Endometrial Cancer In Women: Endometrial Carcinoma is a cancer which develops in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. A disease which affects almost 60,000 women every year, is the malignancy of the endometrium. Today, endometrial cancer is the most common form of gynaecological cancer that affects Western women. According to the data provided by the National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, released by the ICMR in association with the National Centre for Disease Informatics & Research (NCDIR), there will be an estimated 12% rise in cancer cases in India over the next five years which will take the total number of patients affected by the disease to around 15.7 lakhs per year. The report also states that there will be a significant uptrend in the incidence of endometrial cancers, which are easily curable via surgeries today.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Srinivas Juluri, Director, Surgical Oncology, Medicover Hospitals, Hyderabad explained about risk factors, symptoms and treatment of endometrial cancer in women.

According to Dr Juluri, the risk factors for endometrial cancer include diabetes mellitus, obesity, estrogen levels, genetic disorders like Lynch Syndrome, late menopause and ageing. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and irregular ovulation also account for higher rates of endometrial cancer. The long-term aim of care and therapy is to have a healthy uterus with minimal morbidities or comorbidities associated with the health of the patient. Hence, it is imperative to regularly monitor the uterine lining through regular check-ups and scans, conduct ultrasound imaging for early detection and treatment and keep a check on factors like diabetes and obesity. Mitigating the possible risk factors is the need of the hour before going for surgery.

Symptoms Of Endometrial Cancer

Today, there is an increased awareness and healthcare access for people to early identification and management of the disease. The common symptoms include spotting and post-menopausal bleeding. Sometimes, there could be a thin white or clear vaginal discharge.
Somatic symptoms would include lower abdominal pain, pain during sexual intercourse or cramping in the pelvis, below the belly. It is recommended to consult your gynaecologist once you observe these warning signs. A pelvic scan or a physical examination is a good start towards the early diagnosis of endometrial cancers. Patients can then opt for an endometrial biopsy or hysteroscopy and guided biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

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Types Of Endometrial Cancer

There are generally two types of endometrial cancers, Type 1 and Type 2. While Type 1 cancers are less aggressive and usually do not spread to other tissues quickly, Type 2 cancers are more likely to spread outside of the uterus, needing stronger therapy for treatment. The course of recovery depends on early diagnosis and treatment of individual cases. More than 90% of endometrial cancers are curable through laparoscopic surgeries alone, while only the rest require additional chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The acceptance of surgery is considerably high and there’s hardly any reluctance or hesitation from patients. Minimally invasive surgery involves small incisions and patients are even open to robotic-assisted surgeries these days.

Treatment Of Endometrial Cancer

Dr Juluri said that laparoscopic surgeries come with their own set of advantages and improved patient outcomes. Post-surgical outcomes have better clinical results, minimal infection rate, fewer complications and morbidities, lower pain quotient in patients, results in early discharge and an early return to regular work. Oncologists generally advise a day of rest after the surgery but it would not take much longer to see same-day discharges for endometrial cancer surgeries with the advancement in technology and surgical procedures. However, the key to a healthy outcome is always linked to self-examination, self-awareness and taking care of one's health with regular full-body health checkups and screening.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)