Are uterine polyps and endometrial cancer the same?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 10, 2025
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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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Endometrial cancer leukorrhea symptoms

The main manifestation of endometrial discharge is an increase in the amount of discharge, which can be watery or bloody. Sometimes, it can also appear as pus-blood-like discharge. Another main symptom of endometrial cancer is irregular vaginal bleeding. During an ultrasound, uneven echoes can be seen within the uterine cavity. The patient may also experience pain in the lower abdomen and increased menstrual flow. Therefore, if there are abnormalities in menstruation or unusual vaginal discharge, it is necessary to promptly go to the hospital for an ultrasound and gynecological examinations, and receive treatment based on the results of these tests.

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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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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.