
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Endometrial cancer
Introduction
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Synonyms and keywords: Endometrial adenocarcinoma; adenocarcinoma – endometrium; adenocarcinoma – uterus; cancer – endometrial; uterine corpus cancer; endometrial carcinoma; cancer of the endometrium; cancer of endometrium; Neoplasm of endometrium; Endometrial neoplasm.
Overview
Overview
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women. Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. Approximately 8β30% of patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia may progress to develop endometrial cancer. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the 7 histological subtypes: endometrioid, uterine papillary serous, mucinous, clear cell, squamous cell, mixed and undifferentiated. Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders. The hallmark of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. A positive history of bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women and vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women is suggestive of endometrial cancer. Pelvic MRI and endometrial biopsy may be diagnostic of endometrial cancer. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good. The optimal therapy for endometrial cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis and comprises total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to most patients if they are surgical candidates.
Historical Perspective
The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s. The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.
Classification
Endometrial cancer may be classified according to histology into either type I comprising 80% of endometrial cancers or type II accounting for around 20%.
Pathophysiology
Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the histological subtype.
Causes
Causes of endometrial cancer include genetic mutations of the KRAS gene, TP53 gene, TP16 gene, and/or PTEN gene. Other genetic mutations have also been described.
Differential Diagnosis
Endometrial cancer in early stage must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.
Epidemiology and Demographics
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women. In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence was approximately 232 per 100,000 and the age-adjusted incidence was approximately 27 per 100,000 in the USA.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen use, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders.
Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
If left untreated, approximately 8β30% of patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia may progress to develop endometrial cancer. Common complications of endometrial cancer include menorrhagia and metastasis. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.
Diagnosis
Staging
According to the FIGO Staging System, there are 4 stages of endometrial cancer.
History and Symptoms
The hallmark of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. A positive history of bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women and vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women is suggestive of endometrial cancer.
MRI
The MRI is not needed for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. However, an MRI may be helpful in staging of the disease.
Ultrasound
On transvaginal ultrasound, endometrial cancer is characterized by thickening of the endometrium and disruption of a subendometrial halo.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other diagnostic studies for endometrial cancer include endometrial biopsy
Treatment
Medical therapy
The optimal therapy for endometrial cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is indicated in stages IIIB- IV.
Surgery
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for endometrial cancer stage I-III.
Primary Prevention
Effective measures for the primary prevention of endometrial cancer include administration of combination oral contraceptives.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[3]
Historical Perspective
Overview
The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s. The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.
Historical Perspective
- The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s.
- The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.[1]
- Surgical staging of endometrial cancer was first suggested in 1988 and was later revised in 2009.[2]
- The first laparoscopic hysterectomy was reported in 1992.[3]
References
- β Jick H, Walker AM, Rothman KJ (1980). “The epidemic of endometrial cancer: a commentary”. Am J Public Health. 70 (3): 264β7. PMCΒ 1619376. PMIDΒ 7356090.
- β Creasman W (2009). “Revised FIGO staging for carcinoma of the endometrium”. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 105 (2): 109. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.02.010. PMIDΒ 19345353.
- β Childers JM, Surwit EA (1992). “Combined laparoscopic and vaginal surgery for the management of two cases of stage I endometrial cancer”. Gynecol Oncol. 45 (1): 46β51. PMIDΒ 1534780.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.
Classification
Overview
Endometrial cancer may be classified according to histology into either type I comprising 80% of endometrial cancers or type II accounting for around 20%.
Classification
Endometrial cancer may be classified according to histology into 2 types:[1]
| Type | Histology | Prognosis | Pathogenesis | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | Endometroid (adenocarcinoma) | Favorable (estrogen-responsive) | β’ May arise from atypical hyperplasia β’ Linked to unopposed estrogen stimulation |
80% |
| Type II | β’ Endometroid β’ Serous β’ Clear cell β’ Mucinous β’ Squamous β’ Mesonephric β’ Undifferentiated |
Typically bad prognosis | β’ Develops from atrophic endometrium β’ Not linked to hormonally driven pathogenesis |
15-20% |
References
- β Bokhman JV (1983). “Two pathogenetic types of endometrial carcinoma”. Gynecol Oncol. 15 (1): 10β7. PMIDΒ 6822361.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]
Pathophysiology
Overview
Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the histological subtype.
Pathogenesis
- Endometrial cancer forms when there are errors in normal endometrial cell growth.[1][2]
- Development of an endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of endometrial cells) is a significant risk factor because hyperplasia can and often do develop into adenocarcinoma, though cancer can develop without the presence of a hyperplasia. Within ten years, 8β30% of atypical endometrial hyperplasias develop into cancer, whereas 1β3% of non-atypical hyperplasias do so.[3]
- Mutations in the KRAS gene can cause endometrial hyperplasia and therefore type I endometrial cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia typically occurs after the age of 40. Endometrial glandular dysplasia occurs with an overexpression of TP53, and develops into a serous carcinoma (type II endometrial cancer).[4]
- Endometrial cancer frequently metastasizes to the ovaries and fallopian tubes when the cancer is located in the upper part of the uterus and the cervix when the cancer is in the lower part of the uterus.
- The cancer usually first spreads into the myometrium and the serosa, then into other reproductive and pelvic structures. When the lymphatic system is involved, the pelvic lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes are usually first to become involved, but in no specific pattern, unlike cervical cancer.
- More distant metastases are spread by the blood and often occur in the lungs, as well as the liver, brain, and bone.[5]
Genetics
|
Genes involved in pathogenesis of endometrial cancer involve:
- In 10β20% of endometrial cancers, mostly gradeΒ 3 (the highest histologic grade), mutations are found in a tumor suppressor gene, commonly TP53 or PTEN.
- In 20% of endometrial hyperplasias and 50% of endometrioid cancers, PTEN suffers a loss-of-function mutation or a null mutation, making it less effective or completely ineffective.[7] Loss of PTEN function leads to up-regulation of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway, which causes cell growth.[8]
- The TP53 pathway can either be suppressed or highly activated in endometrial cancer. When a mutant version of TP53 is overexpressed, the cancer tends to be particularly aggressive. TP53 mutations and chromosome instability are associated with serous carcinomas, which tend to resemble ovarian and fallopian carcinomas. Serous carcinomas are thought to develop from endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma.[8]
- PTEN and p27 loss of function mutations are associated with a good prognosis, particularly in obese women. The Her2/neu oncogene, which indicates a poor prognosis, is expressed in 20% of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. CTNNB1 (beta-catenin; a transcription gene) mutations are found in 14β44% of endometrial cancers and may indicate a good prognosis, but the data is unclear. Beta-catenin mutations are commonly found in endometrial cancers with squamous cells.[8]
- FGFR2 mutations are found in approximately 10% of endometrial cancers, and their prognostic significance is unclear.[7]
- SPOP is another tumor suppressor gene found to be mutated in some cases of endometrial cancer: 9% of clear cell endometrial carcinomas and 8% of serous endometrial carcinomas have mutations in this gene.[9]
- Type I and type II cancers (explained below) tend to have different mutations involved. ARID1A, which often carries a point mutation in type I endometrial cancer, is also mutated in 26% of clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium, and 18% of serous carcinomas. Epigenetic silencing and point mutations of several genes are commonly found in type I endometrial cancer.[10]
- Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in type II endometrial cancer. PIK3CA is commonly mutated in both type I and type II cancers. In women with Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, microsatellite instability is common.[8]
- The genetic mutations most commonly associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma are in the genes PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, PIK3CA (expresses a kinase), KRAS (expresses GTPase that functions in signal transduction), and CTNNB1 that expresses a protein involved in adhesion and cell signaling. The CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) gene is most commonly mutated in the squamous subtype of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.[11]
- The genetic mutations seen in serous carcinoma are chromosomal instability and mutations in TP53, an important tumor suppressor gene.[12]
- The p53 cell signaling system is not active in endometrial clear cell carcinoma.[13]
Microscopic Pathology
On microscopic histopathological analysis, endometrial cancer is characterized by:[14]
1. Endometrioid (most common; 75%β80%)
- Ciliated adenocarcinoma
- Secretory adenocarcinoma
- Papillary or villoglandular
- Adenocarcinoma with squamous differentiation
- Adenoacanthoma
- Adenosquamous (Adenosquamous tumors contain malignant elements of both glandular and squamous epithelium)
2. Uterine papillary serous (<10%)
3. Mucinous (1%)
4. Clear cell (4%)
5. Squamous cell (<1%)
6. Mixed (10%)
7. Undifferentiated
| Characteristic/Parameter | Type I endometrial cancers | Type II endometrial cancers |
|---|---|---|
| Time of onset | Occur most commonly before and around the time of menopause | Occur in older, post-menopausal |
| Race | White | Black |
| Grade of tumor | Low-grade | High-grade |
| Invasive | Minimally invasive into the underlying uterine wall myometrium | Deep invasion into the underlying myometrium |
| Estrogen | Dependent | Independent |
| Type | Endometrioid | Uterine papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma |
| Prognosis. | Good | Poor |
| Types of endometrial cancer | Histopathological features |
|---|---|
|
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma |
|
|
Serous carcinoma |
|
|
Clear cell carcinoma |
|
|
Mucinous carcinoma |
Well-differentiated columnar cells organized into glands with the characteristic mucin in the cytoplasm. |
|
Mixed or undifferentiated carcinoma |
Sheets of identical epithelial cells with no identifiable pattern |
References
- β Kong A, Johnson N, Kitchener HC, Lawrie TA (2012). “Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 4: CD003916. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003916.pub4. PMCΒ 4164955. PMIDΒ 22513918.
- β What You Need To Know: Endometrial Cancer”.NCI. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- β Luo, L; Luo, B; Zheng, Y; Zhang, H; Li, J; Sidell, N (5 June 2013). “Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for atypical endometrial hyperplasia”. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 6: CD009458. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009458.pub2. PMIDΒ 23737032.
- β Saso, S; Chatterjee, J; Georgiou, E; Ditri, AM; Smith, JR; Ghaem-Maghami, S (2011). “Endometrial cancer”. BMJ. 343: d3954βd3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMIDΒ 21734165.
- β Kurra V, Krajewski KM, Jagannathan J, Giardino A, Berlin S, Ramaiya N (2013). “Typical and atypical metastatic sites of recurrent endometrial carcinoma”. Cancer Imaging. 13: 113β22. doi:10.1102/1470-7330.2013.0011. PMCΒ 3613792. PMIDΒ 23545091.
- β International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
- β 7.0 7.1 Thaker, PH; Sood, AK. “Molecular Oncology in Gynecologic Cancer”. In Lentz, GM; Lobo, RA; Gershenson, DM; Katz, VL. Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBNΒ 978-0-323-06986-1.
- β 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C; et al. (2013). “Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”. Ann Oncol. 24 Suppl 6: vi33β8. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdt353. PMIDΒ 24078661.
- β Mani, RS (September 2014). “The emerging role of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) in cancer development”. Drug Discovery Today. 19 (9): 1498β1502. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2014.07.009. PMIDΒ 25058385.
A recent exome-sequencing study revealed that 8% of serious endometrial cancers and 9% of clear cell endometrial cancers have SPOP mutations
- β International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
- β Colombo, N; Preti, E; Landoni, F; Carinelli, S; Colombo, A; Marini, C; Sessa, C (2011). “Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”. Annals of Oncology. 22 (Supplement 6): vi35βvi39. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdr374. PMIDΒ 21908501.
- β Johnson N, Bryant A, Miles T, Hogberg T, Cornes P (2011). “Adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer after hysterectomy”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (10): CD003175. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003175.pub2. PMCΒ 4164379. PMIDΒ 21975736.
- β Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S (2011). “Endometrial cancer”. BMJ. 343: d3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMIDΒ 21734165.
- β Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNΒ 9780071716727.
Editor-In-Chief:
C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]
Causes
Overview
Causes of endometrial cancer include genetic mutations of the KRAS gene, TP53 gene, TP16 gene, and/or PTEN gene. Other genetic mutations have also been described.
Causes
Endometrial cancer arises following multiple genetic mutations. The following genes are involved in the development of endometrial cancer:
|
References
- β International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]
Differentiating Endometrial Cancer from other Diseases

Overview
In early stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.
Differentiating Endometrial Cancer From Other Diseases
- In early stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.[1]
| Diseases | Clinical manifestations | Para-clinical findings | Gold standard | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | Physical examination | |||||||||||
| Lab Findings | Imaging | Pap Smear | Histopathology | |||||||||
| Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Abdomino-pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | ||||
| Endometrial cancer[2][3][4][5] |
|
Β± |
|
|
β | β | + |
|
|
|
Endometrial malignant cells
|
|
| Uterine |
|
Β± |
|
|
β | β | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Uterine leiomyoma[10][11][12] |
|
+ |
|
|
β or Nl | β | β |
|
|
|
|
|
| Uterine carcinosarcomas (Malignant mixed mullerian tumour (MMMT) of the uterus)[13][14][15][16] |
|
Β± |
|
β | β | + |
|
|
||||
| Cervical cancer[17][18] |
|
Β± |
|
|
β | β | Β± |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Metastasis |
|
Β± |
|
|
β | β | β |
|
|
|
| |
| Endometrial polyp[19][20] |
|
β |
|
|
β | β | + or Nl |
|
|
|
| |
| Endometrial hyperplasia[21][22][23][24] |
|
β |
|
|
β | β | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Uterine adenomyosis[25][26][27] | β | Β± |
|
β | β | + |
|
|
|
| ||
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Hematometra (blood within the uterine cavity) | β | +
Cramping cyclic pain |
|
β | β | β |
|
|
|
|
||
| Gestational trophoblastic disease[30][31] |
|
+ |
|
|
β | Β± | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Incomplete abortion |
|
+ |
|
|
N/β | Β± | +β |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pregnancy |
|
+ |
|
β | + | β |
|
|
|
|||
| Uterine lymphoma[1][32][33][34] |
|
+ |
|
|
β | – | – |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
References
- β 1.0 1.1 Hippisley-Cox J, Coupland C (2011). “Identifying women with suspected ovarian cancer in primary care: derivation and validation of algorithm”. BMJ. 344: d8009. doi:10.1136/bmj.d8009. PMCΒ 3251328. PMIDΒ 22217630.
- β “ACOG practice bulletin, clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists, number 65, August 2005: management of endometrial cancer”. Obstet Gynecol. 106 (2): 413β25. August 2005. PMIDΒ 16055605.
- β Boruta DM, Gehrig PA, Fader AN, Olawaiye AB (October 2009). “Management of women with uterine papillary serous cancer: a Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) review”. Gynecol. Oncol. 115 (1): 142β153. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.06.011. PMIDΒ 19592079.
- β Bokhman JV (February 1983). “Two pathogenetic types of endometrial carcinoma”. Gynecol. Oncol. 15 (1): 10β7. PMIDΒ 6822361.
- β Felix AS, Weissfeld JL, Stone RA, Bowser R, Chivukula M, Edwards RP, Linkov F (November 2010). “Factors associated with Type I and Type II endometrial cancer”. Cancer Causes Control. 21 (11): 1851β6. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9612-8. PMCΒ 2962676. PMIDΒ 20628804.
- β Nordal RR, Thoresen SO (May 1997). “Uterine sarcomas in Norway 1956-1992: incidence, survival and mortality”. Eur. J. Cancer. 33 (6): 907β11. PMIDΒ 9291814.
- β Goto A, Takeuchi S, Sugimura K, Maruo T (2002). “Usefulness of Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI and serum determination of LDH and its isozymes in the differential diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma from degenerated leiomyoma of the uterus”. Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer. 12 (4): 354β61. PMIDΒ 12144683.
- β Bell SW, Kempson RL, Hendrickson MR (June 1994). “Problematic uterine smooth muscle neoplasms. A clinicopathologic study of 213 cases”. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 18 (6): 535β58. PMIDΒ 8179071.
- β Karpathiou G, Sivridis E, Giatromanolaki A (2010). “Myxoid leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: a diagnostic challenge”. Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 31 (4): 446β8. PMIDΒ 20882892.
- β Stewart EA (April 2015). “Clinical practice. Uterine fibroids”. N. Engl. J. Med. 372 (17): 1646β55. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1411029. PMIDΒ 25901428.
- β Dueholm M, Lundorf E, Hansen ES, Ledertoug S, Olesen F (March 2002). “Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis, mapping, and measurement of uterine myomas”. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 186 (3): 409β15. PMIDΒ 11904599.
- β Omary RA, Vasireddy S, Chrisman HB, Ryu RK, Pereles FS, Carr JC, Resnick SA, Nemcek AA, Vogelzang RL (November 2002). “The effect of pelvic MR imaging on the diagnosis and treatment of women with presumed symptomatic uterine fibroids”. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 13 (11): 1149β53. PMIDΒ 12427815.
- β Chaffer CL, San Juan BP, Lim E, Weinberg RA (December 2016). “EMT, cell plasticity and metastasis”. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 35 (4): 645β654. doi:10.1007/s10555-016-9648-7. PMIDΒ 27878502.
- β Zhao S, Bellone S, Lopez S, Thakral D, Schwab C, English DP, Black J, Cocco E, Choi J, Zammataro L, Predolini F, Bonazzoli E, Bi M, Buza N, Hui P, Wong S, Abu-Khalaf M, Ravaggi A, Bignotti E, Bandiera E, Romani C, Todeschini P, Tassi R, Zanotti L, Odicino F, Pecorelli S, Donzelli C, Ardighieri L, Facchetti F, Falchetti M, Silasi DA, Ratner E, Azodi M, Schwartz PE, Mane S, Angioli R, Terranova C, Quick CM, Edraki B, BilgΓΌvar K, Lee M, Choi M, Stiegler AL, Boggon TJ, Schlessinger J, Lifton RP, Santin AD (October 2016). “Mutational landscape of uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas implicates histone genes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition”. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 113 (43): 12238β12243. doi:10.1073/pnas.1614120113. PMCΒ 5087050. PMIDΒ 27791010.
- β Callister M, Ramondetta LM, Jhingran A, Burke TW, Eifel PJ (March 2004). “Malignant mixed MΓΌllerian tumors of the uterus: analysis of patterns of failure, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome”. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 58 (3): 786β96. doi:10.1016/S0360-3016(03)01561-X. PMIDΒ 14967435.
- β Teo SY, Babagbemi KT, Peters HE, Mortele KJ (July 2008). “Primary malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the uterus: findings on sonography, CT, and gadolinium-enhanced MRI”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 191 (1): 278β83. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.3281. PMIDΒ 18562759.
- β “Pap and HPV Testing – National Cancer Institute”.
- β Benedet JL, Bender H, Jones H, Ngan HY, Pecorelli S (August 2000). “FIGO staging classifications and clinical practice guidelines in the management of gynecologic cancers. FIGO Committee on Gynecologic Oncology”. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 70 (2): 209β62. PMIDΒ 11041682.
- β Kim KR, Peng R, Ro JY, Robboy SJ (August 2004). “A diagnostically useful histopathologic feature of endometrial polyp: the long axis of endometrial glands arranged parallel to surface epithelium”. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 28 (8): 1057β62. PMIDΒ 15252313.
- β Salim S, Won H, Nesbitt-Hawes E, Campbell N, Abbott J (2011). “Diagnosis and management of endometrial polyps: a critical review of the literature”. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 18 (5): 569β81. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2011.05.018. PMIDΒ 21783430.
- β Emons G, Beckmann MW, Schmidt D, Mallmann P (February 2015). “New WHO Classification of Endometrial Hyperplasias”. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 75 (2): 135β136. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1396256. PMCΒ 4361167. PMIDΒ 25797956.
- β Wright TC, Massad LS, Dunton CJ, Spitzer M, Wilkinson EJ, Solomon D (October 2007). “2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical screening tests”. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 11 (4): 201β22. doi:10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181585870. PMIDΒ 17917566.
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- β Montgomery BE, Daum GS, Dunton CJ (May 2004). “Endometrial hyperplasia: a review”. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 59 (5): 368β78. PMIDΒ 15097798.
- β McElin TW, Bird CC (1974). “Adenomyosis of the uterus”. Obstet Gynecol Annu. 3: 425β41. PMIDΒ 4608783.
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- β Byun JY, Kim SE, Choi BG, Ko GY, Jung SE, Choi KH (October 1999). “Diffuse and focal adenomyosis: MR imaging findings”. Radiographics. 19 Spec No: S161β70. doi:10.1148/radiographics.19.suppl_1.g99oc03s161. PMIDΒ 10517452.
- β McCausland AM, McCausland VM (2007). “Long-term complications of endometrial ablation: cause, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention”. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 14 (4): 399β406. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2007.04.004. PMIDΒ 17630156.
- β U Nayak A, Swarup A, G S J, N S (April 2010). “Hematometra and acute abdomen”. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 3 (2): 191β2. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.62117. PMCΒ 2884455. PMIDΒ 20606801. Vancouver style error: name (help)
- β Bakri YN, Berkowitz RS, Khan J, Goldstein DP, von Sinner W, Jabbar FA (March 1994). “Pulmonary metastases of gestational trophoblastic tumor. Risk factors for early respiratory failure”. J Reprod Med. 39 (3): 175β8. PMIDΒ 8035373.
- β Lurain JR (December 2010). “Gestational trophoblastic disease I: epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation and diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, and management of hydatidiform mole”. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 203 (6): 531β9. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.06.073. PMIDΒ 20728069.
- β Samama M, van Poelgeest M (September 2011). “Primary malignant lymphoma of the uterus: a case report and review of the literature”. Case Rep Oncol. 4 (3): 560β3. doi:10.1159/000334852. PMCΒ 3251245. PMIDΒ 22220150.
- β Shen CJ, Tsai EM, Tsai KB, Wu CH, Hsu SC (March 2007). “Primary T-cell lymphoma of the uterine corpus”. Kaohsiung J. Med. Sci. 23 (3): 138β41. doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(09)70388-2. PMIDΒ 17389178.
- β Heeren JH, Croonen AM, Pijnenborg JM (April 2008). “Primary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the female genital tract: a case report and literature review”. Int. J. Gynecol. Pathol. 27 (2): 243β6. doi:10.1097/PGP.0b013e3181569a0a. PMIDΒ 18317217.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Qurrat-ul-ain Abid, M.D.[2]; Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [3]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[4]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Overview
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women.[1] In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence was approximately 232 per 100,000 and the age-adjusted incidence was approximately 27 per 100,000 in the USA.[2]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
- In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence of endometrial cancer was 232 per 100,000 in the United States.[2]
Incidence
- In 2011, the age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer was 27 per 100,000 persons in the United States.[2]
Age
- While the overall age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer in the United States between 2007 and 2011 is 24 per 100,000.
- The age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer by age category is:[2]
- Under 65 years: 16 per 100,000
- 65 and over: 84 per 100,000
Race
- Endometrial cancer is more prevalent among White patients.
- Shown below is a table depicting the age-adjusted prevalence of endometrial cancer by race in 2011 in the United States.[2]
| All Races | White | Black | Asian/Pacific Islander | Hispanic | |
| Age-adjusted prevalence | 232 per 100,000 | 252.5 per 100,000 | 145 per 100,000 | 167.6 per 100,000 | 166 per 100,000 |
References
- β endometrial cancer statistics. CDC.gov
- β 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Garshell J, Miller D, Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z,Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2011, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2011/, based on November 2013 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2014.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Risk factors
Overview
Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen use, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders.
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors for endometrial cancer are:
- 1. Estrogen exposure
- 2. Early menarche
- Women who have menstrual periods at an early age also increases the number of years the body is exposed to estrogen and increases a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer.[2]
- 3.Late menopause
- 4. Nulliparity
- 5. Tamoxifen
- Tamoxifen is one of a group of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs. Tamoxifen is used to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk for the disease, but it increases the risk of endometrial cancer. This risk is greater in postmenopausal women.[4]
- 6. Family history
- Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome (Lynch syndrome): Women with Lynch syndrome have a 40β60%Β risk of developing endometrial cancer, higher than their risk of developing colorectal (bowel) or ovarian cancer.[5] Carcinogenesis in Lynch syndrome comes from a mutation in MLH1 and/or MLH2: genes that participate in the process of mismatch repair, which allows a cell to correct mistakes in the DNA.[6] Other genes mutated in Lynch syndrome include MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, which are also mismatch repair genes.
- Cowden syndrome: Women with Cowden syndrome have a 5β10%Β lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer, compared to the 2β3%Β risk for unaffected women.[7][8] Cowden syndrome is associated with mutations in PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, that cause the PTEN protein not to work properly leading to hyperactivity of the mTOR pathway.
- 7. Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
- 8. Obesity
- 11. Diabetes and hypertension
- Women suffering from hypertension or diabetes are at increased risk for developing endometrial cancer.[10]
References
- β Vern L. Katz, Gretchen M. Lentz (2012). Comprehensive gynecology. Philadelphia, PA, USA: Elsevier/ Mosby. ISBNΒ 978-0-323-06986-1.
- β 2.0 2.1 Brinton LA, Berman ML, Mortel R, Twiggs LB, Barrett RJ, Wilbanks GD; et al. (1992). “Reproductive, menstrual, and medical risk factors for endometrial cancer: results from a case-control study”. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 167 (5): 1317β25. PMIDΒ 1442985.
- β Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR (2012). “Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 8: CD003915. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003915.pub4. PMIDΒ 22895938.
- β Staley H, McCallum I, Bruce J (2012). “Postoperative tamoxifen for ductal carcinoma in situ”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 10: CD007847. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007847.pub2. PMIDΒ 23076938.
- β Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNΒ 9780071716727. Check
|isbn=value: invalid character (help). - β Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNΒ 9780071716727. Check
|isbn=value: invalid character (help). - β Kumar (2009). Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of DiseaseProfessional Edition, 8th ed. Saunders, An Imprint of Elsevier.
- β Cotran, Robbins (2009). Pathologic Basis of Disease. Jacksonville, FL, U.S.A: Saunders//Elsevier. ISBNΒ 978-1-4160-3121-5.
- β SGO Clinical Practice Endometrial Cancer Working Group. Burke WM, Orr J, Leitao M, Salom E, Gehrig P; et al. (2014). “Endometrial cancer: a review and current management strategies: part I.” Gynecol Oncol. 134 (2): 385β92. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.05.018. PMIDΒ 24905773.
- β Furberg AS, Thune I (2003). “Metabolic abnormalities (hypertension, hyperglycemia and overweight), lifestyle (high energy intake and physical inactivity) and endometrial cancer risk in a Norwegian cohort”. Int J Cancer. 104 (6): 669β76. doi:10.1002/ijc.10974. PMIDΒ 12640672.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]
Screening
Overview
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.[1]
Endometrial Cancer Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.[1]
Women with Lynch syndrome have a risk of developing endometrial cancer up to 50% higher than the general population.
- Screening for endometrial cancer in women with Lynch syndrome by annual endometrial sampling is recommended starting at age 30 to 35 (or 5 to 10 years prior to the first diagnosed Lynch syndrome-associated cancer in a family member).[2]
References
- β 1.0 1.1 “Endometrial Cancer Screening”.
- β Lindor NM, Petersen GM, Hadley DW, Kinney AY, Miesfeldt S, Lu KH; et al. (2006). “Recommendations for the care of individuals with an inherited predisposition to Lynch syndrome: a systematic review”. JAMA. 296 (12): 1507β17. doi:10.1001/jama.296.12.1507. PMIDΒ 17003399.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[3]
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview
Natural History
Complications
Complications are usually due to the therapy. They can be classified as –
- Intra-operative-
- Uterine perforation following D&C or biopsy.
- Hemorrhage after lymphadenectomy
- Post-operative- typically common as many females have comorbid conditions like obesity, increased age, etc when they develop endometrial cancer. Of note is thromboembolism.
Prognosis
Of all prognostic factors to consider in endometrial cancer, staging is the most important one. Surgical histopathology contributes to it. Clear cell and papillary serous types are associated with a poor prognosis and are included in the histological category of poorly differentiated variety. As far as squamous types are concerned, it is just the adeno component which plays a key role in prognosis. More the adeno component, worse the prognosis.
It is the depth and not the grade of myometrial invasion that is important, as with increasing depth, there are high chances of extra-uterine spread. Lymph node metastasis is equally important and must be correlated with other prognostic factors. A positive peritoneal cytology needs only to be reported but it does not change the stage.
Because endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed in the early stages (70Β % to 75Β % of cases are in stage 1 at diagnosis; 10Β % to 15Β % of cases are in stage 2; 10Β % to 15Β % of cases are in stage 3 or 4), there is a better probable outcome associated with it than with other types of gynecological cancers such as cervical or ovarian cancer. While endometrial cancers are 40% more common in Caucasian women, an African American woman who is diagnosed with uterine cancer is twice as likely to die, possibly due to the higher frequency of aggressive subtypes in that population.
Survival rates
The 5-year survival rate for endometrial cancer following appropriate treatment is:
- 75% to 95% for stage 1
- 50% for stage 2
- 30% for stage 3
- less than 5% for stage 4
References
complications and prognosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Physical
A complete medical and family history and physical examination, engaging cancer genetics counseling and are crucial in narrowing down a diagnosis. Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common symptom of endometrial cancer. [1] Occasionally, cervicovaginal cytology or abnormal vaginal discharge may lead to the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Pap smears taken within 6 months prior to the diagnosis of endometrial cancers were reported to be abnormal 38% of the time, consistent with adenocarcinoma 21% of the time, and in 13% of cases showed atypical glandular cells. [2] The definitive diagnosis of endometrial cancer is accomplished by the use of histology. However, the personal and family history of the patient together with a complete physical examination are instrumental. Intrauterine pregnancy should be considered in women of reproductive age with abnormal uterine bleeding or amenorrhea unless post-menopausal status has been confirmed. If suspicious symptoms, signs, and/or family history are present, basic laboratory evaluation, cervical-vaginal Pap smear, and transvaginal ultrasound generally are considered. Patients with an abnormal Pap smear should undergo further investigation regardless of age. [3]
Transvaginal Ultrasound
This is often the next step when suspicious history or physical findings are seen. In some cases, abdominal ultrasound may also be used. In women aged 35 years or younger who are diagnosed with benign gynecologic conditions or non-gynecologic etiologies and are determined to be of low risk for endometrial pathology, transvaginal ultrasound can be skipped. However, if there is a subsequent failure of medical management, transvaginal ultrasound should be performed. [4] Transvaginal ultrasound should be performed in younger women with recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding and anovulatory bleeding in women over the age of 35 years together with examination under anesthesia with dilation and curettage or endometrial sampling in an outpatient setting. Any suspicious findings warrants further investigation. Currently, the cut-off for endometrial thickness that requires further investigation in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding is β₯5 mm in post-menopausal women as measured by transvaginal ultrasound. [5] However, a recent meta-analysis and systematic review recommended that the cut-off for exclusion of endometrial cancer in women with post-menopausal bleeding be changed to β€3 mm. [6] [7]
Endocervical Sampling and Endocervical Curettage
Endocervical sampling[ of endocervical curettage is sometimes done before endometrial sampling so determine if there is involvement of the cervix. Biopsies should be taken of any unusual findings and these may prove useful in planning patient management.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopic examination can be used in detection of endometrial polyps, which can be associated with endometrial cancer particularly among post-menopausal women. [8] When used in conjunction with dilation and curettage, hysteroscopy can be used in the removal of these polyps and detection of focal lesions. [9] [10] Hysteroscopy can also be used to detect submucosal myomas.
Endometrial Biopsy
When there are abnormal findings on transvaginal ultrasound such as endometrial thickness of β₯5 mm or any abnormal uterine or adnexal findings in women with post-menopausal bleeding, .
Other Diagnostic Methods
- If there is recurrent post-menopausal bleeding or the results of an endometrial biopsy is equivocal, evaluation under anesthesia and fractional dilation and curettage should be performed, and the diagnosis may be enhanced by hysteroscopy for the detection of focal lesions. [9] [10]
- Chest X-ray can be done pre-operatively to evaluate patients for metastasis.
- MRI can be performed in difficult cases when ovarian tumors, adnexal involvement, or parametrial invasion is suspected. [11]
- In patients that are Lynch syndrome mutation carriers, it is advisable to perform sonographic imaging, cystourethroscopy, and colonoscopy due to their increased risk of ovarian, urothelial, and colorectal cancer. [12] [13]
Staging Management of endometrial cancer and its precursor lesions depends upon the histotype and differentiation[[, extent of disease and status of the patient. The extent of endometrial carcinoma is surgically-pathologically classified, or “staged,” according to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) criteria published in 2009 as:
Stage I: Tumor confined to the corpus uteri
- IA: No invasion or invasion into less than half of the myometrium
- IB: Invasion equal into or more than half of the myometrium
Stage II: Tumor invades cervical stroma but does not extend beyond the uterus
Stage III: Local and/or regional spread of tumor
- IIIA: Tumor invades the serosa or corpus and/or adnexa
- IIIB: Vaginal and/or parametrial involvement
- IIIC: Metastases to pelvic and/or para-aortic nodes
- IIIC1: Positive pelvic nodes
- IIIC2: Positive para-aortic nodes with or without pelvic nodes
Stage IV: Tumor invades bladder and/or bowel mucosa or distant metastases
- IVA: Tumor invasion of bladder and/or bowel mucosa
- IVB: Distant metastases, including intra-abdominal and/or inguinal nodes
Although positive peritoneal cytology does not change FIGO staging, this finding is associated with other factors that portend a poor prognosis. [14]
It is important to understand that staging is a means of coding and reporting the extent of disease and not a formula for managing endometrial cancer. Current FIGO classification by stage depends upon both surgical and pathological findings. Generally, preinvasive neoplastic lesions are diagnosed clinically and pathologically without resort to surgery. Sometimes, it is necessary to clinically and pathologically “stage” cancers when surgery is incomplete or precluded because of co-morbidity or other forbidding reasons.
References
- β Pessoa JN, Freitas AC, Guimaraes RA, Lima J, Dos Reis HL, Filho AC (2014). “Endometrial Assessment: When is it Necessary?”. J Clin Med Res. 6 (1): 21β5. doi:10.4021/jocmr1684w. PMCΒ 3881985. PMIDΒ 24400027.
- β Lai CR, Hsu CY, Hang JF, Li AF (2015) The Diagnostic Value of Routine Papanicolaou Smears for Detecting Endometrial Cancers: An Update. Acta Cytol 59 (4):315-8. DOI:10.1159/000438975 PMID: 26315394
- β Tzur T, Kessous R, Weintraub AY (2017). “Current strategies in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer”. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 296 (1): 5β14. doi:10.1007/s00404-017-4391-z. PMIDΒ 28508342.
- β ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins–Gynecology. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2001). “ACOG practice bulletin: management of anovulatory bleeding”. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 72 (3): 263β71. doi:10.1016/s0020-7292(01)00357-5. PMIDΒ 11296797.
- β Park YR, Lee SW, Kim Y, Bae IY, Kim HK, Choe J | display-authors=etal (2019) Endometrial thickness cut-off value by transvaginal ultrasonography for screening of endometrial pathology in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol Sci 62 (6):445-453. DOI:10.5468/ogs.2019.62.6.445 PMID: 31777741
- β Goldstein RB, Bree RL, Benson CB, Benacerraf BR, Bloss JD, Carlos R; et al. (2001). “Evaluation of the woman with postmenopausal bleeding: Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound-Sponsored Consensus Conference statement”. J Ultrasound Med. 20 (10): 1025β36. doi:10.7863/jum.2001.20.10.1025. PMIDΒ 11587008.
- β Timmermans A, Opmeer BC, Khan KS, Bachmann LM, Epstein E, Clark TJ; et al. (2010). “Endometrial thickness measurement for detecting endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Obstet Gynecol. 116 (1): 160β7. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181e3e7e8. PMIDΒ 20567183.
- β Bel S, Billard C, Godet J, Viviani V, Akladios C, Host A; et al. (2017). “Risk of malignancy on suspicion of polyps in menopausal women”. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 216: 138β142. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.07.013. PMIDΒ 28763739.
- β 9.0 9.1 Gimpelson RJ, Rappold HO (1988). “A comparative study between panoramic hysteroscopy with directed biopsies and dilatation and curettage. A review of 276 cases”. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 158 (3 Pt 1): 489β92. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(88)90011-7. PMIDΒ 3348309.
- β 10.0 10.1 Epstein E, Ramirez A, Skoog L, Valentin L (2001). “Dilatation and curettage fails to detect most focal lesions in the uterine cavity in women with postmenopausal bleeding”. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 80 (12): 1131β6. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0412.2001.801210.x. PMIDΒ 11846711.
- β Epstein E, Blomqvist L (2014). “Imaging in endometrial cancer”. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 28 (5): 721β39. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2014.04.007. PMIDΒ 24852891.
- β Barrow E, Robinson L, Alduaij W, Shenton A, Clancy T, Lalloo F; et al. (2009). “Cumulative lifetime incidence of extracolonic cancers in Lynch syndrome: a report of 121 families with proven mutations”. Clin Genet. 75 (2): 141β9. doi:10.1111/j.1399-0004.2008.01125.x. PMIDΒ 19215248.
- β Hiatt MJ, Casey MJ, Lynch HT, Snyder CL, Stacey M, Walters RW (2018). “Efficacy of proximal colectomy for surgical management of right-sided first colorectal cancer in Lynch Syndrome mutation carriers”. Am J Surg. 216 (1): 99β105. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.11.003. PMIDΒ 29153248.
- β Seagle BL, Alexander AL, Lantsman T, Shahabi S (2018). “Prognosis and treatment of positive peritoneal cytology inΒ early endometrial cancer: matched cohort analyses fromΒ the National Cancer Database”. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 218 (3): 329.e1β329.e15. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.11.601. PMIDΒ 29223598.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ogechukwu Hannah Nnabude, MD
Treatment
Treatment
Surgery
About 90% of women with endometrial cancer are treated with some form of surgery. [1] It is most often the initial treatment for endometrial cancer. Surgical treatment typically consists of hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes. In the United States,lymphadenectomy is routinely performed for all stages of endometrial cancer, However, in the United Kingdom, the lymph nodes are typically only removed with disease of stage II or greater. [2] The benefit of lymphadenectomy in stage I disease is still being contested. [3] Women who undergo lymphadenectomy are at risk of morbidity related to surgery or formation of lymphoedema/lymphocyst. [4] In stage III and IV cancers, cytoreductive surgery is often the management of choice, [5] and omental biopsy may also be performed. [6] Surgery can be done as part of palliative therapy in patients with stage IV disease in which there is distant metastasis. [3] The prognosis for stage III, stage IV, and recurrent endometrial cancers may be improved with maximum surgical debulking, especially if it is performed till tumor is > 1 cm. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] While laparotomy is the traditional surgical procedure, laparoscopic surgery is associated with reduced operative morbidity and similar overall and disease free survival and is the preferred method in patients that are suspected to have early stage primary endometrial cancer. [6] Contraindications to surgery occur in about 5β10% of cases and include: [3]
- inoperable tumor
- massive obesity
- high-risk operations
- desire to preserve fertility
The side effects of surgical treatment include temporary incontinence, lymphedema and sexual dysfunction.
Adjuvant Therapies
The use of other therapies after surgery is called adjuvant therapy.[5] These include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. One or both may be used and is often considered in cases of high-risk or high-grade cancers.
Radiotherapy
Adjuvant radiotherapy is often used in stage I and stage II endometrial cancer. It can be delivered via external beam radiotherapy or via vaginal brachytherapy, which is the preferred route due to its lower toxicity. External beam radiotherapy can be used to treat cancer remnants in the pelvis following surgery, while vaginal brachytherapy is used to treat cancer remnants that are located in the vagina. Although external beam radiotherapy significantly reduces the rate of relapse in the pelvis, overall survival and metastasis rates are not improved. [16] Overall, vaginal brachytherapy provides a better quality of life than external beam radiotherapy. [3] Brachytherapy and/or external beam radiotherapy can also be used when hysterectomy is contraindicated. [3]
Chemotherapy
This often involve the use of a combination of paclitaxel (or other taxanes like docetaxel), doxorubicin (and other anthracyclines), and platins (particularly cisplatin and carboplatin). Adjuvant chemotherapy has been found to increase survival in stage III and IV cancer more than added radiotherapy. [5] [3] [1] Mutations in mismatch repair genes, like those found in Lynch syndrome, can lead to resistance against platins. [17] Side effects of chemotherapy include neutropenia, alopecia, and gastrointestinal disturbances. [5] Palliative chemotherapy may also be used in patients in which surgical treatment is either not feasible or helpful. Use of chemotherapy at higher doses is associated with longer survival. [5] [1]
Hormonal therapy
Previously thought to be useful in most cases, hormonal therapy is now considered to helpful in only certain types of endometrial cancer. [16] [5] About 25% of metastatic endometrioid cancers show a response to progestins. Since endometrial stromal sarcomas typically have estrogen, progestin receptors, or both, they may be treated with with hormonal agents. Progestin receptors function as tumor suppressors in endometrial cancer cells. [18] Preliminary research and clinical trials have shown these treatments to have a high rate of response even in metastatic disease. [19]
Monitoring
CA-125 is a tumor marker that can be monitored for elevation in endometrial cancer and can be used to determine the response to therapy, especially in serous cell cancer or advanced disease. [20] Periodic MRIs or CT scansmay be beneficial in advanced disease. Pelvic examinations are recommended to be conducted every three to four months for the first two years following treatment, and every six months for the next three years. [3] PET/CT scanning is recommended if there is a suspicion of recurrence. [3]
References
- β 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR (2012). “Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (8): CD003915. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003915.pub4. PMCΒ 7104534 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMIDΒ 22895938. - β Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S (2011). “Endometrial cancer”. BMJ. 343: d3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMIDΒ 21734165.
- β 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C | display-authors=etal (2013) Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 24 Suppl 6 ():vi33-8. DOI:10.1093/annonc/mdt353 PMID: 24078661
- β Frost JA, Webster KE, Bryant A, Morrison J (2017). “Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 10: CD007585. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007585.pub4. PMCΒ 6485923. PMIDΒ 28968482.
- β 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Galaal K, Al Moundhri M, Bryant A, Lopes AD, Lawrie TA (2014). “Adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (5): CD010681. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010681.pub2. PMCΒ 6457820. PMIDΒ 24832785.
- β 6.0 6.1 Galaal K, Donkers H, Bryant A, Lopes AD (2018) Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage endometrial cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 10 ():CD006655. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006655.pub3 PMID: 30379327
- β Goff BA, Goodman A, Muntz HG, Fuller AF, Nikrui N, Rice LW (1994). “Surgical stage IV endometrial carcinoma: a study of 47 cases”. Gynecol Oncol. 52 (2): 237β40. doi:10.1006/gyno.1994.1038. PMIDΒ 8314145.
- β Bristow RE, Zerbe MJ, Rosenshein NB, Grumbine FC, Montz FJ (2000). “Stage IVB endometrial carcinoma: the role of cytoreductive surgery and determinants of survival”. Gynecol Oncol. 78 (2): 85β91. doi:10.1006/gyno.2000.5843. PMIDΒ 10926785.
- β Chi DS, Barakat RR (2001). “Surgical management of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer”. Surg Clin North Am. 81 (4): 885β96. doi:10.1016/s0039-6109(05)70172-9. PMIDΒ 11551132.
- β Bristow RE, Zahurak ML, Alexander CJ, Zellars RC, Montz FJ (2003). “FIGO stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma: resection of macroscopic nodal disease and other determinants of survival”. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 13 (5): 664β72. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1438.2003.13385.x. PMIDΒ 14675352.
- β Lambrou NC, GΓ³mez-MarΓn O, Mirhashemi R, Beach H, Salom E, Almeida-Parra Z; et al. (2004). “Optimal surgical cytoreduction in patients with Stage III and Stage IV endometrial carcinoma: a study of morbidity and survival”. Gynecol Oncol. 93 (3): 653β8. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2004.03.015. PMIDΒ 15196860.
- β Awtrey CS, Cadungog MG, Leitao MM, Alektiar KM, Aghajanian C, Hummer AJ; et al. (2006). “Surgical resection of recurrent endometrial carcinoma”. Gynecol Oncol. 102 (3): 480β8. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.01.007. PMIDΒ 16490236.
- β Bristow RE, Santillan A, Zahurak ML, Gardner GJ, Giuntoli RL, Armstrong DK (2006). “Salvage cytoreductive surgery for recurrent endometrial cancer”. Gynecol Oncol. 103 (1): 281β7. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.03.011. PMIDΒ 16631236.
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ogechukwu Hannah Nnabude, MD
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2] Ogechukwu Hannah Nnabude, MD
