Endometrial Carcinomas are cancers that begin in the inner lining of the uterus. The uterus is composed of two distinct layers: the inner layer is the endometrium, and the outer layer is the myometrium. Encometrial Carcinomas are defined as the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the endometrium.
Many scientists have come to the conclusion that this form of Endometrial Cancer is due to an abnormally high presence of estrogen in the body. The medical outlook associated with this form of cancer is generally positive, with the majority of healthy glands being preserved in the earlier stages of the cancer.
This, combined with the relatively unaggressive nature of the cancer, can sometimes result in a failure to recognize the potential danger that the disease holds, as type I Endometrial Cancers typically do metastasize (spread) fairly easily.
Many of the symptoms of Endometrial Carcinomas are quite visible, with a major indicator being defined by the presence of abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can involve anything from a drastic change in the duration of a period or the time that passes in between periods. While such symptoms are not always indicative of Endometrial Carcinomas, it is important to get these issues examined by a medical professional to prevent future problems.
While Uterine Sarcomas are far less common than Endometrial Carcinomas, they share so much in common that comparisons between them are inevitable. Like Endometrial Carcinomas, Euterine Sarcomas typically originate in the endometrium. Tehy are often much more aggressive than Endometiral Carcinomas, something that explains why they are often refered to as the 2nd form of Endometrial Carcinomas. Because of this, Uterine Sarcomas are more likely to spread throughout the body.
Thankfully, the many symptoms that indicate the presence of Uterine Sarcomas are relatively visible and as a result make it easier to detect this form of cancer before advanced development can be achieved. These include: vaginal bleeding, pain in the cervix, massive weight loss, and widespread fatiuge.
The first thing that happens when a patient is diagnosed with any form of Endometrial Cancer is the formation of a treatment plan that is specifically suited to fit the patient's needs. The oncologist is a general cancer doctor that establishes the optimal treatment roadmap for the patient. The nuclear medicine doctor is a specialist who applies radioactive substances to diagnose and treat various endometrial tumors. Lastly, the OBGYN Doctor is an expert who focuses on reproductive health in women and studies the behavior of the eterus in terms of how it reacts to the cancer.
Depending on the type and stage of the tumor and other factors, treatment options for Endometrial Cancer can include: Surgery (Hysterectomy), radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, more than one type of treatment plan is used in order to ensure maximum effectiveness. When choosing which treatment plan is best for the patient, doctors consider the location and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, the chances of curing the disease, and the possible impact of the treatment on the uterus.
For many women, surgery is the go-to treatment for Endometrial Cancer of any form. The specific type of surgery that is done is called a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy involves removing the uterus as well as any other troublesome satellite structures of the uterus such as the cervix or ovaries. While the basic idea behind a hysterectomy has not changed over the past couple of years, advancements in our understanding of how the uterus functions has made the surgery more effective and safe.
The goal when conducting a hysterectomy is to control the growth of the cancerous cells through the removal of tumors. Thus, the surgery is most effective when treating type I Endometrial Carcinomas, as many of the tumors associated with this form of cancer have yet to spread beyond the place of origin. It is not uncommon for the entire uterus to be removed in order to completely eradicate all cancerous cells from the body.
There has been a massive effort over the past few decades to improve this form of surgery to ensure a higher degree of success. In adherance to this fact, medical facilities all around the world have adopted robotic systems that guide these surgeries, offering up the enhanced precision necessary to save lives.
One of the most exciting developments in the area of Endometrial Cancer treatment has presented itself in the form of advanced hormone therapy. To be more specific, the progestin family of hormones cause cancerous cells to react in a manner that is useful for containing the spread of Endometrial Cancer.
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (clinically known as Provera) and Megestrol Acetate (clinically known as Megace) are two drugs that have been recently engineered through advanced medical research and technological advancements. The purpose of these two drugs is to rapidly slow ultimately destroy the cancerous cells in the uterus. These drugs are often combined to achieve powerful effects that rarely affect the quality of life for the patient. Therapy of this kind is useful in cases when more intrusive treatment methods such as chemotherapy are not an option.
The Foundation for Women's Cancer is an organization that has been tirelessly working to combat cancer in females since its inception in 1991. They attempt to reach this goal on three different fronts: raising public awareness, providing education, and supporting research for top institutions around the world.
Their work would go unfulfilled without the continuous support provided by people like you. The foundation has to date funded 2.5 million dollars in research, and the recipients were able to return nearly 58 million dollars in the form of extramural research funding. That is a 23-fold return on investment. This kind of astonishing growth can only continue with the support of you. Click the link below to donate, and to help bring this planet one step closer to eradicating the threat of diseases like Endometrial Cancer forever.
The Mary Kay Foundation is an organization founded in memoriam of Mary Kay, a cancer patient who died Thankgiving day 2001, and her dream to further cancer research to the benefit of patients all around the world. This foundation is not specific to Endometrial Cancers, instead seeking to confront all cancers that afflict women. This includes, but is not limited to, diseases such as Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer.
The mission statement of the Mary Kay foundation is a simple one: to continuously provide support for top medical facilities in order to help fund research that leads to the eradication of cancer afflicting women while also ending the disease of domestic violence all around the world by providing shelters and local outreach programs. They have been tremendously successful in both respects, and have to date awarded over 17.3 million dollars to top cancer researchers around the globe.
People like you are the ones who keep foundations such as this running. Because of the continued support of generous individuals, these foundations are able to keep up their work and slowly destroy a disease that plagues women around the world. Take a simple step forward today, and contribute to the battle against Endometrial Cancer and diseases like it through The Mary Kay Foundation.
In order to succeed in the fight for life we must join together and connect. Through social media, the sharing of stories, and advancement in research we, together, have the opportunity to beat Endometrial Cancer.