In the uterus of a woman, there are two layers of tissue: the endometrium, which is the inner lining and the myometrium, which is the outer layer of muscle. Every month, the body of a woman of childbearing age prepares itself for the potential of becoming pregnant -- the lining of the uterus grows thick in hopes that a fertilized egg will attach itself. When this does not happen, the inner lining sheds as thick and bloody discharge through the vagina, which is commonly referred to as menstruation.
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that starts in the endometrium, or inner lining of the uterus. It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, resulting in an estimated 43,000 new cases each year. Endometrial cancer is considered an older woman’s cancer because it rarely is seen in women under the age of 40.
Treatment options for women with endometrial cancer will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, but likely will consist of a combination of one or more of the following:
- Surgery
- Surgery is the main, first-line treatment for endometrial cancer. A hysterectomy (the removal of both the uterus and cervix) is usually performed, along with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes). A radical hysterectomy, which includes the removal of the uterus, cervix, tissues surrounding the cervix and the upper part of the vagina, also may be performed if the endometrial cancer has spread to the cervix.
- Radiation Therapy
- For the treatment of endometrial cancer, radiation therapy is given either externally or internally, and is may be given before surgery to try to shrink the tumor or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. It also may be recommended as a first-line treatment for women who can not undergo surgery for one reason or another.
- Chemotherapy
- A combination of two or more chemotherapeutic agents typically are used to treat endometrial cancer. The most commonly used therapies include carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin and paclitaxel.
- Hormone Therapy
- The use of hormone therapy to fight the endometrial cancer cells also is a common treatment option. The main types of hormone treatments used are called progestins, which use the female hormone progestin to slow the growth of the cancerous cells. The breast cancer drug, tamoxifen, also is used to stop the role that estrogen plays in encouraging the growth of cancer cells. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) agonists can be used to lower estrogen levels. Finally, a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors also are used to lower estrogen levels after surgery.
