What should I watch for? Cancer o...

What should I watch for?

Cancer of the lining of the uterus (or womb) is called endometrial cancer. The greatest in number common sign of endometrial cancer is unusual bleeding from your vagina, especially bleeding after you have already gone within menopause.

You can increase the chances that endometrial cancer will be establish early by having any unusual bleeding checked by the agency of your doctor right away. Endometrial cancer can almost always be treated fortunately if it is caught early.

Am I at risk for endometrial cancer?

Certain things may impose you at greater risk for getting endometrial cancer. undivided thing is age. Endometrial cancer is in the greatest degree common in women who are 50 to 60 years of age and older

You also may be at greater risk if you have had high flushs of estrogen in your material part Many things can increase your estrogen plain These include being extremely overweight, having high vital current pressure, or having diabetes.

Using estrogen therapy without taking progestin is also related to a greater risk for endometrial cancer. Taking progestin appears to offset this risk from the estrogen In fact, using birth sway pills that contain estrogen and progestin during the childbearing years assumes to decrease a woman's risk of endometrial cancer.

Other things that may set you at greater risk for endometrial cancer include having your first period before the age of 12 or going in consequence of menopause after the age of 52 Women who have in no degree been pregnant and women who use a medicine called tamoxifen also may be at greater risk.

by what mode is endometrial cancer diagnosed?

Endometrial cancer can be diagnosed by the agency of using endometrial biopsy or through dilatation and curettage (D & C) of the uterus. the two procedures can be effective.

What is an endometrial biopsy?

An endometrial biopsy is usually done in your doctor's office. It involves inserting a actual thin suction device into your uterus to suppress a bit of the lining. This sample is then experimented in a lab to check it for cancer.

General anesthesia is not extremityed but you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. You may have cramping or spotting after the management Your doctor may give you medicine for these problems

Pregnant women should not have an endometrial biopsy. recount your doctor if you think you could be pregnant.

What does a D & C involve?

A D & C can be done in your doctor's office or as an outpatient action at the hospital. It involves dilating (stretching) the cervix (the opening to the uterus) and then scraping or suctioning abroad the entire lining of the uterus. The lining is then sent to a lab to be tested

You may be given a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) or general anesthesia (put you into a sleep-like state) for a D & C This conduct is highly useful in diagnosing endometrial cancer. D & C can sometimes on a level be helpful as a treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding because it may make a clean sweep of the tissue that is causing problems

You may ble for a short while after the action and you may notice more [i]or[/i] less cramping. Your doctor may refer to that you not use tampons during this time and that you avoid having sex for a short while.

What is the treatment for endometrial cancer?

Treatment usually involves removing the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. You also may ne to take progestin to sprout high levels of estrogen. Sometimes radiation therapy or chemotherapy is stand in want ofed Treatment can be highly effective, especially if the cancer is base early.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group