Endometrial Cancer causes, symptoms and diagnosis.

Endometrial cancer means that the cells in the lining of your uterus grow abnormally. The cancer cells can spread to other parts of your body. Endometrial cancer is also called cancer of the uterus or uterine cancer. It’s usually cured when found early.

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Treatment usually involves surgery followed by radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of treatments. Because the majority of this cancer is detected and treated early, it is associated with better outcomes than other forms of gynaecological cancers.

Causes of Endometrial cancer

Cancer can develop in the inner or outer lining of the uterus. Cancer of the endometrium lining is the most common type of uterine cancer. Cancer occurs when the cells in the endometrium grow abnormally and out of control, instead of dividing in an orderly manner. The abnormal cancer cells form a tissue mass or a growth called a tumor. Increased levels of estrogen hormone appear to contribute to endometrial cancer development.

Symptoms of Endometrial cancer

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting may occur between your periods or after you have completed menopause.
• Extremely long, heavy, or frequent bleeding episodes can be indications of precancerous changes in women over the age of 40. 
• Postmenopausal women may experience a thin white or clear vaginal discharge.
• You may experience lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
• You may feel a lump or a mass in your lower abdomen.
• It may be difficult or painful to urinate.
• You may experience pain during sexual intercourse.
• You may also lose weight.

Diagnosis of Endometrial cancer

The symptoms of this type of cancer may be similar to the symptoms of other less serious conditions. It is important to have general symptoms and signs of uterine endometrial cancer evaluated by a doctor. Cancer that is detected early improves the likelihood of successful treatment.

• Your doctor will review your medical history and family history of cancer.
• Your doctor will examine your abdomen for any abnormal masses or lumps.
• Your doctor will perform a pelvic examination and a pap smear test.
• A transvaginal ultrasound may be used to produce images of the uterus and reproductive organs.
• A uterine tissue sample may be taken for biopsy, an examination for cancer or abnormal cells.
• In some cases, a dilation and curettage (D&C) surgery is necessary to remove the uterine lining to check for cancer or abnormal cells.

If you have endometrial cancer, your doctor will assign your cancer a classification stage based on the results of all of your tests. Staging describes the cancer and how it has metastasized. Cancer that has spread from its original site is termed metastasized cancer. Staging is helpful for treatment planning and recovery prediction.

There is more than one type of staging system for cancer, and you should make sure that you and your doctor are referring to the same one. Generally, lower numbers in a classification system indicate a less serious cancer, and higher numbers indicate a more serious cancer. The stages may be subdivided into grades or classifications that use letters and numbers.

Treatment for Endometrial cancer