Are uterine cancer and endometrial cancer the same?

Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Uterine cancer is divided into cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the epithelium and glandular tissue of the cervix, while endometrial cancer is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. The two types of cancer differ due to their different sites of origin. Accordingly, the examination and treatment methods adopted are also not completely the same based on the different sites of origin. However, both cervical and endometrial cancers are primarily treated with surgery, followed by corresponding radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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Are uterine polyps and endometrial cancer the same?

Endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer are different. First, both can be induced by hormonal imbalances in the body, but endometrial polyps may also involve inflammatory elements, leading to the formation of polyps. Additionally, the age of onset differs; endometrial polyps are more common in women of reproductive age, whereas endometrial cancer typically occurs after the age of 45. Furthermore, their clinical manifestations vary. Women with endometrial polyps mainly experience changes in menstrual cycles and infertility, and generally, endometrial polyps grow slowly. In contrast, women with endometrial cancer mainly experience abdominal pain, heavy vaginal discharge, or bleeding. In advanced stages, women may exhibit signs of cachexia. These two conditions can be differentiated through diagnostic curettage.

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How is endometrial cancer diagnosed?

Endometrial cancer often manifests as vaginal bleeding after menopause, and in women who have not experienced menopause, it often presents as menstrual irregularities. The diagnostic methods for endometrial cancer include the following: 1. Fractional curettage is the most important method for diagnosing endometrial cancer. First, scrape the cervical canal, then sequentially scrape the endometrial tissue from each part of the uterine body, label the specimens separately, and send them for pathological examination together. 2. Cytological examination is a method for screening for endometrial cancer. A specially made uterine cavity suction tube or brush is inserted into the uterine cavity to collect secretions for cytological culture. 3. Hysteroscopic examination allows direct observation of the growth of endometrial lesions and can also obtain live tissue for pathological examination. It involves pelvic ultrasound examination to understand the size of the lesion, surrounding infiltration, etc. 5. Other methods, such as lymphangiography, CT, MRI, and serum CA125 testing.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
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Can endometrial cancer patients become pregnant?

After the occurrence of endometrial cancer, it is not possible to become pregnant. This is because, after pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases, and her resistance to illness declines. This will affect the woman's health and may exacerbate the condition of endometrial cancer. Additionally, women with endometrial cancer, even if they become pregnant, may experience miscarriages as the embryo cannot develop normally, and even many harmful symptoms might occur, affecting the woman's health. Therefore, women with endometrial cancer should take contraceptive measures to prevent unintended pregnancies.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Endometrial cancer B-ultrasound manifestations

Normally, the endometrium has a certain thickness. Patients with endometrial cancer usually show thickening of the endometrium, accompanied by irregular bleeding and abdominal pain. In severe cases, patients may experience excessive discharge from the half-vagina, accompanied by a fishy and foul odor. Typically, in cases of endometrial cancer, an ultrasound can reveal thickening of the endometrium and abnormal endometrial echoes, and some patients may show significant blood flow signals around the area according to reports. These signs generally suggest a high likelihood of endometrial cancer. The diagnosis of endometrial cancer typically involves undergoing a diagnostic curettage at the hospital. The tissue scrapped during this procedure is sent for pathology. Afterward, based on the pathology results, the type and nature of the endometrial cancer are determined. Therefore, the presence of endometrial cancer can generally be inferred from an ultrasound as well.

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How many times for endometrial cancer chemotherapy?

Post-surgical treatment for endometrial cancer often requires adjunct therapies, commonly including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The frequency of chemotherapy primarily depends on whether the pathological results of the endometrial cancer reveal high-risk factors. If no high-risk factors are present, regular observation and follow-ups are generally advised. However, if high-risk factors are present, such as lymph node metastasis or local infiltration, this condition requires 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy after surgery, supplemented by radiotherapy. Thus, for endometrial cancer, if high-risk factors exist, chemotherapy is needed for 4-6 cycles; if no high-risk factors are present, chemotherapy is generally unnecessary, and regular follow-ups suffice.