Is endometrial tofu dregs-like a sign of endometrial cancer?

Written by Li Li Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 17, 2024
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Endometrial cancer usually manifests in five main aspects. First, irregular vaginal bleeding, which is typically light but can be moderate in some patients. If the patient is postmenopausal, the bleeding often appears as either continuous or intermittent. Second, menstrual disorders, which are a common symptom of endometrial cancer as it is a malignant tumor occurring in the endometrium and significantly affects menstruation. Third, vaginal discharge, where some patients may experience a discharge of thin, white secretions, or a very small amount of bloody discharge in the early stages of the disease. Fourth, pain; once a patient develops endometrial cancer, the tumor may cause bleeding and possibly lead to infection. Fifth, abdominal masses, which can occur if there is a combination of large uterine fibroids or in advanced stages, potentially leading to the formation of large masses in the pelvic cavity due to the spread of a uterine cavity abscess.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are uterine polyps and endometrial cancer the same?

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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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a thick endometrium the same as cancer?

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 Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is endometrial cancer detected?

When women experience irregular vaginal bleeding, or vaginal bleeding reoccurs after menopause, and uterine endometrial cancer is suspected, the first step is to conduct a routine gynecological examination to identify whether the bleeding originates from the uterine cavity or the cervix. Additionally, an ultrasound examination can be conducted to observe the condition inside the uterine cavity, the thickness of the endometrium, whether the thickness is uniform, and whether there are any abnormal growths, to understand whether the woman might have uterine endometrial cancer. However, these methods usually cannot provide a diagnosis and only serve to assess or suggest the possibility of endometrial cancer. For a definitive diagnosis, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage can be performed, and the results of the pathological examination can confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can endometrial cancer patients become pregnant?

After the occurrence of endometrial cancer, it is not possible to become pregnant. This is because, after pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases, and her resistance to illness declines. This will affect the woman's health and may exacerbate the condition of endometrial cancer. Additionally, women with endometrial cancer, even if they become pregnant, may experience miscarriages as the embryo cannot develop normally, and even many harmful symptoms might occur, affecting the woman's health. Therefore, women with endometrial cancer should take contraceptive measures to prevent unintended pregnancies.