Uterine Cancer: Sarcoma

The signs and symptoms of uterine cancer are similar to those of endometrial cancer and fibroids.

Check for the following symptoms:

• Sudden unusual vaginal bleeding that is not menstrual bleeding or bleeding after menopause
• Severe pelvic pain
• Smelly discharge
• A mass or tumor growth in the pelvis or vagina
• Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen
• Urge for frequent urination
• Constipation

The exact cause of uterine cancer is unknown, but there are a few factors that increase the risk of uterine cancer, including:

• History of radiation therapy
• History of treatment of breast cancer with tamoxifen
• Never having been pregnant
• A genetic disorder called retinoblastoma

The stages of uterine cancer include:

1. Stage I: The cancerous tumor is present in the uterus only.
2. Stage II: Cancer has spread beyond the uterus into the pelvis.
3. Stage III: Cancer has spread to areas in the abdomen and outside the pelvis, including lymph nodes.
4. Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs, including the rectum and bladder.

The following are the ways to diagnose uterine cancer:

• Physical examination: It also takes into account the medical history.
• Transvaginal ultrasound: A special transducer (about two to three inches long) is placed in the vagina to check the uterus and ovaries. It creates detailed images of soft tissues, including the reproductive organs. Sometimes, uterine cancer and fibroids may resemble the same on an ultrasound.
• Computed tomography: It takes pictures of internal organs using X-rays from different angles.
• MRI: MRIs use magnetic and radio waves to take pictures.
• Pelvic examination

The following are the different ways to treat uterine cancer:

• Surgery:
  • Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus and cervix by open or laparoscopic surgery.
  • Total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of the uterus with one or both ovaries or one or both the fallopian tubes.
  • Radical hysterectomy: Removal of uterus, cervix, and both the fallopian tubes, including surrounding tissues and part of the vagina.
  • Lymphadenectomy: Removal of lymph nodes to see any cancerous growths.
  • Laparotomy: A cut is made on the abdomen to check for any cancerous growth. In a few cases, the doctor may remove the affected organs.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to kill fast-growing cancer cells and stops them from growing. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or intravenously.
• Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy uses powerful rays to kill cancer cells. Radiotherapy is done after surgery.
• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy removes or blocks the hormones and stops the growth of cancer cells.