Cancer of the uterus

Cancer of the uterus is characterized by a growth of malignant cells in the uterus or womb and is a relatively common form of cancer among older women, especially those between the age of 50 to 60 years.

The main symptom which is very unusual is the presence of abnormal bleeding. In post-menopausal women, this occurs after menstruation has stopped and maybe followed by a watery or mucus-containing discharge which may contain blood. In pre-menopausal women, abnormal bleeding occurs which is not connected with menstruation. A woman with symptom of abnormal bleeding should see her doctor for medical advice.

The cause of uterine cancer is unknown, but the risk of developing this kind of cancer increases with diabetes mellitus, a history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in the family, in menstrual cycles in which an egg is not released and there is no input of progesterone, during estrogen therapy as well as those who are overweight or who have high blood pressure (hypertension) or disorders of hormonal imbalance. There is a risk that the cancer will spread which is likely to be fatal.

Treatment involves surgery to remove the womb (hysterectomy) including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Radiotherapy and treatment with progesterone hormone may be necessary.

If the cancer can be detected early and given proper treatment, prognosis is quite good for the majority of patients.