A diagnosis of cancer can be a frightening time. But many people with uterine cancer live for a long time after their diagnosis, especially when they are diagnosed early and when the tumour has not spread.
Uterine cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow and multiply out of control. The cancer cells can then spread to other parts of the body.
A woman’s uterus is a hollow organ inside her pelvic canal. It’s surrounded by tissues called the endometrium. The endometrium changes each month to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg. The cells then shed during menstruation. If cancer develops in these cells, it can spread to the ovaries and other organs in the pelvis. The most common uterine cancer is endometriosis, but there are other types of uterine cancer that can affect women of all ages.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can be a light spotting during the menstrual cycle or bleeding between periods or after menopause. It might also be accompanied by pain or pressure in the pelvis. Bleeding is rare before perimenopause or during the early stages of menopause, but it’s important to tell your doctor about any unusual vaginal bleeding so that it can be evaluated right away.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and conduct a pelvic exam. He or she may use a transvaginal ultrasound to produce an image of your uterus and pelvic structures. He or she will also do a pap test to check for cell changes that might indicate the presence of uterine cancer.
If your doctor finds a possible uterine cancer, he or she will do more tests to learn the type of uterine cancer you have and how far it has spread. These tests may include bloodwork and imaging studies such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
A gynecologic oncologist, who is a specialist in gynecologic cancers, will evaluate your results and discuss treatment options with you. The prognosis for uterine cancer depends on the type, the stage and how far it has spread at the time of diagnosis. The sooner the cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. Follow-up care is essential to monitor for recurrence.
Having uterine cancer or treating it can be distressing and can change the way you feel about yourself, your relationships and sex. It’s important to talk about your feelings with your doctor or nurse, especially if they are linked to changes in sexual behaviour or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Your doctor can give you referrals to counsellors or therapists who specialise in these areas.
A uterine tumour (cancerous growth) usually starts in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. It can affect women and men of all ages but it is more common in post-menopausal women and people who have had endometriosis for many years.
If you have symptoms of uterine cancer, your doctor will do tests to find out the type of uterine cancer and its stage. They may also do tests to check whether the cancer has spread.
An ultrasound scan of your pelvis can help spot the uterus tumour and any other abnormalities in the area. They might also use a MRI scan, which gives detailed pictures of inside your body using magnetic fields rather than x-rays. If the test results are not clear, they may suggest you have a blood sample taken to look for cancer cells in your blood or if there is any signs of inflammation in the tissue around the uterus.
The doctor will then do a biopsy to take a small amount of tissue from your uterus to confirm that the tumour is cancerous and to see what kind of uterine cancer it is. This is done by inserting a thin tube into your cervix and then passing a tool through the tube to remove some of the tissue. This can cause pain and cramps in the pelvis and some light bleeding for a few days afterwards.
Doctors will then classify the tumour into one of three stages based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. This grading helps them decide which treatment to give you. Stage 1 (early or localised) – The cancer is only in the uterus and cervix. Stage 2 (regionalised) – The cancer has spread to the tissue surrounding the uterus/cervix, or to the fallopian tubes, ovaries and vagina. It might also have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen.
Uterine cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the tumour. It also depends on whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. These will include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If the cancer is confined to your uterus (stage 1 or 2), it can be treated with surgery alone. If it has spread to your cervix or other parts of the pelvis (stage 3), you will need more treatment.
Radiation and chemotherapy are often used together to treat uterine cancer. They can help shrink the tumour and keep it from growing. They can also kill any cancer cells that may have spread. These treatments can cause side effects such as feeling tired, diarrhoea, needing to pass urine more often or in a hurry, dry and itchy skin in the area where the radiation was given, and low numbers of blood cells, which can lead to anaemia and infection.
You might need other types of treatment if the cancer has spread, or if it comes back after surgery (recurrence). This includes hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
Hormone therapy involves taking drugs to change the levels of certain hormones in your body, such as oestrogen and progesterone, that control the growth of cells. It is used to treat some types of uterine cancer, such as adenocarcinoma of the uterus and endometrioid carcinomas.
Targeted therapies use drugs to attack specific proteins or other parts of the cancer cell that are found only in cancer cells, not normal cells. This type of treatment is used to treat adenocarcinoma of your uterus and other types of uterine cancer, such as serous carcinomas or clear cell carcinomas.
Some women who have early-stage and low-grade uterine cancer choose not to have a hysterectomy and instead have hormone therapy. If you are interested in having children in the future, it is important to talk with your doctor about this before you begin treatment and to ask for a referral to a fertility specialist.
Some women who have had a hysterectomy and radiation to the pelvic area might not be able to become pregnant, even with hormone therapy. This is because the radiation can cause menopause.
Unlike cervical cancer, there is no screening test for uterine cancer. Women are encouraged to seek routine gynecologic care, especially during their childbearing years and after menopause, and to alert their doctor to any abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge.
Age, particularly after menopause, is a major risk factor for uterine cancer. In addition, the use of estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy for several years increases a woman’s risk. Women with certain genetic mutations, such as those with Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer), have a higher risk for endometrial cancer.
A diet high in animal fats can also increase a person’s risk of developing this type of cancer. Other factors that increase a woman’s risk for uterine cancer include starting her first period before age 12, or experiencing menopause at a later age.
Uterine cancer can be cured in most cases if it is found early and treated promptly. To learn more about uterine cancer prevention, visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ website: http://www.acog.org/practice/clinical-practice/uterine-cancer.
The Center for Disease Control reports that a large number of people die each year from gynecologic cancers, with the majority of these deaths occurring in Black and Hispanic women. This burden places a heavy burden on health care systems and can adversely impact patient outcomes and quality of life. ACOG is committed to reducing this inequity by supporting research into effective methods of equitable prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of gynecologic cancers.
Women can help prevent uterine cancer by getting regular gynecologic care, including regular pelvic examinations and mammograms for breast cancer, and keeping a healthy weight through diet and exercise. They should be aware of the warning signs of uterine cancer, such as abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge, and talk to their doctors about their family history of gynecologic cancer. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer should consider genetic testing to determine whether they have Lynch syndrome, which can increase the chance of developing endometrial cancer and other types of gynecologic cancers. If they are at a high risk for the disease, they can discuss with their health care provider options for preventive surgery, such as hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, to remove the uterus and fallopian tubes after childbearing is completed.
Uterine Cancer symptoms can change as the tumour grows. They may include bleeding that is heavier, lasts longer or happens more often than normal, including spotting and bleeding after menopause.
Other symptoms and signs are not common for gynecologic cancers and may be caused by other health conditions. However, if you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.
Abdominal pain is a common symptom of cancer in the reproductive organs, especially uterine cancer. However, it is also a sign of many other health problems that can affect the abdomen, including gas, ulcers, and large intestine issues like diverticulitis. Abdominal pain can range from mild to severe and comes in different types, including sharp pain that lasts a few minutes or sudden pain that starts suddenly.
The most common symptoms of uterine cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding, changes in your menstrual periods and pain in the lower abdomen. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.
Doctors diagnose uterine cancer by asking questions about your symptoms and medical history and doing a physical exam. They may also order a pelvic ultrasound to check for a tumor or other signs of uterine cancer. If they suspect a tumor or other condition, they may remove your uterus and cervix, which is called a total hysterectomy. If your cancer is in a later stage, they may also remove your fallopian tubes and both ovaries, which is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a warning sign for uterine cancer, especially endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. It can include spotting or bleeding between your periods, particularly if you are postmenopausal. It can also include heavy or prolonged bleeding or a thin white or clear discharge.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a sign that may indicate the presence of uterine cancer. It is defined as bleeding that lasts longer than usual, occurs more frequently or is heavier than normal. It may also occur between periods or after menopause. Although many health conditions can cause this symptom, it should not be ignored. Similarly, if you are experiencing pain during sex or a feeling of fullness in the pelvic area, these are also signs that should not be ignored.
A woman’s uterus is a pear-shaped organ that is located in the lower abdomen. It is connected to the ovaries through fallopian tubes and the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrium and it changes with each menstrual cycle. Hormones from the ovaries make it thicken in preparation for a fertilized egg to implant. When a fertilized egg does not implant, the endometrium sheds.
Women who develop uterine cancer usually have abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can be from the uterus, cervix or both. This type of symptom is more common in women who have reached menopause and is less likely to occur in younger women. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a sample of tissue from the endometrium and having it examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
A change in menstrual periods may be a sign of cancer of the uterus. This symptom can include heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary pad or tampon every hour for two to three hours) or passing large blood clots. Also watch out for a missed period, bleeding between periods or spotting after you’ve gone through menopause.
Bleeding isn’t the only symptom that can be caused by uterine cancer, but it is one of the most common. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as uterine cancer, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your body.
The type of uterine cancer you have and how fast it grows can impact your symptoms. You might have no signs or symptoms at all, especially if the cancer is in its early stages.
The most common treatment for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can help keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of your body. It may also reduce your chance of getting pregnant. If you’re premenopausal when diagnosed, talking with your care team can help you decide if you should have your ovaries removed. This can affect your fertility and may put you through menopause if you haven’t already. You can get hormone therapy after your surgery to restore your hormone levels.
Abdominal bloating is very common and may occur for a variety of reasons. It can be caused by eating certain foods such as beans and fizzy drinks, swallowing air when eating, or it can also be a sign of an infection like diverticulitis or Escherichia coli (E. coli). In addition, it can be a symptom of more serious conditions such as ovarian cancer.
People with uterine cancer sometimes experience pain or discomfort in the pelvis that comes and goes, especially during vaginal sex. This can be a result of pressure on a mass in the uterus from intercourse, or it could be a symptom of a bowel obstruction. In some cases, this pain can even be felt during a menstrual period.
This type of bloating is different from abdominal bloating caused by gas, which can cause a tight feeling in the abdomen and make clothes feel too tight around the waist. When a person has bloating, they usually have to move around to relieve the sensation.
However, if the bloating persists for a long time it is important to talk to a doctor. Abdominal bloating is a symptom of many medical conditions, so it is important to have it checked by a healthcare professional. They can take a blood sample to check for abnormal levels of certain cancer-related hormones in the body. They can also use other tests to check for uterine cancer, such as a CT scan or an MRI scan.
The uterus is part of the reproductive system in women and people who are assigned female at birth. It’s a pear-shaped organ where a fetus develops during pregnancy. Cancer can affect any part of the uterus. It can also spread to other parts of the body, including the fallopian tubes, bladder, intestines and lymph nodes in the pelvic area.
A doctor will check for uterine cancer with a pelvic exam and imaging tests, such as an ultrasound and a CT scan. They may also use a transvaginal biopsy to remove a sample of endometrium from the inside of the uterus and examine it under a microscope for cancer cells.
Pain is another symptom of uterine cancer. It occurs when the cancer grows big enough to compress nerves and tissues around the uterus, according to Dr. Alison Schram, an expert in gynecologic cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. This can trigger a person’s body to react in ways like abdominal pain, cramping or bloating.
Cancer that has spread to the abdomen can also cause fluid buildup in the peritoneum. This can lead to bloating and feeling full, even when you haven’t eaten much. It can also cause unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel habits. The cancer can also push against the bladder, which makes you feel compelled to urinate more often, and it can result in a light stream of urine.
It’s one thing to feel full after a large celebratory meal but for cancer patients feeling fullness can be a sign that the tumour is growing and causing other health problems. The key is to distinguish between real fullness and feelings of bloating. Real fullness stems from adequate food intake, whereas bloating is due to anxiety or stress.
There are several treatment options for uterine cancer. These include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can be delivered using a machine that directs radiation at the area (external beam radiation) or via brachytherapy, which involves inserting a small cylinder close to the area and emitting radiation from inside the body for several days. Chemotherapy involves taking drugs that kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
The type of treatment you have will depend on the stage of your uterine cancer. The stages are based on how much the tumour has grown and where it is located within your body.
Your treatment team may include a GP, gynaecologist, oncologist and radiation oncologist. Your GP can manage your general health and work with the other specialists to coordinate your care. A dietitian can recommend an eating plan and other allied health professionals can provide support throughout your treatment and recovery. Your risk factors can affect your chances of developing uterine cancer. For example, obesity and a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome increase your risk as does taking estrogen without the hormone progesterone or having the genetic disorder Lynch syndrome.
Most womb cancer is treatable, especially when it is found early. The standard-of-care treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
To get a sample of cells from inside the uterus for testing, your doctor may use a procedure called dilation and curettage. This involves widening (dilating) the cervix and scraping out the lining of the uterus to examine it for signs of cancer.
A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus and cervix. It can also be used to treat a disease that affects the lining of your abdomen and pelvis (endometriosis). A hysterectomy can reduce your risk of cancer spreading or coming back after it has spread.
Before surgery, your doctor may give you a prescription for pain medication to help control postoperative pain. You can take acetaminophen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Your doctor may also use a spinal block or epidural for pain management during the operation and afterward. This procedure can help lower your risk of postoperative complications, such as infection.
If your cancer has reached a stage where it is likely to spread, your surgeon may choose to remove lymph nodes from your body during the hysterectomy. This can help determine if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. The surgeon can also inject a dye into the uterus during a hysterectomy to help them locate and remove the lymph nodes that are most likely to have cancer cells in them. This is called a sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymphadenectomy.
You might have bloody vaginal discharge and heavy bleeding for a few days or weeks after a hysterectomy. This is normal. You can use sanitary pads to help absorb this bloody discharge. It is important to tell your care team if you have any unusual bleeding after your hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy can be done through an abdominal incision, using laparoscopy, or with the help of a robot. During a robotic-assisted hysterectomy, the surgeon uses a camera and instruments that are inserted through small, keyhole-sized incisions. The surgeon removes the uterus, cervix, and any other affected tissue.
Your care team will perform a pelvic exam after your hysterectomy to look for signs of other cancers or abnormalities in the surrounding tissues. They might take a sample of tissue from the area for testing (biopsy). They will also check for any signs of endometrial cancer by putting fluid in your abdomen and looking at it under a microscope.
If you have early-stage, low-grade uterine cancer, your doctor might recommend that you not have a hysterectomy and instead focus on treatment for the disease that has spread or come back. You and your doctor might decide to have a hysterectomy later if the cancer comes back or causes more problems, such as severe bleeding or infertility.
The chemotherapy drugs used for uterine cancer kill or damage cancer cells. They may be given by mouth or intravenously. Chemotherapy may be combined with radiation and/or surgery.
Some types of uterine cancer, such as endometrial carcinoma or papillary serous carcinoma, can be cured with surgery alone. But others may not. They may come back or spread to other parts of the body. If this happens, your doctor will treat you with a combination of treatments to prevent the cancer from coming back or spreading.
For endometrial cancer that has spread, you may need surgery and chemotherapy with or without radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells. The chemo will likely include drugs such as carboplatin and paclitaxel. You also will receive radiation, either via external beam radiation or through a procedure called brachytherapy. In brachytherapy, your doctor inserts a small, radiation-containing cylinder in your vagina close to the site of the cancer. The cylinder remains there for a few minutes or several days. The dose of radiation is very high, but it only affects cancer cells and not healthy tissue.
If your cancer is in the early stages, it has not spread and you want to have children, your doctor may recommend that you have your uterus removed, but not your ovaries (a hysterectomy). This will keep you from getting menopause. It may also reduce the chance that the cancer will come back.
You might have hormone therapy to ease your symptoms or slow the growth of any remaining cancer cells. If your uterine cancer has spread, hormone therapy might help relieve your pain and lower the chances that the cancer will grow or come back.
Your doctor may do tests on your blood and pelvic tissues to find out if your cancer has spread. If it has, your doctor might do a biopsy of a few lymph nodes in your pelvis. This is called a sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymphadenectomy. They will take one or more lymph nodes from the area and put them in a lab for testing.
A gynecologic oncologist (a doctor who treats uterine cancer) will work with you to create a treatment plan that includes surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Radiation uses high-energy rays, like X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy uses medicines that travel through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Surgery is often combined with radiation and/or chemo, especially for high-grade uterine cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.
Women who are diagnosed with uterine cancer that has not spread outside of the womb may be treated with a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus. When the surgeon removes the uterus, they will also usually remove the cervix, fallopian tubes and sometimes the ovaries and nearby lymph nodes. The surgeon will then often perform a procedure called a sentinel lymph node biopsy, which involves removing a few of the lymph nodes in your pelvis to test for signs of cancer.
If a woman has a uterine cancer that has spread beyond the womb, it’s often treated with radiation to the area and chemo, such as the anti-cancer drug pembrolizumab. In some cases, the surgeon will also recommend a treatment called vaginal brachytherapy, in which they insert a small radiation-containing cylinder into your vagina, close to the site of the tumor.
For stage III uterine cancer, which has already spread to the tissue that covers the uterus or other tissues in the pelvis, like the fallopian tubes and ovaries (the serosa), doctors treat this with a combination of surgery, radiation and chemo. Sometimes, the surgeon will use a treatment called external beam radiation to target only the uterus and surrounding tissues from outside of your body. This treatment can be used alone or with a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.
If a patient wants to have children in the future, the doctor will refer her to a fertility specialist to see if it’s possible to preserve the ovaries or embryos. In some cases, a doctor might recommend hormone therapy if the uterine cancer hasn’t spread and is confined to the ovaries or fallopian tubes, which can slow the growth of the tumors.
The uterus is the lower part of your reproductive system for women and people who are assigned female at birth. It has a round body (corpus) and a thin flap of tissue at the top called the cervix, which connects the uterus to your vagina. The uterus lining changes during menstrual cycles and thickens in case of pregnancy. Cancers in the uterus can grow in the body or in the cervix, and they are sometimes spread to other parts of your body. Doctors treat uterine cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. They may also give hormone therapy to help stop the cancer from growing or spreading. Other treatments they may use include targeted therapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials of new medicines.
Your doctors will decide which treatment is best for you after doing tests on the cancer and your overall health. They will talk to you about what to expect and explain the benefits and risks of the treatment. They will use the results of your tests and scans to plan your treatment.
If your uterine cancer is in the cervix, they may remove the cervix along with the uterus. They may remove lymph nodes in your pelvis to check for cancer cells. They will also do more tests on the tissue removed from your womb to find out how the uterine cancer developed and how likely it is to come back.
Hormone therapy slows the growth of uterine cancer by lowering or stopping the levels of certain hormones in your body. They can be given in pill form, or through an intrauterine device (IUD) placed into your uterus by doctors (e.g. a Mirena). Side effects from this type of hormone treatment usually occur if the dosage is high, and can be similar to those you experience during menopause, such as breast tenderness, headaches, tiredness, nausea, and changes in your period.
Palliative care is a type of medical treatment that helps you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life while living as long as possible with uterine cancer. This includes pain management, emotional support and practical help. You will be seen by a team of healthcare professionals who specialise in supporting people with cancer, including nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.
Despite being the most common type of gynecologic cancer, uterine cancer is not all the same. Depending on the kind of uterine cancer, patients’ prognoses and treatment options differ significantly.
Uterine cancer most commonly develops in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). However, some can also form in the supporting tissue or muscle of the uterus, called the myometrium.
The uterus (womb) is a hollow, muscular organ in the pelvis where a fetus grows during pregnancy. Its lower, narrow end is called the cervix and leads into the vagina. Cancer that starts in the inner lining of the uterus is called endometrial cancer. It accounts for about 90% of all uterine cancers.
Endometrial cancer can grow slowly and spread to other tissues in the body. It is thought that it may develop from a precancerous condition, such as hyperplasia. However, scientists do not know what causes endometrial cancer.
About 80% of endometrial cancers are type 1. This type tends to be slow-growing and does not spread very easily. It is most often found in women who have gone through menopause. It is also more common in white women than in African-American or Hispanic women.
Up to 20% of endometrial cancers are type 2. This type is more likely to grow and spread. It is thought that it can develop from a precancerous condition, called atypical hyperplasia. It is also more common in women who have a family history of endometrial, cervical, ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.
Doctors classify endometrial cancer by how abnormal its cells look under a microscope. They also talk about its “grade.” A low grade means that the cancer cells look slightly abnormal and a high grade means that the cells look very abnormal. The type of uterine cancer you have determines your treatment plan.
Stage II cancer has spread to the tissue that lines the outside of the uterus but has not reached the ovaries or Fallopian tubes. It is classified as stage III if it has spread to other parts of the pelvis, or as stage IV if it has spread beyond the pelvic area.
The most common treatments for uterine cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. If a patient is unable to have surgery, she can be treated with radioactive seeds or vaginal brachytherapy. The risk of uterine cancer increases with age. Other risks include having a family history of uterine cancer, starting periods before the age of 12, being overweight or obese and taking certain hormones, such as estrogen.
The uterus, or womb, is a hollow organ in the pelvis where babies grow. Cancer that develops in its muscles or supporting tissues is called uterine sarcoma. It’s much less common than cancer that forms in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It makes up only about 4 percent of all cancers affecting the uterus.
Uterine sarcoma can be hard to diagnose. Your doctor may suspect a uterine sarcoma if you have symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pain or persistent vomiting. The doctor will order imaging tests such as a transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan to find the tumor. A biopsy is then needed to make a diagnosis.
There are several types of uterine sarcoma, including leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcoma. Leiomyosarcomas are a type of smooth muscle tumor, and they can form in the muscles of the uterus or in other areas of the body. These tumors are usually low-grade sarcomas and have a good outlook. They can also be aggressive and spread quickly.
Undifferentiated sarcomas are more common. They are high-grade sarcomas that can grow and spread faster than other types of sarcomas. These tumors can also be hard to treat and have a poor outlook.
Carcinosarcomas are another type of uterine sarcoma that starts in the endometrium and has features of both sarcomas and carcinomas. They’re often found when the cancer is already very large and has spread.
Most patients with uterine sarcoma will need surgery to remove the tumor and any surrounding healthy tissue. They’ll also receive radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of the tumor coming back. The type of radiation therapy you’ll receive depends on the stage of your uterine sarcoma, and whether it has spread to other parts of your pelvis or body. At Fred Hutch, our specialists have long studied how to improve treatment for uterine sarcoma. We offer the latest treatments, including chemotherapy and internal radiation. These are delivered using needles, seeds, wires or catheters that are placed directly into the tumor site. External radiation is also available.
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare cancer that starts in the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus (womb). It usually occurs in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. This type of cancer is less common than other types of uterine cancer, and it tends to be more aggressive than other sarcomas.
Leiomyosarcoma is also different from other tumors that develop in the uterus, such as fibroid tumors. Fibroids are noncancerous, and they often don’t need treatment. But if a fibroid is causing problems, like pelvic pain, heavy bleeding during menstruation, or frequent urination and constipation, it may need to be removed. In some cases, doctors can remove the fibroid and leave the rest of the uterus in place. This surgery is called a myomectomy.
There are many things that can increase a person’s risk of getting uterine cancer, including:
A family history of uterine or cervical cancer. Women who have had endometrial cancer in the past have a higher risk for developing another uterine cancer. Having a longer time between the first and second periods, or having later menopause (after age 50). This increases the amount of time the uterus is exposed to estrogen. Having had radiation to the pelvis or taking tamoxifen for other cancers in the past.
It is important to get regular screening for uterine cancer, especially if you’ve had certain kinds of radiation or chemotherapy. This helps find cancer early, before it has a chance to spread from where it started in the uterus to other parts of the body.
Undifferentiated sarcoma (UPS) is a rare type of soft tissue cancer that doesn’t look like other types of sarcoma under a microscope. It occurs in cells that make up muscle, fat, fibrous tissues, blood vessels and nerves. These tissues help support and move the body. Undifferentiated sarcoma can form in any area of the body, but it most often starts in the arms and legs.
Because this type of sarcoma grows and spreads quickly, it’s important to diagnose it early and get treatment right away. Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam and order imaging tests. They may recommend a CT or MRI scan to see the size and shape of the tumor. They might also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of the tumor to examine it under a microscope. The procedure can be done with a needle or during surgery. The results of a biopsy can help determine the best course of treatment for you.
The symptoms of UPS vary depending on the location of the tumor. If the tumor is in your arms or legs, you might experience pain or swelling. It can grow in your neck or back and cause trouble breathing. It can also press on organs in your chest or abdomen, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or feelings of numbness and tingling.
While the exact causes of this type of cancer aren’t known, people over age 50 and those who have had radiation therapy near the area where the tumor formed have a higher risk of developing it. Researchers are working to learn more about what causes this disease.
Treatment for UPS includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy can improve survival in some people with this type of cancer. One study found that the combination of epirubicin and ifosfamide improved survival in people with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma, including UPS, of the trunk and extremities. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and ipilimumab are also being studied in UPS patients. These drugs can stop the growth of tumors by blocking the signals that they need to grow.