Is endometrial hyperplasia the same as cancer?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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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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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.

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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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Is surgery necessary for endometrial cancer?

For endometrial cancer, surgery is generally recommended as the first choice, because early-stage endometrial cancer can largely be cured through surgical treatment. Besides surgery, other options include medication, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, which are used for mid to late stages or in conjunction with surgery in early stages. When treating endometrial cancer, the treatment method should be chosen based on the specific condition and stage of the patient. In early-stage endometrial cancer, surgery is the preferred treatment. Therefore, aside from surgical treatment, patients should choose medication, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy based on their specific conditions.

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Stage IB endometrial cancer treatment

Endometrial carcinoma Stage IB refers to tumors localized to the body of the uterus, where tumor infiltration is less than half of the myometrium. Surgical treatment is feasible for this stage and involves a slightly extensive total hysterectomy coupled with bilateral adnexectomy. During the surgery, a frozen section pathology test should be conducted. If the pathology report from the frozen section indicates special types of endometrial-like cancer, including papillary serous adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma, additional procedures are required. Moreover, if enlarged para-aortic or common iliac lymph nodes are palpated during the surgery, lymphadenectomy of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes should be performed.