anovulatory cycles, endo- and exogenous hyperestrogenism, polycystic ovary syndrome, long-term treatment with tamoxifen for breast cancer and genetics.
Endometrial cancer - symptoms
The most common symptom of cancer after the menopause is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Statistics show that about 20 percent. recurrent postmenopausal bleeding is the cause of endometrial cancer. There are two types of endometrial cancer:
type 1 - cancer that is more commonendometrioid, squamous cell, or mucous associated with estrogen exposure
type 2 - less frequent, but less promising, serous or clear cell carcinoma of unknown origin
Endometrial cancer - treatment
In premenopausal women who want to maintain fertility, hormonal treatment is used - high-dose progesterone hormone therapy with synthetic progesterone derivatives - in the form of tablets and intramuscular injections. Treatment is aimed at saving the organs. In postmenopausal age, surgical treatment is used, surgically removing the uterus and appendages - in the case of a low-stage tumor. When the cancer is extensive, the surrounding lymph nodes are removed and additional radiotherapy is given. In the case of relapses, chemotherapy is used.