Uterine cancer

Endometrial Cancer is, simply put, several malignancies occurring at the endometrium, and is sometimes called uterine cancer. Endometrial Cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. It is classified as a carcinoma, usually adenocarcinoma, because it originates from the single layer of epithelial cells lining the endometrium. Two pathogenteic groups of this cancer exist. Type 1 occurs in pre- and peri-menopausal women, often with a history of unopposed estrogen. It is often minimally invasive and carries a good prognosis. Type 2 occurs in older and post-menopausal women, often African-Americans, are not related to increased estrogen exposure, and carries a poor prognosis.

Symptoms include vaginal bleeding or spotting, abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, lower abdominal pain, thin white and clear discharge. Risk factors include obesity, high estrogen levels, hypertension, diabetes, high intake of animal fat, heavy daily alcohol consumption, infertility and others. Diagnosis is carried out with routine screening, a dilation and curettage in some cases, hysteroscopy, and endometrial biopsy. Treatment includes vaginal hysterectomy.