About this disease
What it is about
It is a tumor disease that originates from the endometrium and progressively spreads in the uterus. In the rare situation of advanced disease, offshoots in the abdomen, lungs and other organs are also possible. From the age of 50, the risk of the disease increases. Patients are on average significantly older at the time of diagnosis. Uterine cancer is the most common tumor of the lower genital tract worldwide. The probability of developing uterine cancer is increased in the case of certain hereditary changes.
Types
The most common subtype is endometroid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. About five percent of uterine diseases are caused by a germline genetic defect, most frequently the so-called Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer - HNPCC) or Cowden syndrome. Often it is also a so-called serous adenocarcinoma - a much more aggressive form. A number of other subtypes occur much less frequently.
Symptoms and consequences
In more than 90 percent of cases, a diagnosis of uterine cancer is made because of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Bleeding may occur between menstrual cycles or, more commonly, after menopause. Possible risk factors include, for example, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, early onset of the first menstrual period, and late postmenopause and childlessness.
What we do for you
Examination and diagnosis
If uterine cancer is suspected, the gynecologist performs a uterus endoscopy. If there is anything abnormal, a tissue sample is taken and examined in the laboratory. This is followed by imaging examinations such as computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an ultrasound (sonography). If a malignant change is present, the situation is discussed in an interdisciplinary tumor case discussion, the so-called tumor board, together with specialists from different fields.
Treatment
If the cancer has not yet spread further in the body, the uterus is surgically removed. The further procedure is discussed in the tumor board. Often, no further measures are necessary. However, depending on the situation, radiation and, in rare cases, chemotherapy may have to be considered. If there are offshoots of the tumor in the body, the tissue is examined further and an individual treatment concept is determined.