How to perform surgery for endometrial cancer

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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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 Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is endometrial cancer diagnosed?

If it concerns endometrial cancer, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and menstrual disorders during the menopausal transition should prompt an exclusion of endometrial cancer. The most common and valuable method for diagnosing endometrial cancer is through pathological examination results, especially via fractional curettage. The advantage of fractional curettage is that it can differentiate between endometrial cancer and cervical adenocarcinoma, and it can clarify whether the cervical canal is involved, providing a basis for formulating treatment plans. In addition, endometrial cancer can also be assessed using a B-mode ultrasound, but this is only used to provide reference values for clinical diagnosis and management. Another method is hysteroscopy, which allows direct observation of the uterine cavity and cervical canal for any lesions, and tissue can also be collected for biopsy, which is also a very good method.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of Endometrial Cancer

Patients with endometrial cancer generally have factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity that induce the condition. They are more prone to developing endometrial cancer. Furthermore, endometrial cancer is divided into hormone-dependent and non-hormone-dependent types. Hormone-dependent endometrial cancer occurs when there is an excess of estrogen produced in the body without sufficient counteraction by progesterone, leading to excessive growth and proliferation of the endometrial lining. When this growth becomes uncontrolled, it can lead to cancer. Non-hormone-dependent endometrial cancer is not caused by hormonal factors and its development is more complex. Additionally, the pathology type of non-hormone-dependent endometrial cancer is also quite unique.

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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 Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 7sec home-news-image

How is endometrial cancer detected?

When women experience irregular vaginal bleeding, or vaginal bleeding reoccurs after menopause, and uterine endometrial cancer is suspected, the first step is to conduct a routine gynecological examination to identify whether the bleeding originates from the uterine cavity or the cervix. Additionally, an ultrasound examination can be conducted to observe the condition inside the uterine cavity, the thickness of the endometrium, whether the thickness is uniform, and whether there are any abnormal growths, to understand whether the woman might have uterine endometrial cancer. However, these methods usually cannot provide a diagnosis and only serve to assess or suggest the possibility of endometrial cancer. For a definitive diagnosis, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage can be performed, and the results of the pathological examination can confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Late-stage symptoms of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is a common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system. In advanced stages, patients often experience irregular vaginal bleeding. In addition, there may be bloody discharge from the vagina. If an infection is present or there are signs of necrosis due to the cancer, there may also be purulent discharge or other foul odors. Additionally, there are more apparent symptoms such as pain, abdominal masses, and in late stages, the cancer may invade blood vessels, causing swelling in the lower limbs, or spread to nearby organs, such as the ureters, leading to renal damage. Over time, this can also lead to cachexia, fever, and other signs of systemic failure.