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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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 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.

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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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Is endometrial hyperplasia cancer?

Endometrial hyperplasia is not the same as endometrial cancer; it can be treated promptly. Endometrial cancer develops from ongoing endometrial hyperplasia, which can progress into atypical hyperplasia, a precancerous condition of the endometrium. Further development can lead to endometrial cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to treat endometrial hyperplasia actively to prevent its progression to endometrial cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia results from a lack of progesterone influence, causing the endometrium to remain in a proliferative state rather than transitioning to the secretory phase. With the influence of progesterone, the endometrium would not undergo hyperplasia; therefore, treating endometrial hyperplasia with progesterone is advisable.