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Overview of Corpus Uteri Cancer
Cancer of the Corpus Uteri is one of the most common gynecological cancers in Hong Kong. According to cancer registry, there were 667 new cases in 2009, making it ranked 4th on the top ten female cancers list.
The Corpus Uteri locates right in the middle of the pelvis, in the lower abdomen, connects with the vagina, and it is composed by muscle, in an inverted pear-shaped. The tip of the vagina is called the cervix, where cervical cancer is a completely different cancer from our subject. Most of the corpus uteri cancer occurs in the endometrium (the inner lining).
Causes of Corpus Uteri Cancer
It is yet unclear what the exact causes of corpus uteri cancer are. But there are some high risk factors:
- Age:
Corpus uteri cancer tends to occur in women ages 50 to 64.
- Obesity:
Women who are obese have a greater chance of developing corpus uteri cancer.
- Tamoxifen Therapy:
Tamoxifen is a hormone drug used to treat breast cancer, long term consummation will lead to increased risk of developing corpus uteri
- Inherited:
Most cases are not inherited, but a minor proportion of young patients are caused by abnormal genes.
Types of Corpus Uteri Cancer
There are two major types of uterine cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma.
This type of cancer makes up more than 95% of uterine cancers. It develops from cells in the lining of the uterus, the endometrium. This cancer is also commonly called endometrial cancer.
- Sarcoma.
This form of uterine cancer develops in the myometrium (the uterine muscle) or in the supporting tissues of the uterine glands. Sarcoma accounts for about 2% to 4% of uterine cancers.
Symptoms of Corpus Uteri Cancer
- Irregular vaginal bleedings, may include: bleeding between menstruations, unusual flows of menstruations, or bleeding after menopause
- Unusual Vaginal Discharge
- Pain in the Pelvic
- Pain during intercourse
Diagnosis of Corpus Uteri Cancer
- Hysteroscopy:
During a hysteroscopy, the doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with lights, through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. It will allow the doctor to have a clear view of the inside of the endometrium, at the same time, the doctor can remove a sample for biopsy.
- Biopsy:
It does not require any anesthesia to get a biopsy in the uterus. The doctor will remove a small sample from the endometrium and will send to the laboratory for further investigation.
- Dilatation and curettage (D&C):
A dilatation and curettage procedure requires a general anesthesia. The doctor will use a tool to dilate the cervix, then scrape a certain amount of tissue from the lining of the uterus. The sample will be taken to the laboratory for further examination. This procedure provides very accurate diagnosis.
- Vaginal Ultrasound :
It uses sound wave to create images in the uterus. The procedure might be slightly uncomfortable.
If your doctor suspects corpus uteri cancer, they will arrange further tests to confirm the diagnosis and check for signs of spreading, and staging to determine the appropriate treatment plans. Further tests may include：
- Blood test: It gives a better understand of patient’s overall health and kidney functions.
- CT Scan: This procedure will take a series of x-ray pictures from all angles, in order to create a three dimensional picture. CT scan can point out the tumour location, sizes and metastasis conditions precisely. The patient may need to take a contrast medium for better details.
Staging of Corpus Uteri Cancer
- Stage I:
Tumour is only found on the endometrium or the myometrium, it grows relatively slow, and have no signs of metastasis.
- Stage II:
Tumour is found in the uterus and cervix.
- Stage III:
The tumour is growing aggressively. Cancer cells have spread to nearby tissues, including the serosa of the pelvis, vagina and nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV:
Cancer cells have spread to other organs, such as the bladder or the rectum.
Treatment for Corpus Uteri Cancer
Oncare's News Article about Corpus Uteri Cancer ： (to be updated)
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