Is a thick endometrium the same as cancer?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Endometrial thickening is not necessarily cancerous. Causes of endometrial thickening generally include irregular hyperplasia or endometrial polyps, both of which can lead to thickening of the endometrium, but this is not necessarily indicative of cancer. Whether it is endometrial cancer is usually determined if patients with endometrial thickening do not show clear improvement after treatment with medication. Typically, a curettage procedure is performed to collect tissue for pathological examination. If the pathology report indicates endometrial cancer or precancerous lesions, then it will be reported. Therefore, endometrial thickening is not necessarily indicative of endometrial cancer, and it can occur with conditions like endometrial polyps or irregular endometrial hyperplasia. Treatment at this stage should be based on the pathological results. Thus, while endometrial thickening should be taken seriously, it is not necessarily cancerous.

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Written by Yan Chun
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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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Written by Liu Jian Wei
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What to do about endometrial cancer pain?

Endometrial cancer, when cancerous tissues invade local nerves, can cause patients to experience pain. This type of pain is recommended to be alleviated by oral painkillers. Pain caused by cancer is an important factor affecting the quality of life of patients in the middle and late stages of the disease; therefore, in clinical practice, analgesic medications can be administered to relieve symptoms in patients with cancer pain. (Please take medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Li Jie
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Does endometrial cancer cause bleeding every day?

In the early stages of endometrial cancer, the symptoms may only present as irregular vaginal discharge, which could be serous or bloody in nature. In advanced stages of endometrial cancer, irregular vaginal bleeding occurs, which can vary in amount and may not occur daily. This can also be accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Through an ultrasound, thickening of the endometrial lining or a mass in the uterine cavity can be seen, containing rich blood flow. It is essential to undergo a curettage and pathological examination to confirm if it is endometrial cancer. It is crucial to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid staying up late, pay attention to rest, timely diagnose at hospitals, and develop a healthy routine in daily life.

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Stage IA endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. Clinically, the surgical pathology staging revised by the World Health Organization in 2000 is mainly used, based on the severity of the lesion after surgery. Endometrial cancer can be divided into four stages, where, depending on the size and severity of the lesion, it can further be classified into sub-stages a, b, and c. Stage IA refers to cancer limited to the endometrium and is the earliest stage of endometrial cancer. Stage IA endometrial cancer can be completely cured with surgical treatment.

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Is endometrial hyperplasia cancer?

Endometrial hyperplasia is not cancer; the normal endometrial lining is in a proliferative state. Endometrial hyperplasia occurs due to a lack of secretion of progesterone. If it continues to develop, it can progress to atypical endometrial hyperplasia, which is a precancerous condition of the endometrium. If not treated in time, it could develop into endometrial cancer. Thus, active treatment of endometrial hyperplasia is necessary. Large doses of progesterone can be used to promote the transformation of the endometrial lining. Once the endometrium transforms into the secretory phase, it indicates that the endometrial hyperplasia has been effectively treated and can prevent the progression to endometrial cancer.