1. Infertility
2. Obesity (fat tissue changes hormones into estrogen)
3. Previous cancer treatments (the use of tamoxifen for treatment of breast cancer or radiation therapy for pelvic cancer)
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome,  where fluid-filled sacs from on the ovaries
5. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for longer than one year
6. Diet (high in animal fats)
7. Diabetes
8. High blood pressure
9. Few or no children
10. Age (risk increases after the age of 40)
11. Race (Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease but black women are more likely to die from it).
12. Factors that may decrease the risk of developing endometrial cancer include:
13. A diet high in fruits and vegetables
14. Maintaining a healthy body weight
15. Using oral contraceptives for a lengthy period can decrease the risk of endometrial cancer even up to ten years after use has been discontinued
16. Maintaining normal blood pressure
17. Regular pelvic exams and pap smears

Genetic Links

The chances of developing endometrial cancer increase if there is a family history of colon or endometrial cancer. Patients who have experienced cancer of the breast or ovaries are also at increased risk.


Detection and Diagnosis

The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding  with associated pain.

Physicians who suspect endometrial cancer will likely order a pap test to assess cervical abnormalities, and proceed to an endometrial biopsy or a D & C * to obtain the tissue sample necessary to confirm a diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

* A D&C, or a dilation and curettage, is a minor operation that involves scraping  the lining of the cervical canal and uterine lining to obtain a sample for microscopic examination. 



Treatment

Treatment options for endometrial cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, sometimes in combination depending on the extent of the disease.


Surgery

Surgical treatment is a total abdominal hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries). The physician may also recommend a pelvic lymph node dissection, or the sampling  of lymph nodes from the pelvis.

Chemotherapy may be used in certain types of endometrial cancer depending on the results of surgery.

Radiation therapy using  concentrated beams of high-energy X-rays, is sometimes used to treat the pelvis in  women who have a higher risk of recurrence.

Hormonal therapy is sometimes of use because this cancer comes from tissue that is sensitive to hormones. Treatment with progestin can be an option for women with early stage cancer who wish to keep the ability to have children.This would be done under the supervision of a gynecologic oncologist.

Links:

 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (U.S.) guide to treatment decisions with links to other sites



Factors Affecting Prognosis

Early detection is the key factor affecting survival of endometrial cancer. When diagnosed early more than 80 per cent of women will live more than five years and most will be completely cured.

For endometrial cancer patients

• Clinical trial information
• Guide to radiation therapy
• Guide to chemotherapy