What are uterine cancer symptoms. Signs of a malignant tumor of the uterus - the first manifestations, symptoms, diagnosis, stages and treatment. What complications can develop with chemotherapy for uterine cancer?

Content

Cancer of the uterus is one of the most common cancers. According to various sources, in terms of prevalence, it is in second place after a malignant tumor localized in the mammary gland.

Cancer of the uterus is more common in older patients. However, like other oncological pathologies, uterine cancer is rapidly growing younger. In modern gynecology, the first symptoms and signs of uterine cancer can be diagnosed in young women. According to statistics, signs of uterine cancer are found in women before menopause in 40% of cases.

Usually, in advanced stages, uterine cancer is detected in older women. Early detection stages are more common in women of reproductive age. However, in order to identify the disease at an early stage, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time and undergo an examination. The gynecologist determines the first symptoms and signs, prescribes the appropriate treatment.

As you know, the uterine wall is not homogeneous. Three interconnected layers can be distinguished in the structure of the uterine body.

Parametrium or serous membrane, which is the outer layer of the uterus.
Myometrium is the muscular layer, which is considered the middle uterine layer.
The endometrium or mucous membrane called the inner layer of the uterus.

Myometrium in the structure of the uterine body performs several important functions. Thanks to the muscular layer, the uterus increases in size during pregnancy, contracts during menstruation and childbirth.

The first signs of cervical cancer involve the lining of the uterus. The endometrium includes the functional and basal layer. The superficial functional layer grows during each cycle under the influence of sex hormones, thus preparing for a possible conception. If pregnancy does not occur, the accumulated layer is rejected, which is accompanied by the onset of critical days. The basal layer reserves allow the mucous membrane to be restored.

With the progression of cervical cancer at an early stage, all layers are gradually involved in the malignant process. Then the tumor spreads to the cervix and surrounding tissues. Over time, distant organs can be affected due to the occurrence of metastases.

Causes

Cervical cancer can have many causes and predisposing factors. Often, the appearance of signs and symptoms of pathology becomes a complex of various causes and the lifestyle that a woman leads.

A variety of factors can predispose to the development of uterine cancer. Cancer of the uterus can be both hormone-dependent and autonomous. Gynecologists note that in most cases, the appearance of the first signs and symptoms of cancer is associated with hormonal imbalance and the reasons that lead to it.

The entire reproductive system of a woman is dependent on the normal ratio of sex hormones. Due to the optimal ratio of sex steroids, a woman has a regular biphasic cycle with the presence of ovulation, which allows conception to occur. The endometrium also grows and is rejected under the influence of the necessary sex hormones.

However, under the influence of some unfavorable factors, this balance is disturbed. Functional and then structural disorders occur. The endometrium may overgrow. Over time, the first signs and symptoms of atypia often appear.

For the adequate functioning of the reproductive system the correct ratio of progesterone and estrogen is important. In many pathologies, there is an excess amount of estrogen with a consistently low progesterone.

Gynecologists identify the following factors that lead to hormonal disorders and the appearance of the early stages of the oncological process:

early onset of the first menstruation and puberty in general;
the appearance of signs of menopause after 55 years;
prolonged absence of ovulation;
endocrine disorders;
PCOS;
being overweight, contributing to the excessive production of estrogen;
diabetes;
the use of estrogen-containing drugs for a long time;
treatment with drugs against breast cancer, such as Tamoxifen;
irregular sex life;
absence of pregnancies and subsequent childbirth;
hereditary predisposition;
liver pathology that utilizes estrogens;
hypertension.

Cancer of the uterus of a hormone-dependent nature is often detected with signs of a malignant tumor of the intestine, breast. Usually, this neoplasm progresses slowly and is sensitive to progestogens. If the tumor is detected at an early stage, the course can be considered favorable.

There are several signs that increase the risk of symptoms of uterine cancer:

infertility;
anovulatory bleeding;
late onset of menopause;
follicular cysts on the ovaries and tekomatosis;
overweight;
incorrect estrogen therapy;
adrenal adenoma;
cirrhosis of the liver.

Autonomous uterine cancer is often diagnosed in older women and develops against the background of pathologies such as ovarian or endometrial atrophy. Such a tumor is rarely detected in the early stages, as it progresses rapidly and has a poor prognosis.

Some scholars take the point of view according to which the transformation of cells is embedded in DNA. This is the so-called genetic theory of the development of uterine cancer.

The development of uterine cancer occurs in accordance with the following stages.

Anovulation and growth of estrogen.
The emergence of background pathological processes, for example, polyposis and endometrial hyperplasia.
The appearance of precancerous conditions, in particular, hyperplasia with signs of atypia.
Development of preinvasive cancer, which is an early stage of uterine cancer.
The first signs of insignificant penetration of malignant cells into the myometrium.
Expressed cancer of the uterine body.

Women who are at risk should regularly visit a gynecologist and be examined.

Stages and types

Experts classify the severity of the course of carcinoma of the uterine body by determining the stage. In general, the stages show the size of the neoplasm, the depth of penetration into the myometrium and the nature of the spread of the oncological process to the surrounding tissues, the presence of metastases.

Early stage cancer of the uterus is called preinvasive cancer. In another way, such a pathology is defined as stage zero cancer. As a rule, at this early stage of the oncological process, there are no signs and symptoms. It is possible to identify the disease through the use of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.

Gynecologists distinguish four stages of uterine cancer.

Stage 1 is characterized by endometrial lesions (A). In the early first stage, the myometrium may be damaged up to half of the layer (B) or the entire muscular membrane (C).
Stage 2 is characterized by involvement of the cervix in the pathological process. If the tumor is present exclusively in the glandular layer - A, with the penetration of the neoplasm into the deep layers - B.
Stage 3 includes the penetration of malignant cells into the serous membrane and appendages (A). Vaginal involvement is sometimes observed (B). In the most severe cases, metastasis occurs to the surrounding lymph nodes (C).
Stage 4 means the appearance of metastases. If metastases develop only in the bladder and intestine - A. If metastases occur in the lungs, liver and bones - B.

It is known that in the early stages, for example, pre-invasive and the first, the prognosis is more favorable. However, the first symptoms and signs often appear in the third and fourth stages.

The prognosis of the disease depends not only on the stage. The early appearance of the first signs and symptoms depends on the degree of cellular differentiation:

high;
medium;
low.

The neoplasm grows more slowly with a highly differentiated neoplasm of the uterine body. The likelihood of cure with such oncology is significantly higher. Poorly differentiated tumors have the first signs and symptoms already at an early stage. It is quite difficult to cure such a pathology.

There are the following morphological types of uterine cancer:

squamous;
adenocarcinoma;
clear cell;
glandular squamous;
musical;
serous;
undifferentiated.

The most common tumor is adenocarcinoma. Education can be localized in the area of the fundus of the uterus, as well as in its lower segment.

Symptoms and Signs

Often, women go to the doctor about the first signs of pathology. This can be acyclic bleeding or increased menstrual flow. After examination, in some cases, uterine cancer is detected.

Many of the first signs and symptoms of cancer of the uterine body, especially in the early stages, coincide with other gynecological pathologies:

profuse leucorrhoea associated with damage to the lymphatic capillaries;
increased bleeding during menstruation;
bleeding;
discharge of the color of meat slops due to the disintegration of tumor tissue;
pain in the lower back and abdomen;
increased painful urination;
constipation;
discharge of blood during bowel movements, which may be accompanied by pain;
swelling of the legs;
an increase in the circumference of the abdomen.

The early first signs usually include pathological discharge, which can be observed in the second or third stage. Early stages, such as pre-invasive and first, are usually asymptomatic. The first signs are associated with the spread of cancer and tumor growth.

With advanced stages, the first signs are:

pain of varying intensity;
swelling;
deterioration in general well-being, which can be manifested by weakness, dizziness, low-grade fever.

Usually the first signs of a deterioration in the general well-being of a woman associated with the poisoning of the body with tumor waste products. One of the early symptoms is also anemia.

Diagnostic and treatment methods

Diagnosis of uterine cancer in the early stages is somewhat difficult. In order to identify the first signs of a malignant process, the following studies are carried out.

Aspiration biopsy in the early stages, it is not informative enough, however, with the progression of the neoplasm, its symptoms can be detected in 90% of cases. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is a simple and reliable way to identify various gynecological diseases. In the early stages, a symptom such as endometrial hyperplasia in patients should be alerted. As a rule, in such cases, additional research is carried out.
Hysteroscopy is an instrumental diagnostic method that allows you to diagnose and treat some formations. A hysteroscope is inserted into the uterus through the cervical canal. The method allows for curettage and biopsy for further histological analysis.

To detect metastases, it is necessary to perform MRI, CT and X-rays of the lungs. Assessment of the functions of the bladder and bowel, which are often affected in uterine cancer, is carried out through cystoscopy and rectoscopy.

Treatment involves a combination of several techniques:

surgical intervention;
radiotherapy;
chemotherapy.

The main method of treatment, which is used at any stage of the disease, is the removal of the uterus and appendages. The amount of intervention depends on the extent of the spread of the oncological process. Organ-preserving operations can be performed at an early stage - pre-invasive cancer.

Irradiation is often given after surgery to remove the remaining malignant cells. It is practically not used as an independent method.

Chemotherapy is used to treat the signs and symptoms of a tumor. As the main method of treatment, this tactic is not recommended. For hormone-dependent forms of the malignant process, doctors also prescribe hormone therapy.

This disease is called differently - endometrial cancer, cancer of the uterine body, cancer of the mucous membrane of the uterine membrane, etc. All these oncological processes are cancer of the uterus.

Disease concept and statistics

Cancer of the uterus is a malignant tumor process that develops from the inner epithelial layer - the endometrium.

According to statistics. recent years have been characterized by a steady increase in cases of uterine oncology. Judging by all the oncological pathologies in women, uterine cancer is the second most popular, right after breast cancer.

On average, a similar disease is found in 2-3% of the female population. Endometrial cancer can occur in every woman, however, women after 45 are most susceptible to such oncology.

Classification

Oncologists classify uterine cancer into two types: autonomous and hormonal.

Autonomous cancer accounts for 1/3 of all cases of uterine oncology. This form of the disease occurs suddenly without any prerequisites and reasons.

Experts believe that such oncology has a hereditary etiology or arises under the influence of traumatic injuries.

The picture shows a uterine cancer cell under a microscope

The hormonal type of uterine cancer develops as a result of hormonal changes in the female body. Such oncology accounts for 2/3 of all cases of endometrial cancer. It is characterized by pronounced disorders of endocrine-metabolic origin.

According to histological data, cancer of the uterine body can be:

Depending on the degree of differentiation of cell structures, cancer can be highly differentiated, poorly differentiated, or moderately differentiated.

Causes of occurrence

As mentioned above, endometrial cancer can be hormone-dependent or autonomous. Based on this, several characteristic reasons can be distinguished from which cancer of the uterine body occurs:

Increased stimulation of the epithelial uterine layer by estrogen hormones;
Metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension;
Hormone-producing ovarian tumors;
Adenoma of the adrenal cortex;
Treatment with hormone-containing drugs;
The presence of severe hepatic pathologies, accompanied by violations of metabolic sex hormonal processes (cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc.);
Negative heredity, such as the presence of oncoformations in blood relatives in the intestines, mammary gland, ovaries or in the body of the uterus;
Late onset of the menopausal period;
Lack of pregnancies with natural childbirth;
Long-term use of oral contraceptives like Dimethysterone
Irradiation of low-volume organs, etc.

Symptoms of uterine cancer in women

Signs of oncoformations of the uterine body are very diverse, however, in the early stages of the development of the cancer process, as a rule, there are no symptoms.

First signs

Among the first alarming symptoms of uterine cancer, uterine bleeding, not associated with menstruation, is especially prominent.

A similar symptom, according to oncologists, is observed in almost 7-9 out of a dozen patients.

Such bleeding can be of a different nature:

Bleeding of a contact nature, arising from sexual intercourse, gynecological examination, lifting heavy objects, douching, etc., is very characteristic of uterine cancer.

In addition to discharge, when cancer of the uterine body reaches the later stages of development, it can be recognized by the following symptoms:

Nausea-vomiting syndrome;
Hyperthermia with subfebrile indices;
Drawing pain in the lumbar region, perineum, abdomen;
A noticeable reduction in performance, excessive and rapid fatigability, up to exhaustion;
Sexual intercourse is accompanied by pain, which can also appear after them;
Refusal to eat;
Problems with bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhea;
Strong weight loss.

How to identify uterine cancer by symptoms before menopause?

In women who are in premenopausal age, the presence of uterine bleeding is considered quite normal, which gradually becomes scarce and bothers less and less.

If an oncological process begins to develop in the uterine body, then a typical decrease in symptoms does not occur, and it often happens that uterine discharge, on the contrary, becomes more abundant and frequent.

What manifestations can be observed in postmenopausal women?

In menopause, women, as a rule, do not have menstruation. Therefore, in the event of sudden vaginal discharge, you should always suspect the presence of a uterine cancer process.

Moreover, the frequency of such bleeding, their duration, intensity and abundance at a similar age no longer matter.

Stages and their lifespan

In the first stage oncoformation is located directly in the uterine body. The probability of recovery is about 80-90%;
At the second stage of the oncological process, the tumor formation penetrates beyond the boundaries of the body of the uterus, affects the cervical canal (cervix), however, nearby organs are not affected. Recovery occurs in about ¾ cases;
At the third stage of cancer, the oncological process spreads to the appendages and the vagina. The survival rate is about 40% of patients;
At the fourth stage of cancer of the uterine body, tumor processes spread beyond the pelvic region, the formation grows into the intestinal and urinary tissues. The survival rate is no more than 15%.

Effects

Cancer of the uterine body is a very dangerous pathological condition. If there is no adequate therapy, then uterine cancer will certainly lead to the death of the patient.

Often, oncology of the uterus requires its removal along with the appendages, part of the vagina and the cervix. However, this factor usually does not play a significant role, because cancer is found mainly in women of 45-60 years of age with adult children.

Metastatic pathways

With cancer in the body of the uterus, the main pathways of metastasis are the lymphatic vessels and nodes, and at the terminal stage, the circulatory system also participates in the spread.

First, the lesion spreads to the lymph nodes in the iliac region and hypogastric region. Much less often, the lesion captures other groups of small-basal lymph nodes.

Metastasis extends to the cervical canal and beyond the uterine body. In a hematogenous way, metastases penetrate from the upper uterine region into the appendages, in addition, the vagina is also affected, and sometimes even the renal or hepatic or bone tissues.

Diagnostics

The diagnostic process for uterine cancer begins with a gynecological examination using mirrors. Then the patient is sent for an ultrasound examination, which allows to reveal the true size and structure of the uterus, as well as the structure and thickness of the endometrium.

The photo shows what uterine cancer looks like on ultrasound diagnostics

Often, scraping and histological examination of the resulting biomaterial is carried out. A similar procedure is carried out using general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

When analyzing for the detection of tumor markers of uterine cancer, markers are used:

CA 72-4;
CA 125;
Cancer-embryonic antigen;
HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin.

Thanks to the introduction of tumor marker tests into oncogynecological practice, it was possible to save the lives of many patients.

How quickly does the disease develop?

The rate of development of the oncological process in the uterine body is determined by the histological type of formation, concomitant pathologies, the strength and intensity of the body's anticancer resistance, the adequacy of therapy, the patient's age and other similar factors.

Therefore, it is impossible to say for sure how long it will take for the final development of the cancerous process in the uterine body.

The difference between pathology and fibroids

Myoma is the process of hyperplastic enlargement of uterine tissues arising from traumatic factors, frequent abortions, curettage, a large number of sexual partners, urogenital inflammation, lack of orgasms in a woman, etc.

Cancer of the uterine body and fibroids have absolutely nothing to do with each other. These are completely different pathologies, so myoma never degenerates into cancer.

Benign uterine hyperplasia is formed in the muscular layer of the organ, and oncology - in the epithelial layer. When a fibroid is found, observation is usually done to determine if the fibroid is growing or not.

For this, the patient undergoes a gynecological examination every six months. As for direct scientific evidence of the relationship between cancer and fibroids, it is lacking.

Treatment and prevention

The basis of treatment is an operation involving the removal of the uterine body together with the ovaries.
Sometimes, before and after surgery, radio exposure is carried out, which makes it possible to reduce the risk of recurrence of oncology, but such treatment does not at all affect the survival rates;
In addition to radiotherapy and surgery, chemotherapy is used. Such an approach to treatment is justified when the tumor process is widespread, as well as with the autonomous nature of the formation, the presence of active metastasis and relapses. Platinum preparations such as Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Adriamycin, as well as Doxorubicin, Taxol, Epirubicin, etc. are used. In hormone-dependent oncology of the uterine body, chemotherapeutic treatment is ineffective;
Hormone therapy gives good therapeutic results. For such treatment, progestogen drugs are usually used: Megeis, Depostat, Provera, 17-OPK, Farlugal, Depo-Provera, etc. These drugs can be combined with Tamoxifen or prescribed without it. If there is active metastasis, and treatment with progestogens is ineffective, then Zoladek is prescribed. Sometimes I combine hormonal treatment with chemotherapy.

When determining the appropriate therapeutic method, the oncologist takes into account several decisive factors such as the physiological state of the patient, the presence of endocrine disorders, histological parameters, the size and extent of the tumor, etc.

Preventive measures are the most effective anti-cancer measure. Primary preventive action involves avoiding oncology-like factors such as obesity, diabetes and infertility.

In other words, you need to strictly control your weight, treat reproductive functions and diabetes.

There are also secondary preventive measures that involve the timely detection and treatment of inflammatory pathologies, precancerous conditions.

Women over 40 are advised to undergo an annual screening examination by means of transvaginal echography. This procedure allows you to identify cancer of the uterine body in its infancy, which significantly increases the chances of recovery and long life.

If a precancerous disease was found in the patient, then it must be treated.

Patient survival prognosis

Every year the number of women with cancer of the uterine body is increasing, every year this pathology is found in half a million patients. But timely diagnosis and an adequate approach to the treatment process make it possible to achieve a high and favorable prognosis of survival.

In general, the prognosis of the survival rate of cancer patients is determined by the stage of initiation of therapy, the degree of cell differentiation, etc.

For example, with highly differentiated education with the first degree of development, the survival rate will be 96%, and with a low degree of cellular differentiation and 4 degrees of development, the percentage of survival does not exceed 18%.

Endometrial cancer (the inner layer of the uterus) is one of the most common oncological diseases in Russian women. It accounts for 7.7% of all malignant tumors. The higher the economic level of the country, the more common this disease is.

The only exceptions are the eastern countries (Japan), where food traditions are somewhat different from the West. The average age at which this type of cancer is detected is 65 years, and detection of a tumor earlier than 50 years is very rare.

What is Endometrial Cancer?

Tumors of the inner layer of the uterus are called endometrial tumors. This layer is surrounded by muscles that form the body of the uterus (myometrium), and all this is covered with a thin serous membrane. Cervical cancer does not belong to endometrial tumors; it is a separate disease with completely different causes and prognosis.

Endometrial cancer risk factors

All of the above factors are not direct causes of uterine cancer, they only increase the risk of cancer.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary is a syndrome in which 12 or more follicles are simultaneously located in each of the ovaries. The reason for this phenomenon is considered to be a disturbed exchange of sex hormones: male and female. Girls and women with this syndrome usually have an irregular menstrual cycle, infertility and "male" signs: excessive hair growth, fatty layer on the abdomen, a rough voice. In this case, the risk of cancer of the body of the uterus increases due to a malfunction in the exchange. In addition, obesity can be an additional risk factor.

Obesity and excess dietary fat intake

Being overweight increases the risk of uterine cancer 2-3 times. This applies to women with a body mass index of more than 25. Such an increase in risks is associated with an excess of estrogen synthesized by adipose tissue. The same mechanism works when eating large amounts of animal fats. It has been proven that in countries where the diet is dominated by fats and there are few vegetables, the risk of developing an endometrial tumor is much higher.

Hormone replacement therapy

It is believed that in women over 55 years of age, long-term substitution therapy increases the risk of uterine cancer by 2-3 times. It should be borne in mind that the risk when taking outdated drugs (containing only estrogens in large quantities) was sevenfold. Modern means, including, have a right to exist. Therefore, the main rule of substitution therapy is timely prescription for strict indications, using the latest medicines.

Immunohistochemical study

When a tumor is found, it is necessary to find out if it is sensitive to hormonal treatment. For this, the number of receptors for estrogen and progesterone is determined by immunochemical analysis.

Forecast

It is very important to establish all prognostic factors in order to select adequate and appropriate treatments. The worse these factors are, the more aggressive the therapy should be.

Endometrial cancer treatment

Most cases of uterine tumors are treated in a complex, using three main methods: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. This combination multiplies the 5-year disease-free survival rate.

Surgical method

The main surgery for endometrial cancer is. Often it is necessary to remove nearby lymph nodes and tissues affected by the tumor.

Radiation therapy

Irradiation of the area of the uterus and adjacent tissues is carried out with advanced cancer that is sensitive to rays. This method is also used in patients for whom surgery is contraindicated. These are elderly women, often suffering from liver, heart and kidney diseases.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs (doxorubicin, cisplatin) for uterine cancer give less impressive results than for other tumors. They are used for running processes, as well as for contraindications to surgery.

Hormone therapy

Another step in the combined treatment of endometrial cancer can be hormonal drugs (derivatives of progestogens), since some of the tumors are sensitive to these substances. The drug regimen is designed for 2-3 years. Given the frequent side effects, before starting therapy, the sensitivity of the tumor and its differentiation are examined.

Follow-up after therapy

After the operation and completion of treatment, the woman should be monitored regularly by a doctor. In the first year, it is necessary to be examined every 4 months, in the second year - once every 6 months, then once a year. In recent years, there have been recommendations to be observed every 4 months for the first three years. If signs and symptoms of uterine cancer appear that are suspicious of a relapse, then an unscheduled visit to the doctor should be made.

Endometrial cancer survival

In connection with the early diagnosis and improved therapy, uterine cancer is quite successfully treated. So, the 5-year survival rate of patients with stage I - up to 98%, with stage II - about 70%, with stage III - 32%, stage IV - about 5%.

Prophylaxis

Having at least one pregnancy
Long-term breastfeeding of the baby
Physical activity

Unfortunately, the number of oncological diseases is only growing every year. In women, one of the leading places is uterine cancer. now it has increased, the female half of the population has a longer period of menopause, it is with this that doctors associate an increase in the incidence. The risk group most often includes women 40-60 years old.

What is uterine cancer

The uterus in women, like any other organ, has a three-layer structure. Internal - epithelial tissue, middle - smooth muscle and external - connective tissue. In the process of the development of the disease, a tumor forms on the walls of the uterus, and then, if no treatment is taken, it will begin to spread throughout the body.

Due to the multi-layered structure of the uterus, the tumor is of various types and differs in localization.

The reasons for the development of the disease

Doctors came to the conclusion that, to a greater extent, cancer of the uterine body begins to develop if this organ has been repeatedly exposed to many factors, among which I especially want to highlight the following:

Frequent abortions and tears during childbirth.
Inflammatory processes, especially of a chronic nature.
Dystrophic and degenerative changes in epithelial tissue that can occur as a result of hormonal exposure.
Hereditary predisposition.
The presence in the body of the human papillomavirus or genital herpes.
Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
Early onset of sexual activity, that is, before the age of 18.
Having a large number of sexual partners.
The presence of bad habits, especially smoking.
Lack of personal hygiene.

Despite the fact that there are many reasons that can provoke uterine cancer, life expectancy with such a diagnosis will depend on many factors. If you consult a doctor in time, then this disease can be easily dealt with.

Diagnosing the disease

Any diagnosis begins with a doctor-patient conversation. A woman must be examined by a gynecologist; without a thorough examination, there can be no talk of any treatment and diagnosis.

The examination begins with an examination of the vagina, cervix using gynecological mirrors. In the presence of the disease, it is usually possible to detect changes in the tissues. Often, on examination, slight bleeding may begin, as injury to the tumor occurs.

If necessary, a rectal examination may be ordered to clarify how much the pelvic wall has been affected.

All these manipulations can be carried out with all the necessary equipment. It often happens that cancer at the initial stage is not recognized due to incomplete examination. With the development of ultrasound diagnostics, this method began to be used for the detection of cancerous tumors.

Since with the development of cancer, the lymph nodes are damaged, an X-ray examination is also prescribed. In some cases, MRI, CT are prescribed.

All examinations are very important to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment, because if a woman has uterine cancer, life expectancy will depend on the effectiveness of therapy.

A timely visit to the doctor will reveal the disease at an early stage. This guarantees a high cure rate.

Uterine cancer: symptoms and signs

Women throughout their lives need to monitor their health more carefully, and after 40 years, even more so, because it is at this age that the risk of developing cancer increases. Eae and all diseases, has uterine cancer symptoms and signs, so you need to pay attention to all deviations from the norm in the body. The trouble is that we are in no hurry to run to the hospital as soon as we notice suspicious symptoms. It's a pity, not only the quality of our life, but also its duration completely depends on this.

Most of the oncological diseases are so dangerous that they begin to show their signs only at later stages, so it often happens that when a person asks for help, nothing can help him.

It turns out that cancer of the body of the uterus manifests itself in different ways in different periods of a woman's life. Let's try to figure it out.

Signs before menopause

If a woman is not yet at the menopause stage, then the following manifestations of this disease can be diagnosed:

Recurrent bleeding from the vagina.
Menstruation becomes either more rare and scarce, or, on the contrary, may come more often and abundantly.
Pain in the lower abdomen.

Drawing pains in the lower back.
Pain during intercourse.
Purulent vaginal discharge.
Frequent urge to urinate.

Symptoms during menopause

When a woman is in menopause, her periods stop completely. At this time, the following symptoms should alert you:

Any spotting.
Sudden bleeding from the vagina.
Drawing pain in the perineal region.
Fast fatiguability.
Losing weight for no apparent reason.

If you find any of these symptoms in yourself, then you should not hope that everything will go away by itself. This is a rather insidious disease - uterine cancer, photos confirm this.

Cancer of the uterus also occurs in pregnant women, but this is rare. This is dangerous enough for a woman's life. In this case, if the diagnosis of uterine cancer is confirmed, the operation is inevitable. We'll have to terminate the pregnancy and start treatment.

Stages of uterine cancer

Most often, any disease goes through certain stages, this can be said about a malignant tumor in the uterus. Oncologists distinguish the following stages of uterine cancer:

Zero. At this time, it is already possible to diagnose endometrial hyperplasia, which will certainly lead to the development of a malignant formation. It's only a matter of time, how quickly it will happen.
First stage. The tumor develops only in the body of the uterus itself, but the localization can be different:

Cancer cells affect only the epithelial layer of cells.
The tumor begins to invade the muscle layer.
The carcinoma invades half of the myometrium.

3. Second stage. Cancer begins to affect the cervix, but does not go beyond the organ. But there are also varieties:

Only the glands of the cervix are involved in the process.
The tumor affects the stroma of the cervix.

4. The third stage of the disease. Uterine cancer is already going beyond the organ, photos confirm this, but again there are divisions:

Carcioma damages the serous membrane of the uterus and can spread to the ovaries.
Vaginal metastases appear.
Metastases develop in nearby lymph nodes.

5. The fourth stage is the most serious. The tumor already affects the bladder, rectum. Metastases appear outside the small pelvis.

When diagnosed with uterine cancer, the degrees are also different. This affects the prognosis of the course of the disease:

High degree of differentiation.
Moderate.
Low.

Doctors note that the greater the degree of differentiation, the better the prognosis. Low grade tumors metastasize rapidly and are characterized by increased growth.

If you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, life expectancy will depend on the stage and degree of the disease.

Cervical cancer

A malignant tumor can begin its development not only in the uterine cavity, but also in the cervix, then they talk about cervical cancer. This disease also has its own stages of development:

First stage. The tumor develops only in the cervix.
Second. Has its own development options:

Penetration into the parametrium without going to the walls of the pelvis.
Vaginal variant, when the tumor affects its walls.
The tumor develops endocervically. It can even affect the body of the uterus.

3. The third stage is also characterized by the presence of three options:

There is an infiltration of the pelvic wall from one or both sides.
With the vaginal variant, the tumor passes into the lower part of the vagina.
Pelvic metastases appear.

4. Fourth stage. The following development options can be distinguished:

The tumor spreads to the bladder.
Cancer cells affect the rectum.
The tumor extends beyond the pelvis.

Different stages and variants of tumor development help doctors to give a clear idea of treatment methods and its effectiveness.

Treatment for uterine cancer

At present, given the level of development of medicine, we can say that most cancers are not a death sentence for a patient. But this is only if a person seeks medical help in a timely manner.

Treatment of malignant tumors is carried out taking into account the stage of the disease, its localization. Most often, the main methods are:

If the treatment is started on time, then there is a high probability that you will succeed in the cervix, the photos well demonstrate the full life of women after the operation.

In the event that a woman seeks medical help too late, the success rate of treatment is significantly reduced.

Disease prevention

Only if you systematically visit a gynecologist and undergo an annual physical examination, then you can be sure that cancer will be detected at an early stage.

As soon as a woman begins to have a sex life, she should make it a rule to visit a gynecologist every year. Regular examination, smear examination, ultrasound of the pelvic organs can reveal precancerous conditions. If they are treated in time, then it is possible to prevent the development of tumors.

This can be prevented. Photos confirm that it is quite easy to identify such pathologies if you regularly undergo an examination. It is impossible to recognize the disease on your own and to properly prescribe drugs for yourself, only a doctor should do this.

Most often, if inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs are not treated, then over time they can easily develop into cancer. Our health is only in our hands, and no one except ourselves will take care of it.

The effectiveness of the treatment

The effectiveness of the treatment of cancerous tumors can be judged by repeated cases of the disease. Relapse usually occurs in the first three years after therapy. For many, when diagnosed with cervical cancer, after the operation, the vital activity of the body is normalized, the woman recovers and returns to her usual way of life.

If more than three years have passed after the operation, and everything is fine with you, then we can confidently guarantee that you are unlikely to relapse.

Prognosis for uterine cancer

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a 100% guarantee that after the treatment the tumor will no longer bother you. If the disease is detected in the early stages of its development, then about 90% of patients almost completely recover.

Considering that the quality of medical examination has now improved, a lot of work is being done on early detection of the disease, it can be guaranteed that the survival rate when cancer is detected will increase even more.

Even if you have stage III and IV cancer of the uterus, life expectancy, with proper treatment, increases significantly. Survival can be improved by combining radiation with chemotherapy.

If a woman seeks medical help when metastases involve not only the uterus or cervix, but also neighboring organs, then the prognosis is not very comforting. In this case, it is much more difficult to affect cancer cells.

It can be concluded that the quality and duration of our life depends only on ourselves. Do not be afraid to visit polyclinics, a disease detected on time is treated much faster and more efficiently.

This ailment is considered very common at the present time. Most often, the first signs and symptoms of cervical cancer found in women between the ages of 30 and 55(in recent years, this disease has become much "younger"). Despite the fact that this pathology is easily diagnosed, unfortunately, in almost half of the patients it is detected already at later stages. Modern medicine offers several ways to solve the problem, up to complete recovery and restoration of the body. Practice shows that with timely treatment of the disease in the early stages (without removing the organ) in the future, a woman can have healthy offspring.

In most cases, the disease develops against the background of precancerous conditions. The risk group for such a disease includes women who neglect the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, patients who do not follow the rules of personal hygiene.

Girls who begin to have sex at an early age (before the age of 16), when the cervical epithelium contains immature cells that easily degenerate into cancerous cells, can also get sick. Cicatricial changes on the mucous membrane of the organ, hormonal imbalance, smoking, alcohol intake, exposure to radiation - all this significantly increases the risk of occurrence. Every year, this diagnosis is diagnosed in 600,000 women worldwide.

Causes

Regardless of what symptoms a woman has in cervical cancer, the source of the tumor is the healthy cells that cover the organ.

The main reasons are:

papillomavirus infection;
infection with genital herpes, HIV, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia;
diseases of the cervix (dysplasia, leukoplakia, erosion);
lack of vitamins A and C in the body;
weakened immunity;
exposure to the body of radiation and chemical toxins;
early abortion, curettage;
scarring of uterine tissue;
organ injury;
promiscuous, unprotected sex life, if the change of partners occurs more often than 2-3 times a year;
stress.

The main threat is viruses that lead to mutations, and provoke the degeneration of healthy cells into cancerous ones. In the course of the disease, tumor cells can be transported with the lymph to nearby lymph nodes, thereby forming metastases. Despite the development and spread of the disease, the symptoms of cervical cancer in women at this stage may be absent or mild.

Views

Depending on the type of affected epithelium, there are:

squamous cell carcinoma(occurs most often, the tumor is formed from the cells of the squamous epithelium covering the vaginal part of the organ; due to a malfunction in the structure of DNA during division, immature cancer cells are formed that are capable of dynamic reproduction);
adenocarcinoma(the tumor affects the deep layers of the endocervix).

Squamous cell carcinoma is divided into 3 groups:

keratinized (the tumor differs in density, keratinous structure);
poorly differentiated (the tumor grows rapidly, has a soft consistency);
non-keratinizing (considered an intermediate stage between keratinized and poorly differentiated cancer).

Main stages

stage 0 - precancerous condition, when pathogenic cells do not form a tumor, do not penetrate into tissues, but are located on the surface of the cervical canal;
stage I (cancer cells penetrate deep into the tissues, the pathology does not affect the lymph nodes, the average tumor size is 3-5 mm (IA) or up to 5 mm (IB));
stage II (it grows into the uterus, goes beyond its borders, does not affect the lower part of the vagina and the walls of the small pelvis);
stage III (the tumor extends beyond the neck, up to the pelvic walls and the lower third of the vagina, is observed);
stage IV (the tumor is large, spreads from all sides of the neck, affects the lymph nodes and neighboring organs).

Cervical cancer symptoms

It is impossible to say for sure what is the first symptom in cervical cancer, since all manifestations of the disease are usually dim. In the early stages, they may be absent altogether. As the swelling grows, warning signs and symptoms can occur. But at this moment, the defeat can reach neighboring organs. That's why women should have regular check-ups with a gynecologist with obligatory colposcopy (microscopic examination of the state of the cervix).

What are the symptoms and first signs of cervical cancer? The main ones include:

bleeding after intercourse, between periods, after menopause, immediately after examination by a gynecologist;
abundant whitish cheesy discharge from the vagina with impurities of blood;
purulent vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor;
an increase in the duration of menstruation (more than 7 days);
sharp pains in the lower abdomen;
spasms radiating to the lower back;
discomfort in the vagina during intercourse;
weight loss (up to 10-15 kg in a few weeks);
problems with bowel movements;
frequent or delayed urination;
general weakness of the body;
increased fatigue;
swelling of the legs;
temperature increase.

When examining the state of the cervix with cancer, ulceration is diagnosed, as well as a discoloration of the cervix.

The signs and symptoms of cervical cancer listed above are not definitive or binding. They can also signal the presence of other gynecological diseases, so it is very important to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis from an experienced gynecologist.

Diagnostics

Any manifestation of symptoms in women should alert and to confirm or refute the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct the following types of research:

oncological examination by a gynecologist (at least once every 6 months);
cytological examination of scraping from the surface of the cervix;
PAP test (test for the presence of atypical cells);
colposcopy;
biopsy of cervical tissue;
Schiller test (test with or acetic acid);
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs - such a study allows you to determine the spread of the tumor in the small pelvis, thus establishing the stage of the disease.

If signs and symptoms of cervical cancer are observed and the disease is suspected, the gynecologist prescribes related diagnostic procedures to exclude or confirm the germination of a malignant neoplasm to neighboring organs.

MRI of the pelvic organs - performed in cases where the results of ultrasound do not allow you to accurately establish the spread of the disease;
Ultrasound of the kidneys;
Ultrasound of the liver;
ultrasound examination of the bladder;
X-ray of the lungs - performed to exclude or confirm the presence of distant metastases;
irrigoscopy - examination of the large intestine using an X-ray, allowing to establish the area of spread of the neoplasm;
rectoscopy and cystoscopy - examination of the rectum and bladder, which allows you to determine if these organs are affected by the tumor;
intravenous urography is necessary to determine the "working capacity" of this organ, since in cervical cancer, the ureters are often squeezed, with further impairment of renal function.

Treatment

Treatment for cervical cancer involves the following types of therapy:

conization of the cervix (conical amputation), which involves the removal of the cone-shaped part of the cervix and the mucous membrane of the cervical canal;
electrosurgical loop excision, when pathological tissues are removed with an electric knife, the pathogenic area is cauterized, and healthy tissues are formed in its place;
high amputation, when the surgeon performs a radical removal of the cervix; the operation may involve the removal of part of the vagina, pelvic lymph nodes;
extirpation of the uterus with complete or partial removal of the ovaries;
radical hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, ovaries, lymph nodes;
radiation and chemotherapy;
drug therapy;
hormone therapy.

Radiation and chemotherapy are usually given at the preoperative stage in order to reduce the size of the cancer. The most common treatment is complex, which combines surgery, radiation and chemotherapy... For a long period of time, only the first two methods were used, recently it has been proven that the combination of all methods of treatment significantly increases the effectiveness of the course of treatment.

Irradiation is the leading method of treatment, it is especially often resorted to if the patient has stage 3-4 of the disease and surgical removal of the tumor is impossible.

During the course, distance gamma therapy is used, which is supplemented by intracavitary irradiation of the cervix.

Chemotherapy is usually used as an adjunct to radiation... The results obtained are ambiguous: on the one hand, the efficiency increases and it becomes possible to reduce the radiation dose, and hence to reduce the likelihood of the appearance of radio-induced formations. On the other hand, this combination treatment is poorly tolerated by patients and leads to side effects.

Complications

Such a disease can develop rapidly or have a sluggish character, but in each of these cases, a number of complications may appear:

compression of the ureters;
stagnant urine;
the development of hydronephrosis;
the appearance of a purulent infection of the urinary tract;
the occurrence of bleeding from a tumor or genital tract;
the formation of fistulas, a kind of unnatural channels connecting the bladder or intestines with the vagina.

Prophylaxis

In order not to understand what symptoms may be evidence of cervical cancer and look for the first sign of such a disease, you should timely prophylaxis... To this end, the following actions are taken:

regular examinations by a gynecologist - visual and bimanual (manual);
colpoxcopy (at least once a year) - examination of the organ with an increase of 7.5-40 times, allows you to see precancerous processes;
passing a PAP test to detect atypical cells;
timely treatment of sexually transmitted diseases;
protected sexual intercourse;
vaccination against cervical cancer with a quadruple vaccine. (vaccination gives immunity for 3 years, is performed in several stages, is done for girls aged 9 to 12 years old (before the onset of sexual activity, when the virus has not yet been infected), as well as older girls (from 13 to 26 years old); average vaccination cost - from $ 400 per course).

Treatment of the disease should be supervised by a gynecologist with a surgical profile, as well as an oncologist.

Forecast

Cervical cancer is a serious condition that leads to serious complications. The main threat is metastasis to the lymph nodes, other organs (kidneys, lungs, liver), removal of the uterus and, as a result, infertility. Chemotherapy, which is used in the treatment of cancer, has toxic damage to the organs and systems of the human body. The development of cancer can be prevented by undergoing preventive examinations with a gynecologist at least once every six months, as well as paying attention to the manifested characteristic symptoms of cervical cancer in women.

The success of the treatment of the disease depends on the age of the patient, the general state of health, the therapy chosen by the gynecologist and oncologist, the stage and form of cancer. If oncology is diagnosed at an early stage, the prognosis is auspicious, the disease can be cured by surgical methods, a woman in the future can have healthy offspring (pregnancy can be planned after 3 years, taking into account the absence of relapses).

Found a bug? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter