Is a thick endometrium the same as cancer?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Endometrial thickening is not necessarily cancerous. Causes of endometrial thickening generally include irregular hyperplasia or endometrial polyps, both of which can lead to thickening of the endometrium, but this is not necessarily indicative of cancer. Whether it is endometrial cancer is usually determined if patients with endometrial thickening do not show clear improvement after treatment with medication. Typically, a curettage procedure is performed to collect tissue for pathological examination. If the pathology report indicates endometrial cancer or precancerous lesions, then it will be reported. Therefore, endometrial thickening is not necessarily indicative of endometrial cancer, and it can occur with conditions like endometrial polyps or irregular endometrial hyperplasia. Treatment at this stage should be based on the pathological results. Thus, while endometrial thickening should be taken seriously, it is not necessarily cancerous.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is surgery necessary for endometrial cancer?

When a woman suffers from endometrial cancer, the primary treatment method is surgery, but there are some special circumstances. For example, if the lesion in the woman is relatively minor, it is atypical hyperplasia, which is a precancerous condition, or it is in the late stage of the disease, or in cases of recurrent endometrial cancer. At this time, treatment can be administered using progestogen drugs, applying high-dose long-term oral intake of effective progestogens, which can suppress the cancerous transformation of the endometrial lining and inhibit the further proliferation of cancer cells. Generally, it involves continuous oral administration for 12 weeks, which is three months, followed by a diagnostic curettage to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the drug. In addition, radiation therapy can also be considered.

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Written by Zhang Lu
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How is endometrial cancer staged?

Endometrial cancer is a common gynecological malignancy in women. Based on surgical and pathological results, endometrial cancer can be divided into four stages. Stage I is the mildest form of endometrial cancer, where the cancer is confined only within the endometrium and does not extend beyond the uterine serosa. Generally, stage 1a is when the cancer is less than half the width of the muscle, while stage 1b is when the cancer infiltrates more than half the width of the muscle. Stage II means the cancer has locally spread but only involves the cervix, without causing cervical stromal infiltration. Stage III involves local spread to the serosa and lymph nodes. Stage IV involves distant metastasis, such as to the liver and bones.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to perform surgery for endometrial cancer

Surgical treatment for endometrial cancer needs to be determined based on the specific stage and type of the cancer, as well as the size of the lesions. If the lesions are small and the cancer is in an early stage, a complete hysterectomy including the removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries can be performed. Intraoperative pathology assessment of the endometrium is also necessary to determine the specific pathological type. If it is a special type of endometrial cancer, it is also necessary to clear the pelvic lymph nodes. If the endometrial cancer is at a later stage and the lesions are larger, then in addition to the removal of the uterus and both fallopian tubes and ovaries, it is also necessary to clear the lymph nodes around the abdominal aorta in the pelvis.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is endometrial hyperplasia the same as cancer?

Endometrial hyperplasia is not cancer; it is caused by a prolonged absence of ovulation, which means there is no secretion of progesterone. This prevents the proliferative phase endometrium from transforming into the secretory phase, leading to hyperplasia. If the hyperplasia persists over an extended period, it may lead to precancerous changes in the endometrium, and in severe cases, it can cause endometrial cancer. Therefore, it is essential to treat endometrial hyperplasia with progesterone, which can transform the endometrium and allow it to shed completely, altering its condition and restoring it to normal. As long as there is ovulation, there is the production of progesterone, so promoting ovulation is crucial.

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What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?

Patients with endometrial cancer mainly experience symptoms in three areas: First, obvious symptoms caused by local tumors in the uterus, such as irregular vaginal bleeding, changes in the menstrual cycle, a sense of fullness and dull pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area, along with significant discomfort and pain. Second, clinical symptoms caused by metastatic lesions. Endometrial cancer can spread through three pathways, which after dissemination can cause a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, headache, vomiting, movement disorders, chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Some patients may also experience bone pain. Third, systemic symptoms, which are typically seen in advanced stages of endometrial cancer and commonly include cachexia, fever, and others.