Endometrial cancer

Alternative names:

adenocarcinoma of the endometrium/uterus; endometrial/uterine adenocarcinoma; uterine cancer

Symptoms:

• abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods
  • bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women
  • vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women

• in women over the age of 40, extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding (may indicate premalignant changes)
• lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination is frequently normal, especially in the early stages of disease. Changes in the size, shape, or consistency of the uterus and/or its surrounding, supporting structures may exist when the disease is more advanced.

• A Pap smear may be either normal or show abnormal cellular changes.
• Endometrial aspiration may assist the diagnosis.
• A dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure is usually necessary for diagnosing and staging the cancer.
• An endometrial biopsy may assist in diagnosis.

Stages of endometrial cancer:

• 1. The cancer is confined to the uterine body.
• 2. The cancer involves the uterine body and the cervix, but does not extend any further.
• 3. The cancer extends outside of the uterus but not beyond the true pelvis (gynecological organs).
• 4. The cancer has extended beyond the true pelvis and:
  • 4a. spread to adjacent organs.
  • 4b. spread to distant organs.