Endometrial cancer: Difference between revisions
Biomed-2020 (talk | contribs) = |
No edit summary |
||
(66 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Uterine cancer that is located in tissues lining the uterus}} |
{{Short description|Uterine cancer that is located in tissues lining the uterus}} |
||
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}} |
|||
{{Featured article}} |
{{Featured article}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} |
||
{{Infobox medical condition (new) |
{{Infobox medical condition (new) |
||
| name |
| name = Endometrial cancer. |
||
| synonyms |
| synonyms = Uterine cancer |
||
| image |
| image = File:Blausen 0348 EndometrialCancer.png |
||
| caption |
| caption = The location and development of endometrial cancer |
||
| alt |
| alt = A diagram of the location and development of endometrial cancer |
||
| field |
| field = [[Oncology]], [[gynecology]] |
||
| symptoms |
| symptoms = [[Vaginal bleeding]], [[dysuria|pain with urination]] or [[dyspareunia|sexual intercourse]], [[pelvic pain]]<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> |
||
| complications |
| complications = |
||
| onset |
| onset = After [[menopause]]<ref name=Cochrane0412/> |
||
| duration |
| duration = |
||
| types |
| types = |
||
| causes |
| causes = |
||
| risks |
| risks = [[Obesity]], excessive [[estrogen]] exposure, [[hypertension|high blood pressure]], [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[family history (medicine)|family history]]<ref name=NCI2014Gen/><ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> |
||
| diagnosis |
| diagnosis = [[Endometrial biopsy]]<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> |
||
| differential |
| differential = |
||
| prevention |
| prevention = |
||
| treatment |
| treatment = [[Abdominal hysterectomy]], [[radiation therapy]], [[chemotherapy]], [[hormone therapy]]<ref name=NCI2014Pro/> |
||
| medication |
| medication = |
||
| prognosis |
| prognosis = [[Five-year survival rate]] ~80% (US)<ref name=SEER2014/> |
||
| frequency |
| frequency = 3.8 million (total affected in 2015)<!-- prevalence --><ref name=GBD2015Pre>{{cite journal | vauthors = ((GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators)) | title = Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 | journal = Lancet | volume = 388 | issue = 10053 | pages = 1545–1602 | date = October 2016 | pmid = 27733282 | pmc = 5055577 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6 }}</ref> |
||
| deaths |
| deaths = 89,900 (2015)<ref name=GBD2015De>{{cite journal | vauthors = ((GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators)) | title = Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 | journal = Lancet | volume = 388 | issue = 10053 | pages = 1459–1544 | date = October 2016 | pmid = 27733281 | pmc = 5388903 | doi = 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31012-1 }}</ref> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
<!-- Definition and Symptoms --> |
<!-- Definition and Symptoms --> |
||
'''Endometrial cancer''' is a [[cancer]] that arises from the [[endometrium]] (the [[epithelium|lining]] of the [[uterus]] or womb).<ref name=NCI2014Gen>{{cite web|title=General Information About Endometrial Cancer|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient/page1/AllPages|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=3 September 2014|date=22 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903191940/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient/page1/AllPages|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> It is the result of the abnormal growth of [[cells (biology)|cells]] that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.<ref name=NCI2014Def>{{cite web|title=Defining Cancer|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=10 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625220940/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer|archive-date=25 June 2014|date=2007-09-17}}</ref> The first sign is most often [[vaginal bleeding]] not associated with a [[menstrual period]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Other symptoms include [[dysuria|pain with urination]], [[dyspareunia|pain during sexual intercourse]], or [[pelvic pain]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Endometrial cancer occurs most commonly after [[menopause]].<ref name=Cochrane0412>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kong A, Johnson N, Kitchener HC, Lawrie TA |
'''Endometrial cancer''' is a [[cancer]] that arises from the [[endometrium]] (the [[epithelium|lining]] of the [[uterus]] or womb).<ref name=NCI2014Gen>{{cite web|title=General Information About Endometrial Cancer|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient/page1/AllPages|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=3 September 2014|date=22 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903191940/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient/page1/AllPages|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> It is the result of the abnormal growth of [[cells (biology)|cells]] that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.<ref name=NCI2014Def>{{cite web|title=Defining Cancer|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=10 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625220940/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer|archive-date=25 June 2014|date=2007-09-17}}</ref> The first sign is most often [[vaginal bleeding]] not associated with a [[menstrual period]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Other symptoms include [[dysuria|pain with urination]], [[dyspareunia|pain during sexual intercourse]], or [[pelvic pain]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Endometrial cancer occurs most commonly after [[menopause]].<ref name=Cochrane0412>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kong A, Johnson N, Kitchener HC, Lawrie TA | title = Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2012 | issue = 4 | pages = CD003916 | date = April 2012 | pmid = 22513918 | pmc = 4164955 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003916.pub4 | veditors = Kong A }}</ref> |
||
<!-- Cause and Diagnosis --> |
<!-- Cause and Diagnosis --> |
||
Approximately 40% of cases are related to [[obesity]].<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> Endometrial cancer is also associated with excessive [[estrogen]] exposure, [[hypertension|high blood pressure]] and [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Whereas taking estrogen alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, taking both estrogen and a [[progestogen]] in combination, as in most [[birth control pills]], decreases the risk.<ref name=NCI2014Gen/><ref name=WCR2014Epi/> Between two and five percent of cases are related to genes inherited from the parents.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> Endometrial cancer is sometimes |
Approximately 40% of cases are related to [[obesity]].<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> Endometrial cancer is also associated with excessive [[estrogen]] exposure, [[hypertension|high blood pressure]] and [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> Whereas taking estrogen alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, taking both estrogen and a [[progestogen]] in combination, as in most [[birth control pills]], decreases the risk.<ref name=NCI2014Gen/><ref name=WCR2014Epi/> Between two and five percent of cases are related to genes inherited from the parents.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> Endometrial cancer is sometimes called "[[uterine cancer]]", although it is distinct from other forms of cancer of the uterus such as [[cervical cancer]], [[uterine sarcoma]], and [[trophoblastic disease]].<ref name=NCIBooklet>{{cite web|title=What You Need To Know: Endometrial Cancer|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/uterus|website=NCI|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=6 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808055841/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/uterus|archive-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> The most frequent [[Histopathology|type]] of endometrial cancer is endometrioid [[carcinoma]], which accounts for more than 80% of cases.<ref name="WCR2014Epi">{{cite book |author=International Agency for Research on Cancer |year=2014 |title=World Cancer Report 2014 |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] |isbn=978-92-832-0429-9 |at=Chapter 5.12}}</ref> Endometrial cancer is commonly diagnosed by [[endometrial biopsy]] or by taking samples during a procedure known as [[dilation and curettage]].<ref name=NCI2014Gen/> A [[pap smear]] is not typically sufficient to show endometrial cancer.<ref name=NCI2014Pro>{{cite web|title=Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)|url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page1/AllPages|publisher=National Cancer Institute|access-date=3 September 2014|date=23 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903193046/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page1/AllPages|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> Regular screening in those at normal risk is not called for.<ref name=Hoffman823>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |page=823 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
||
<!-- Treatment and Prognosis --> |
<!-- Treatment and Prognosis --> |
||
Line 35: | Line 36: | ||
<!-- Epidemiology --> |
<!-- Epidemiology --> |
||
In 2012, endometrial cancers newly occurred in 320,000 women and caused 76,000 deaths.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> This makes it the third most common cause of death in cancers which only affect women, behind [[ovarian cancer|ovarian]] and cervical cancer.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> It is more common in the developed world<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> and is the most common cancer of the [[female reproductive tract]] in developed countries.<ref name=NCI2014Pro/> Rates of endometrial cancer have risen in a number of countries between the 1980s and 2010.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> This is believed to be due to the increasing number of elderly people and increasing rates of obesity.<ref name=Hoffman817>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |page=817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
In 2012, endometrial cancers newly occurred in 320,000 women and caused 76,000 deaths.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> This makes it the third most common cause of death in cancers which only affect women, behind [[ovarian cancer|ovarian]] and cervical cancer.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> It is more common in the developed world<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> and is the most common cancer of the [[female reproductive tract]] in developed countries.<ref name=NCI2014Pro/> Rates of endometrial cancer have risen in a number of countries between the 1980s and 2010.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/> This is believed to be due to the increasing number of elderly people and increasing rates of obesity.<ref name=Hoffman817>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |page=817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
||
[[File:Endometrial Cancer Did You Know (1).webm|thumb|upright=1.3|Video overview of endometrial cancer<ref>{{cite web |title=Uterine Cancer - Cancer Stat Facts |url=https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/corp.html |website=SEER |access-date=3 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>]] |
[[File:Endometrial Cancer Did You Know (1).webm|thumb|upright=1.3|Video overview of endometrial cancer<ref>{{cite web |title=Uterine Cancer - Cancer Stat Facts |url=https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/corp.html |website=SEER |access-date=3 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>]] |
||
{{TOC limit}} |
{{TOC limit}} |
||
Line 42: | Line 43: | ||
[[Vaginal bleeding]] or spotting in women after [[menopause]] occurs in 90% of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name=CurrentSurgery>{{cite book |vauthors = Reynolds RK, Loar PV |year=2010 |chapter=Gynecology | veditors = Doherty GM |title=Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery |edition=13th |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-163515-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Clarke MA, Long BJ, Del Mar Morillo A, Arbyn M, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Wentzensen N | title = Association of Endometrial Cancer Risk With Postmenopausal Bleeding in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | journal = JAMA Internal Medicine | volume = 178 | issue = 9 | pages = 1210–1222 | date = September 2018 | pmid = 30083701 | pmc = 6142981 | doi = 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2820 }}</ref> Bleeding is especially common with [[adenocarcinoma]], occurring in two-thirds of all cases.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name=Hoffman823/> Abnormal [[menstrual cycle]]s or extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding in women before menopause may also be a sign of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Hoffman823/> |
[[Vaginal bleeding]] or spotting in women after [[menopause]] occurs in 90% of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name=CurrentSurgery>{{cite book |vauthors = Reynolds RK, Loar PV |year=2010 |chapter=Gynecology | veditors = Doherty GM |title=Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery |edition=13th |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-163515-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Clarke MA, Long BJ, Del Mar Morillo A, Arbyn M, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Wentzensen N | title = Association of Endometrial Cancer Risk With Postmenopausal Bleeding in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | journal = JAMA Internal Medicine | volume = 178 | issue = 9 | pages = 1210–1222 | date = September 2018 | pmid = 30083701 | pmc = 6142981 | doi = 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2820 }}</ref> Bleeding is especially common with [[adenocarcinoma]], occurring in two-thirds of all cases.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name=Hoffman823/> Abnormal [[menstrual cycle]]s or extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding in women before menopause may also be a sign of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Hoffman823/> |
||
Symptoms other than bleeding are not common. Other symptoms include thin white or clear [[vaginal discharge]] in postmenopausal women. <!--<ref name=Hoffman823/> --> More advanced disease shows more obvious symptoms or signs that can be detected on a [[physical examination]].<!-- <ref name=Hoffman/> --> The uterus may become enlarged or the cancer may spread, causing lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping.<ref name=Hoffman823/> [[Dyspareunia|Painful sexual intercourse]] or [[dysuria|painful or difficult urination]] are less common signs of endometrial cancer.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> The uterus may also fill with [[pus]] ([[pyometrea]]).<ref name="bmj" /> Of women with these less common symptoms (vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pus), 10–15% have cancer.<ref name="Cochrane05142">{{cite journal | vauthors = Galaal K, Al Moundhri M, Bryant A, Lopes AD, Lawrie TA | title = Adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = |
Symptoms other than bleeding are not common. Other symptoms include thin white or clear [[vaginal discharge]] in postmenopausal women. <!--<ref name=Hoffman823/> --> More advanced disease shows more obvious symptoms or signs that can be detected on a [[physical examination]].<!-- <ref name=Hoffman/> --> The uterus may become enlarged or the cancer may spread, causing lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping.<ref name=Hoffman823/> [[Dyspareunia|Painful sexual intercourse]] or [[dysuria|painful or difficult urination]] are less common signs of endometrial cancer.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> The uterus may also fill with [[pus]] ([[pyometrea]]).<ref name="bmj" /> Of women with these less common symptoms (vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pus), 10–15% have cancer.<ref name="Cochrane05142">{{cite journal | vauthors = Galaal K, Al Moundhri M, Bryant A, Lopes AD, Lawrie TA | title = Adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2014 | issue = 5 | pages = CD010681 | date = May 2014 | pmid = 24832785 | pmc = 6457820 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD010681.pub2 }}</ref> |
||
==Risk factors== |
==Risk factors== |
||
Risk factors for endometrial cancer include [[obesity]], [[diabetes mellitus]], [[breast cancer]], use of [[tamoxifen]], [[nulliparity|never having had a child]], late menopause, high levels of [[estrogen]], and increasing age.<ref name="bmj" /><ref name="Cochrane05142"/> Immigration studies (migration studies), which examine the change in cancer risk in populations moving between countries with different rates of cancer, show that there is some environmental component to endometrial cancer.<ref name=Hoffman818>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> These environmental [[risk factor]]s are not well characterized.<ref name=Ma/> |
Risk factors for endometrial cancer include [[obesity]], [[insulin resistance]] and [[diabetes mellitus]], [[breast cancer]], use of [[tamoxifen]], [[nulliparity|never having had a child]], late [[menopause]], high levels of [[estrogen]], and [[biological aging|increasing age]].<ref name="bmj" /><ref name="Cochrane05142"/> Immigration studies (migration studies), which examine the change in cancer risk in populations moving between countries with different rates of cancer, show that there is some environmental component to endometrial cancer.<ref name=Hoffman818>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> These environmental [[risk factor]]s are not well characterized.<ref name=Ma/> It is found that adiposity is associated with the earlier diagnosis of EC, particularly the endometrioid subtype.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pérez-Martín AR, Castro-Eguiluz D, Cetina-Pérez L, Velasco-Torres Y, Bahena-González A, Montes-Servín E, González-Ibarra E, Espinosa-Romero R, Gallardo-Rincón D | display-authors = 6 | title = Impact of metabolic syndrome on the risk of endometrial cancer and the role of lifestyle in prevention | journal = Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences | volume = 22 | issue = 4 | pages = 499–510 | date = July 2022 | pmid = 35276057 | pmc = 9392984 | doi = 10.17305/bjbms.2021.6963 }}</ref> |
||
===Hormones=== |
===Hormones=== |
||
Most of the risk factors for endometrial cancer involve high levels of estrogens. An estimated 40% of cases are thought to be related to obesity.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> In obesity, the excess of [[adipose tissue]] increases conversion of [[androstenedione]] into [[estrone]], an estrogen. Higher levels of estrone in the blood causes [[oligo-ovulation|less]] or [[anovulation|no ovulation]] and exposes the endometrium |
Most of the risk factors for endometrial cancer involve high levels of estrogens. An estimated 40% of cases are thought to be related to obesity.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> In obesity, the excess of [[adipose tissue]] increases conversion of [[androstenedione]] into [[estrone]], an estrogen. Higher levels of estrone in the blood causes [[oligo-ovulation|less]] or [[anovulation|no ovulation]], and exposes the endometrium continuously to high levels of estrogens.<ref name=Hoffman817/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> Obesity also causes less estrogen to be removed from the blood.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> [[Polycystic ovary syndrome]] (PCOS), which also causes irregular or no ovulation, is associated with higher rates of endometrial cancer for the same reasons as obesity.<ref name=Hoffman818/> Specifically, obesity, type II diabetes, and insulin resistance are risk factors for Type I endometrial cancer.<ref name=Sivalingam/> Obesity increases the risk for endometrial cancer by 300–400%.<ref name=Colombo/> |
||
[[Estrogen replacement therapy]] during menopause when not balanced (or "opposed") with [[progestin]] is another risk factor. Higher doses or longer periods of estrogen therapy have higher risks of endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> Women of lower weight are at greater risk from unopposed estrogen.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> A longer period of fertility—either from an early [[menarche|first menstrual period]] or late menopause—is also a risk factor.<ref name="Cochrane08122">{{cite journal | vauthors = Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR | title = Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = |
[[Estrogen replacement therapy]] during menopause when not balanced (or "opposed") with [[progestin]] is another risk factor. Higher doses or longer periods of estrogen therapy have higher risks of endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> Women of lower weight are at greater risk from unopposed estrogen.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> A longer period of fertility—either from an early [[menarche|first menstrual period]] or late menopause—is also a risk factor.<ref name="Cochrane08122">{{cite journal | vauthors = Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR | title = Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2012 | issue = 8 | pages = CD003915 | date = August 2012 | pmid = 22895938 | pmc = 7104534 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003915.pub4 }}</ref> Unopposed estrogen raises an individual's risk of endometrial cancer by 2–10 fold, depending on weight and length of therapy.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> In [[trans men]] who take [[testosterone (medication)|testosterone]] and have not had a hysterectomy, the conversion of testosterone into estrogen via androstenedione may lead to a higher risk of endometrial cancer.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = ((Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women)) | title = Committee Opinion no. 512: health care for transgender individuals | journal = Obstetrics and Gynecology | volume = 118 | issue = 6 | pages = 1454–1458 | date = December 2011 | pmid = 22105293 | doi = 10.1097/aog.0b013e31823ed1c1 | url = http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Health-Care-for-Transgender-Individuals | url-status = live | doi-access = free | df = dmy-all | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141216235324/http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Health-Care-for-Transgender-Individuals | archive-date = 16 December 2014 }}</ref> Higher circulating testosterone levels in women have also been identified as an independent endometrial cancer risk factor.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang X, Kho PF, Ramachandran D, Bafligil C, Amant F, Goode EL, Scott RJ, Tomlinson I, Evans DG, Crosbie EJ, Dörk T, Spurdle AB, Glubb DM, O'Mara TA | display-authors = 6 | title = Multi-trait genome-wide association study identifies a novel endometrial cancer risk locus that associates with testosterone levels | journal = iScience | volume = 26 | issue = 5 | pages = 106590 | date = May 2023 | pmid = 37168552 | pmc = 10165198 | doi = 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106590 | bibcode = 2023iSci...26j6590W }}</ref>{{Unreliable medical source|date=October 2023|sure=y|reason=primary source}} |
||
===Genetics=== |
===Genetics=== |
||
[[File:Autosomal dominant - en.svg|thumb|The autosomal dominant inheritance pattern seen in Lynch syndrome|alt=A diagram of the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, showing how a gene can be passed from an affected parent to an affected child.]] |
[[File:Autosomal dominant - en.svg|thumb|The autosomal dominant inheritance pattern seen in Lynch syndrome|alt=A diagram of the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, showing how a gene can be passed from an affected parent to an affected child.]] |
||
[[Genetic disorder]]s can also cause endometrial cancer. Overall, hereditary causes contribute to 2–10% of endometrial cancer cases.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/><ref name=Reinbolt/> [[Lynch syndrome]], an [[autosomal dominant]] genetic disorder that mainly causes [[colorectal cancer]], also causes endometrial cancer, especially before menopause. Women with Lynch syndrome have a 40–60% risk of developing endometrial cancer, higher than their risk of developing colorectal (bowel) or ovarian cancer.<ref name=Hoffman818/> Ovarian and endometrial cancer develop simultaneously in 20% of people. Endometrial cancer nearly always develops before colon cancer, on average, 11 years before.<ref name=Ma>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma J, Ledbetter N, Glenn L | title = Testing women with endometrial cancer for lynch syndrome: should we test all? | journal = Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology | volume = 4 | issue = 5 | pages = |
[[Genetic disorder]]s can also cause endometrial cancer. Overall, hereditary causes contribute to 2–10% of endometrial cancer cases.<ref name=WCR2014Epi/><ref name=Reinbolt/> [[Lynch syndrome]], an [[autosomal dominant]] genetic disorder that mainly causes [[colorectal cancer]], also causes endometrial cancer, especially before menopause. Women with Lynch syndrome have a 40–60% risk of developing endometrial cancer, higher than their risk of developing colorectal (bowel) or ovarian cancer.<ref name=Hoffman818/> Ovarian and endometrial cancer develop simultaneously in 20% of people. Endometrial cancer nearly always develops before colon cancer, on average, 11 years before.<ref name=Ma>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma J, Ledbetter N, Glenn L | title = Testing women with endometrial cancer for lynch syndrome: should we test all? | journal = Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology | volume = 4 | issue = 5 | pages = 322–330 | date = September 2013 | pmid = 25032011 | pmc = 4093445 | doi = 10.6004/jadpro.2013.4.5.4 }}</ref> [[Carcinogenesis]] in Lynch syndrome comes from a mutation in [[MLH1]] or [[MLH2]]: genes that participate in the process of [[mismatch repair]], which allows a cell to correct mistakes in the DNA.<ref name=Hoffman818/> Other genes mutated in Lynch syndrome include [[MSH2]], [[MSH6]], and [[PMS2]], which are also mismatch repair genes. Women with Lynch syndrome represent 2–3% of endometrial cancer cases; some sources place this as high as 5%.<ref name=Ma/><ref name=Colombo/> Depending on the gene mutation, women with Lynch syndrome have different risks of endometrial cancer. With MLH1 mutations, the risk is 54%; with MSH2, 21%; and with MSH6, 16%.<ref name=Burke1/> |
||
Women with a family history of endometrial cancer are at higher risk.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> Two genes most commonly associated with some other women's cancers, [[BRCA1]] and [[BRCA2]], do not cause endometrial cancer.<!--<ref name=Hoffman818/>--> There is an apparent link with these genes but it is attributable to the use of tamoxifen, a drug that itself can cause endometrial cancer, in breast and ovarian cancers.<ref name=Hoffman818/> The inherited genetic condition [[Cowden syndrome]] can also cause endometrial cancer. Women with this disorder have a 5–10% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer,<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> compared to the 2–3% risk for unaffected women.<ref name=Ma/> |
Women with a family history of endometrial cancer are at higher risk.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> Two genes most commonly associated with some other women's cancers, [[BRCA1]] and [[BRCA2]], do not cause endometrial cancer.<!--<ref name=Hoffman818/>--> There is an apparent link with these genes but it is attributable to the use of tamoxifen, a drug that itself can cause endometrial cancer, in breast and ovarian cancers.<ref name=Hoffman818/> The inherited genetic condition [[Cowden syndrome]] can also cause endometrial cancer. Women with this disorder have a 5–10% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer,<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> compared to the 2–3% risk for unaffected women.<ref name=Ma/> |
||
Line 63: | Line 64: | ||
Some therapies for other forms of cancer increase the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, which is a baseline 2–3%.<ref name=Ma/> Tamoxifen, a drug used to treat [[Breast cancer#Classification|estrogen-positive breast cancers]], has been associated with endometrial cancer in approximately 0.1% of users, particularly older women, but the benefits for survival from tamoxifen generally outweigh the risk of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Cochrane1012>{{cite journal | vauthors = Staley H, McCallum I, Bruce J | title = Postoperative tamoxifen for ductal carcinoma in situ | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 10 | pages = CD007847 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 23076938 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD007847.pub2 | quote = There is evidence from other reports that tamoxifen increases the risk of endometrial cancer although the data presented in this review describes only 10 events occurring in 1798 participants (0.5%) after seven years of follow-up. }}</ref> A one to two-year course of tamoxifen approximately doubles the risk of endometrial cancer, and a five-year course of therapy quadruples that risk.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> [[Raloxifene]], a similar drug, did not raise the risk of endometrial cancer.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> Previously having [[ovarian cancer]] is a risk factor for endometrial cancer,<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn33>{{cite book | vauthors = Coleman RL, Ramirez PT, Gershenson DM |year=2013 |chapter=Neoplastic Diseases of the Ovary | veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> as is having had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. Specifically, ovarian [[granulosa cell tumor]]s and [[thecoma]]s are tumors associated with endometrial cancer. |
Some therapies for other forms of cancer increase the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, which is a baseline 2–3%.<ref name=Ma/> Tamoxifen, a drug used to treat [[Breast cancer#Classification|estrogen-positive breast cancers]], has been associated with endometrial cancer in approximately 0.1% of users, particularly older women, but the benefits for survival from tamoxifen generally outweigh the risk of endometrial cancer.<ref name=Cochrane1012>{{cite journal | vauthors = Staley H, McCallum I, Bruce J | title = Postoperative tamoxifen for ductal carcinoma in situ | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 10 | pages = CD007847 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 23076938 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD007847.pub2 | quote = There is evidence from other reports that tamoxifen increases the risk of endometrial cancer although the data presented in this review describes only 10 events occurring in 1798 participants (0.5%) after seven years of follow-up. }}</ref> A one to two-year course of tamoxifen approximately doubles the risk of endometrial cancer, and a five-year course of therapy quadruples that risk.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> [[Raloxifene]], a similar drug, did not raise the risk of endometrial cancer.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> Previously having [[ovarian cancer]] is a risk factor for endometrial cancer,<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn33>{{cite book | vauthors = Coleman RL, Ramirez PT, Gershenson DM |year=2013 |chapter=Neoplastic Diseases of the Ovary | veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> as is having had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. Specifically, ovarian [[granulosa cell tumor]]s and [[thecoma]]s are tumors associated with endometrial cancer. |
||
[[Immunodeficiency|Low immune function]] has also been implicated in endometrial cancer.<ref name=bmj/> [[Hypertension|High blood pressure]] is also a risk factor,<ref name=Colombo/> but this may be because of its association with obesity.<ref name=Burke1/> [[Sitting]] regularly for prolonged periods is associated with higher mortality from endometrial cancer. The risk is not negated by regular exercise, though it is lowered.<ref name=Biswas>{{cite journal | vauthors = Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, Alter DA | title = Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Annals of Internal Medicine | volume = 162 | issue = 2 | pages = |
[[Immunodeficiency|Low immune function]] has also been implicated in endometrial cancer.<ref name=bmj/> [[Hypertension|High blood pressure]] is also a risk factor,<ref name=Colombo/> but this may be because of its association with obesity.<ref name=Burke1/> [[Sitting]] regularly for prolonged periods is associated with higher mortality from endometrial cancer. The risk is not negated by regular exercise, though it is lowered.<ref name=Biswas>{{cite journal | vauthors = Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, Alter DA | title = Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Annals of Internal Medicine | volume = 162 | issue = 2 | pages = 123–132 | date = January 2015 | pmid = 25599350 | doi = 10.7326/M14-1651 | s2cid = 7256176 }}</ref> |
||
===Protective factors=== |
===Protective factors=== |
||
[[Smoking]]<!--just tobacco?--> and the use of progestin are both protective against endometrial cancer. Smoking provides protection by altering the metabolism of estrogen and promoting weight loss and early menopause. This protective effect lasts long after smoking is stopped. Progestin is present in the [[combined oral contraceptive]] pill and the hormonal [[intrauterine device]] (IUD).<ref name=Hoffman818/><ref name=Hoffman819>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=819 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Combined oral contraceptives reduce risk more the longer they are taken: by 56% after four years, 67% after eight years, and 72% after twelve years. This risk reduction continues for at least fifteen years after contraceptive use has been stopped.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> Obese women may need higher doses of progestin to be protected.<ref name=Hoffman819/> Having had more than five infants (grand multiparity) is also a protective factor,<ref name=bmj/> and having at least one child reduces the risk by 35%. Breastfeeding for more than 18 months reduces risk by 23%. Increased physical activity reduces an individual's risk by 38–46%. There is preliminary evidence that consumption of [[soy]] is protective.<ref name=NIH-Prevention>{{cite web |url = http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page2 |title = Endometrial Cancer Prevention |work = PDQ |publisher = NIH |date = 28 February 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150105071648/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page2 |archive-date = 5 January 2015 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
[[Smoking]]<!--just tobacco?--> and the use of progestin are both protective against endometrial cancer. Smoking provides protection by altering the metabolism of estrogen and promoting weight loss and early menopause. This protective effect lasts long after smoking is stopped. Progestin is present in the [[combined oral contraceptive]] pill and the hormonal [[intrauterine device]] (IUD).<ref name=Hoffman818/><ref name=Hoffman819>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=819 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Combined oral contraceptives reduce risk more the longer they are taken: by 56% after four years, 67% after eight years, and 72% after twelve years. This risk reduction continues for at least fifteen years after contraceptive use has been stopped.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> Obese women may need higher doses of progestin to be protected.<ref name=Hoffman819/> Having had more than five infants (grand multiparity) is also a protective factor,<ref name=bmj/> and having at least one child reduces the risk by 35%. Breastfeeding for more than 18 months reduces risk by 23%. Increased physical activity reduces an individual's risk by 38–46%. There is preliminary evidence that consumption of [[soy]] is protective.<ref name=NIH-Prevention>{{cite web |url = http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page2 |title = Endometrial Cancer Prevention |work = PDQ |publisher = NIH |date = 28 February 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150105071648/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page2 |archive-date = 5 January 2015 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[Mendelian randomization]] analyses have established potential protective factors such as [[LDL-cholesterol|LDL cholesterol]], later age of [[menarche]] and [[Sex hormone-binding globulin|sex hormone binding globulin]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang X, Glubb DM, O'Mara TA | title = 10 Years of GWAS discovery in endometrial cancer: Aetiology, function and translation | journal = eBioMedicine | volume = 77 | pages = 103895 | date = March 2022 | pmid = 35219087 | pmc = 8881374 | doi = 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103895 }}</ref> |
||
==Pathophysiology== |
==Pathophysiology== |
||
Line 179: | Line 180: | ||
Endometrial cancer forms when there are errors in normal endometrial [[cell cycle|cell growth]].<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> Usually, when cells grow old or get damaged, they [[apoptosis|die]], and new cells take their place.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> Cancer starts when new cells form unneeded, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> These abnormal cancer cells have many [[genetic mutation|genetic abnormalities]] that cause them to grow excessively.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> |
Endometrial cancer forms when there are errors in normal endometrial [[cell cycle|cell growth]].<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> Usually, when cells grow old or get damaged, they [[apoptosis|die]], and new cells take their place.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> Cancer starts when new cells form unneeded, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.<!-- <ref name=NCIBooklet/> --> These abnormal cancer cells have many [[genetic mutation|genetic abnormalities]] that cause them to grow excessively.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> |
||
In 10–20% of endometrial cancers, mostly Grade 3 (the highest [[Grading (tumors)|histologic grade]]), [[mutation]]s are found in a [[tumor suppressor]] gene, commonly [[p53]] or [[PTEN (gene)|PTEN]]. In 20% of [[endometrial hyperplasia]]s and 50% of [[endometrioid cancer]]s, PTEN |
In 10–20% of endometrial cancers, mostly Grade 3 (the highest [[Grading (tumors)|histologic grade]]), [[mutation]]s are found in a [[tumor suppressor]] gene, commonly [[p53]] or [[PTEN (gene)|PTEN]]. In 20% of [[endometrial hyperplasia]]s and 50% of [[endometrioid cancer]]s, PTEN has a [[loss-of-function mutation]] or a [[null mutation]], making it less effective or completely ineffective.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> Loss of PTEN function leads to up-regulation of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway, which causes cell growth.<ref name=Colombo/> The p53 pathway can either be suppressed or highly activated in endometrial cancer. When a mutant version of p53 is overexpressed, the cancer tends to be particularly aggressive.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> P53 mutations and [[chromosome instability]] are associated with serous carcinomas, which tend to resemble ovarian and Fallopian carcinomas. Serous carcinomas are thought to develop from [[endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma]].<ref name=Colombo/> |
||
[[File:Patterns of p53 expression.png|thumb|290px|Different patterns of p53 expression in endometrial cancers on chromogenic immunohistochemistry, whereof all except wild-type are variably termed abnormal/aberrant/mutation-type and are strongly predictive of an underlying TP53 mutation:<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Köbel M, Ronnett BM, Singh N, Soslow RA, Gilks CB, McCluggage WG | title = Interpretation of P53 Immunohistochemistry in Endometrial Carcinomas: Toward Increased Reproducibility | journal = International Journal of Gynecological Pathology | volume = 38 | issue = Suppl 1 | pages = S123–S131 | date = January 2019 | pmid = 29517499 | pmc = 6127005 | doi = 10.1097/PGP.0000000000000488 }} {{CC-notice|cc=by4}}</ref>]] |
|||
PTEN and [[p27 (gene)|p27]] loss of function mutations are associated with a good prognosis, particularly in obese women. The [[Her2/neu]] [[oncogene]], which indicates a poor prognosis, is expressed in 20% of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. [[CTNNB1]] (beta-catenin; a [[transcription (genetics)|transcription]] gene) mutations are found in 14–44% of endometrial cancers and may indicate a good prognosis, but the data is unclear.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> Beta-catenin mutations are commonly found in endometrial cancers with [[squamous cell]]s.<ref name=Colombo/> [[FGFR2]] mutations are found in approximately 10% of endometrial cancers, and their prognostic significance is unclear.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26>{{cite book | vauthors = Thaker PH, Sood AK |chapter=Molecular Oncology in Gynecologic Cancer |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]|date=2012-01-01 }}</ref> [[SPOP]] is another tumor suppressor gene found to be mutated in some cases of endometrial cancer: 9% of clear cell endometrial carcinomas and 8% of serous endometrial carcinomas have mutations in this gene.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mani RS | title = The emerging role of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) in cancer development | journal = Drug Discovery Today | volume = 19 | issue = 9 | pages = |
PTEN and [[p27 (gene)|p27]] loss of function mutations are associated with a good prognosis, particularly in obese women. The [[Her2/neu]] [[oncogene]], which indicates a poor prognosis, is expressed in 20% of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. [[CTNNB1]] (beta-catenin; a [[transcription (genetics)|transcription]] gene) mutations are found in 14–44% of endometrial cancers and may indicate a good prognosis, but the data is unclear.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> Beta-catenin mutations are commonly found in endometrial cancers with [[squamous cell]]s.<ref name=Colombo/> [[FGFR2]] mutations are found in approximately 10% of endometrial cancers, and their prognostic significance is unclear.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26>{{cite book | vauthors = Thaker PH, Sood AK |chapter=Molecular Oncology in Gynecologic Cancer |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]|date=2012-01-01 }}</ref> [[SPOP]] is another tumor suppressor gene found to be mutated in some cases of endometrial cancer: 9% of clear cell endometrial carcinomas and 8% of serous endometrial carcinomas have mutations in this gene.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mani RS | title = The emerging role of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) in cancer development | journal = Drug Discovery Today | volume = 19 | issue = 9 | pages = 1498–1502 | date = September 2014 | pmid = 25058385 | pmc = 4237012 | doi = 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.07.009 | quote = A recent exome-sequencing study revealed that 8% of serious endometrial cancers and 9% of clear cell endometrial cancers have SPOP mutations }}</ref> |
||
Type I and Type II cancers (explained below) tend to have different mutations involved. ARID1A, which often carries a [[point mutation]] in Type I endometrial cancer, is also mutated in 26% of clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium, and 18% of serous carcinomas. [[Gene silencing|Epigenetic silencing]] and point mutations of several genes are commonly found in Type I endometrial cancer.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/><ref name=Suh/> Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in Type II endometrial cancer.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> [[PIK3CA]] is commonly mutated in both Type I and Type II cancers.<ref name=Suh/> In women with Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, [[microsatellite instability]] is common.<ref name=Colombo/> |
Type I and Type II cancers (explained below) tend to have different mutations involved. ARID1A, which often carries a [[point mutation]] in Type I endometrial cancer, is also mutated in 26% of clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium, and 18% of serous carcinomas. [[Gene silencing|Epigenetic silencing]] and point mutations of several genes are commonly found in Type I endometrial cancer.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/><ref name=Suh/> Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in Type II endometrial cancer.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> [[PIK3CA]] is commonly mutated in both Type I and Type II cancers.<ref name=Suh/> In women with Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, [[microsatellite instability]] is common.<ref name=Colombo/> |
||
Development of an [[endometrial hyperplasia]] (overgrowth of endometrial cells) is a significant risk factor because hyperplasias can and often do develop into adenocarcinoma, though cancer can develop without the presence of a hyperplasia.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> Within ten years, 8–30% of atypical endometrial hyperplasias develop into cancer, whereas 1–3% of non-atypical hyperplasias do so.<ref name=Cochrane0613>{{cite journal | vauthors = Luo L, Luo B, Zheng Y, Zhang H, Li J, Sidell N | title = Oral and intrauterine progestogens for atypical endometrial hyperplasia | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 12 | pages = CD009458 | date = December 2018 | pmid = 30521671 | pmc = 6517239 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD009458.pub3}}</ref> An atypical hyperplasia is one with visible abnormalities in the [[cell nucleus|nuclei]]. Pre-cancerous endometrial hyperplasias are also referred to as [[endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia]].<ref name=Hoffman820>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=820 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Mutations in the [[KRAS]] gene can cause endometrial hyperplasia and therefore Type I endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> Endometrial hyperplasia typically occurs after the age of 40.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> [[Endometrial glandular dysplasia]] occurs with an overexpression of p53, and develops into a serous carcinoma.<ref name=bmj>{{cite journal | vauthors = Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S |
Development of an [[endometrial hyperplasia]] (overgrowth of endometrial cells) is a significant risk factor because hyperplasias can and often do develop into adenocarcinoma, though cancer can develop without the presence of a hyperplasia.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> Within ten years, 8–30% of atypical endometrial hyperplasias develop into cancer, whereas 1–3% of non-atypical hyperplasias do so.<ref name=Cochrane0613>{{cite journal | vauthors = Luo L, Luo B, Zheng Y, Zhang H, Li J, Sidell N | title = Oral and intrauterine progestogens for atypical endometrial hyperplasia | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2018 | issue = 12 | pages = CD009458 | date = December 2018 | pmid = 30521671 | pmc = 6517239 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD009458.pub3 }}</ref> An atypical hyperplasia is one with visible abnormalities in the [[cell nucleus|nuclei]]. Pre-cancerous endometrial hyperplasias are also referred to as [[endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia]].<ref name=Hoffman820>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=820 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Mutations in the [[KRAS]] gene can cause endometrial hyperplasia and therefore Type I endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn26/> Endometrial hyperplasia typically occurs after the age of 40.<ref name=NCIBooklet/> [[Endometrial glandular dysplasia]] occurs with an overexpression of p53, and develops into a serous carcinoma.<ref name=bmj>{{cite journal | vauthors = Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S | title = Endometrial cancer | journal = BMJ | volume = 343 | pages = d3954 | date = July 2011 | pmid = 21734165 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.d3954 | s2cid = 206893378 }}</ref> |
||
==Diagnosis== |
==Diagnosis== |
||
Diagnosis of endometrial cancer is made first by a physical examination, endometrial biopsy, or [[dilation and curettage]] (removal of endometrial tissue; D&C). This tissue is then examined histologically for characteristics of cancer. If cancer is found, medical imaging may be done to see whether the cancer has spread or invaded |
Diagnosis of endometrial cancer is made first by a physical examination, endometrial biopsy, or [[dilation and curettage]] (removal of endometrial tissue; D&C). This tissue is then examined histologically for characteristics of cancer. If cancer is found, medical imaging may be done to see whether the cancer has spread or invaded tissues like the myometrium (the muscular wall of the womb) or the uterine cervix. A study from 2024 indicates that transvaginal ultrasound provides diagnostic performance comparable to magnetic resonance imaging regarding the myometrial infiltration assessment. However, magnetic resonance imaging showed significantly better specificity in low-grade endometrial cancer. <ref>Madár, I.; Szabó, A.; Vleskó, G.; Hegyi, P.; Ács, N.; Fehérvári, P.; Kói, T.; Kálovics, E.; Szabó, G. Diagnostic Accuracy of Transvaginal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Detection of Myometrial Infiltration in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers 2024, 16, 907. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16050907</ref> |
||
===Examination=== |
===Examination=== |
||
Line 204: | Line 206: | ||
===Classification=== |
===Classification=== |
||
Endometrial cancers may be tumors derived from epithelial cells (carcinomas), mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumors (carcinosarcomas), or mesenchymal tumors.<ref name="Murali">{{cite journal | vauthors = Murali R, Soslow RA, Weigelt B | title = Classification of endometrial carcinoma: more than two types | journal = The Lancet. Oncology | volume = 15 | issue = 7 | pages = |
Endometrial cancers may be tumors derived from epithelial cells (carcinomas), mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumors (carcinosarcomas), or mesenchymal tumors.<ref name="Murali">{{cite journal | vauthors = Murali R, Soslow RA, Weigelt B | title = Classification of endometrial carcinoma: more than two types | journal = The Lancet. Oncology | volume = 15 | issue = 7 | pages = e268–e278 | date = June 2014 | pmid = 24872110 | doi = 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70591-6 }}</ref> |
||
[[File:Pie chart of relative incidences of endometrial carcinoma.png|thumb|Relative incidences of endometrial carcinomas by histopathology |
[[File:Pie chart of relative incidences of endometrial carcinoma.png|thumb|Relative incidences of endometrial carcinomas by histopathology<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mendivil A, Schuler KM, Gehrig PA | title = Non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus: a review of selected histological subtypes | journal = Cancer Control | volume = 16 | issue = 1 | pages = 46–52 | date = January 2009 | pmid = 19078929 | doi = 10.1177/107327480901600107 | doi-access = free }}</ref>]] |
||
Traditional classification of endometrial carcinomas is based either on clinical and endocrine features (Type I and Type II), or histopathological characteristics (endometrioid, serous, and clear-cell). Some tumors are difficult to classify and have features overlapping more than one category. High grade endometrioid tumors, in particular, tend to have both type I and type II features.<ref name="Murali" /> |
Traditional classification of endometrial carcinomas is based either on clinical and endocrine features (Type I and Type II), or histopathological characteristics (endometrioid, serous, and clear-cell). Some tumors are difficult to classify and have features overlapping more than one category. High grade endometrioid tumors, in particular, tend to have both type I and type II features.<ref name="Murali" /> |
||
Line 235: | Line 237: | ||
In [[Endometrioid tumor|endometrioid]] adenocarcinoma, the cancer cells grow in patterns reminiscent of normal endometrium, with many new glands formed from [[columnar epithelium]] with some [[nuclear atypia|abnormal nuclei]]. Low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have well differentiated cells, have not invaded the myometrium, and are seen alongside endometrial hyperplasia. The tumor's glands form very close together, without the [[stroma (animal tissue)|stromal]] tissue that normally separates them. Higher-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have less well-differentiated cells, have more solid sheets of tumor cells no longer organized into glands, and are associated with an [[atrophy|atrophied]] endometrium. There are several subtypes of endometrioid adenocarcinoma with similar prognoses, including villoglandular, secretory, and ciliated cell variants. There is also a subtype characterized by [[squamous]] differentiation. Some endometrioid adenocarcinomas have foci of mucinous carcinoma.<ref name=Hoffman827>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=827 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
In [[Endometrioid tumor|endometrioid]] adenocarcinoma, the cancer cells grow in patterns reminiscent of normal endometrium, with many new glands formed from [[columnar epithelium]] with some [[nuclear atypia|abnormal nuclei]]. Low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have well differentiated cells, have not invaded the myometrium, and are seen alongside endometrial hyperplasia. The tumor's glands form very close together, without the [[stroma (animal tissue)|stromal]] tissue that normally separates them. Higher-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have less well-differentiated cells, have more solid sheets of tumor cells no longer organized into glands, and are associated with an [[atrophy|atrophied]] endometrium. There are several subtypes of endometrioid adenocarcinoma with similar prognoses, including villoglandular, secretory, and ciliated cell variants. There is also a subtype characterized by [[squamous]] differentiation. Some endometrioid adenocarcinomas have foci of mucinous carcinoma.<ref name=Hoffman827>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=827 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
||
The genetic mutations most commonly associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma are in the genes PTEN, a tumor suppressor; PIK3CA, a [[kinase]]; KRAS, a [[GTPase]] that functions in [[signal transduction]]; and CTNNB1, involved in adhesion and cell signaling. The CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) gene is most commonly mutated in the squamous subtype of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.<ref name=annonc>{{cite journal | vauthors = Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C, Sessa C | title = Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 22 |
The genetic mutations most commonly associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma are in the genes PTEN, a tumor suppressor; PIK3CA, a [[kinase]]; KRAS, a [[GTPase]] that functions in [[signal transduction]]; and CTNNB1, involved in adhesion and cell signaling. The CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) gene is most commonly mutated in the squamous subtype of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.<ref name=annonc>{{cite journal | vauthors = Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C, Sessa C | title = Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 22 | issue = Suppl 6 | pages = vi35–vi39 | date = September 2011 | pmid = 21908501 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdr374 | doi-access = }}</ref> |
||
=====Serous carcinoma===== |
=====Serous carcinoma===== |
||
Line 251: | Line 253: | ||
=====Mixed or undifferentiated carcinoma===== |
=====Mixed or undifferentiated carcinoma===== |
||
Mixed carcinomas are those that have both Type I and Type II cells, with one making up at least 10% of the tumor.<ref name=Hoffman827/> These include the malignant [[mixed Müllerian tumor]], which derives from endometrial epithelium and has a poor prognosis.<ref name="Cochrane 1011">{{cite journal | vauthors = Johnson N, Bryant A, Miles T, Hogberg T, Cornes P | title = Adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer after hysterectomy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 10 | pages = CD003175 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 21975736 | pmc = 4164379 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003175.pub2 }}</ref> |
Mixed carcinomas are those that have both Type I and Type II cells, with one making up at least 10% of the tumor.<ref name=Hoffman827/> These include the malignant [[mixed Müllerian tumor]], which derives from endometrial epithelium and has a poor prognosis.<ref name="Cochrane 1011">{{cite journal | vauthors = Johnson N, Bryant A, Miles T, Hogberg T, Cornes P | title = Adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer after hysterectomy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2011 | issue = 10 | pages = CD003175 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 21975736 | pmc = 4164379 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003175.pub2 }}</ref> |
||
Undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas make up less than 1–2% of diagnosed endometrial cancers. They have a worse prognosis than grade III tumors. Histologically, these tumors show sheets of identical epithelial cells with no identifiable pattern.<ref name=Hoffman827/> |
Undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas make up less than 1–2% of diagnosed endometrial cancers. They have a worse prognosis than grade III tumors. Histologically, these tumors show sheets of identical epithelial cells with no identifiable pattern.<ref name=Hoffman827/> |
||
=====Other carcinomas===== |
=====Other carcinomas===== |
||
Non-metastatic [[squamous cell carcinoma]] and [[transitional cell carcinoma]] are very rare in the endometrium. Squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium has a poor prognosis.<ref name=Hoffman827/> It has been reported fewer than 100 times in the medical literature since its characterization in 1892. For primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium (PSCCE) to be diagnosed, there must be no other primary cancer in the endometrium or cervix and it must not be connected to the cervical epithelium. Because of the rarity of this cancer, there are no guidelines for how it should be treated, nor any typical treatment. The common genetic causes remain uncharacterized.<ref name=Goodrich>{{cite journal | vauthors = Goodrich S, Kebria-Moslemi M, Broshears J, Sutton GP, Rose P | title = Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium: two cases and a review of the literature | journal = Diagnostic Cytopathology | volume = 41 | issue = 9 | pages = |
Non-metastatic [[squamous cell carcinoma]] and [[transitional cell carcinoma]] are very rare in the endometrium. Squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium has a poor prognosis.<ref name=Hoffman827/> It has been reported fewer than 100 times in the medical literature since its characterization in 1892. For primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium (PSCCE) to be diagnosed, there must be no other primary cancer in the endometrium or cervix and it must not be connected to the cervical epithelium. Because of the rarity of this cancer, there are no guidelines for how it should be treated, nor any typical treatment. The common genetic causes remain uncharacterized.<ref name=Goodrich>{{cite journal | vauthors = Goodrich S, Kebria-Moslemi M, Broshears J, Sutton GP, Rose P | title = Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium: two cases and a review of the literature | journal = Diagnostic Cytopathology | volume = 41 | issue = 9 | pages = 817–820 | date = September 2013 | pmid = 22241749 | doi = 10.1002/dc.22814 | s2cid = 205746422 }}</ref> Primary transitional cell carcinomas of the endometrium are even more rare; 16 cases had been reported {{as of|2008|lc=on}}. Its pathophysiology and treatments have not been characterized.<ref name=Marino>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mariño-Enríquez A, González-Rocha T, Burgos E, Stolnicu S, Mendiola M, Nogales FF, Hardisson D | title = Transitional cell carcinoma of the endometrium and endometrial carcinoma with transitional cell differentiation: a clinicopathologic study of 5 cases and review of the literature | journal = Human Pathology | volume = 39 | issue = 11 | pages = 1606–1613 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18620731 | doi = 10.1016/j.humpath.2008.03.005 | others = et al. }}</ref> Histologically, TCCE resembles endometrioid carcinoma and is distinct from other transitional cell carcinomas.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ahluwalia M, Light AM, Surampudi K, Finn CB | title = Transitional cell carcinoma of the endometrium: a case report and review of the literature | journal = International Journal of Gynecological Pathology | volume = 25 | issue = 4 | pages = 378–382 | date = October 2006 | pmid = 16990716 | doi = 10.1097/01.pgp.0000215296.53361.4b }}</ref> |
||
====Sarcoma==== |
====Sarcoma==== |
||
{{main|Endometrial stromal sarcoma}} |
{{main|Endometrial stromal sarcoma}} |
||
[[File:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma very high mag.jpg|thumb|alt=Image of the histology of an endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma|Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma—very high magnification—H&E stain]] |
[[File:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma very high mag.jpg|thumb|alt=Image of the histology of an endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma|Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma—very high magnification—H&E stain]] |
||
In contrast to endometrial carcinomas, the uncommon endometrial stromal [[sarcomas]] are cancers that originate in the non-glandular [[connective tissue]] of the endometrium. They are generally non-aggressive and, if they recur, can take decades. Metastases to the lungs and pelvic or peritoneal cavities are the most frequent.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> They typically have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.<ref name=Sylvestre>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sylvestre VT, Dunton CJ | title = Treatment of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma with letrozole: a case report and literature review | journal = Hormones & Cancer | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = |
In contrast to endometrial carcinomas, the uncommon endometrial stromal [[sarcomas]] are cancers that originate in the non-glandular [[connective tissue]] of the endometrium. They are generally non-aggressive and, if they recur, can take decades. Metastases to the lungs and pelvic or peritoneal cavities are the most frequent.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> They typically have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.<ref name=Sylvestre>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sylvestre VT, Dunton CJ | title = Treatment of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma with letrozole: a case report and literature review | journal = Hormones & Cancer | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 112–115 | date = April 2010 | pmid = 21761354 | pmc = 10358008 | doi = 10.1007/s12672-010-0007-9 | s2cid = 26057966 }}</ref> The prognosis for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is good, with 60–90% five-year survival. [[High-grade undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma]] (HGUS) has a worse prognosis, with high rates of recurrence and 25% five-year survival.<ref name=Hensley>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hensley ML | title = Uterine sarcomas: histology and its implications on therapy | journal = American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting | issue = 32 | pages = 356–361 | year = 2012 | pmid = 24451763 | doi = 10.14694/EdBook_AM.2012.32.7 }}</ref> HGUS prognosis is dictated by whether or not the cancer has invaded the arteries and veins. Without vascular invasion, the five-year survival is 83%; it drops to 17% when vascular invasion is observed. Stage I ESS has the best prognosis, with five-year survival of 98% and ten-year survival of 89%. ESS makes up 0.2% of uterine cancers.<ref name=D>{{cite journal | vauthors = D'Angelo E, Prat J | title = Uterine sarcomas: a review | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 116 | issue = 1 | pages = 131–139 | date = January 2010 | pmid = 19853898 | doi = 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.09.023 }}</ref> |
||
===Metastasis=== |
===Metastasis=== |
||
Endometrial cancer frequently metastasizes to the ovaries and Fallopian tubes<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn33/> when the cancer is located in the upper part of the uterus, and the cervix when the cancer is in the lower part of the uterus. The cancer usually first spreads into the myometrium and the [[serosa]], then into other reproductive and pelvic structures. When the [[lymphatic system]] is involved, the [[pelvic lymph nodes|pelvic]] and [[para-aortic lymph nodes|para-aortic nodes]] are usually first to become involved, but in no specific pattern, unlike cervical cancer. More distant metastases are spread by the blood and often occur in the lungs, as well as the liver, brain, and bone.<ref name=Hoffman828>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=828 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Endometrial cancer metastasizes to the lungs 20–25% of the time, more than any other gynecologic cancer.<ref name=Kurra/> |
Endometrial cancer frequently metastasizes to the ovaries and Fallopian tubes<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn33/> when the cancer is located in the upper part of the uterus, and the cervix when the cancer is in the lower part of the uterus. The cancer usually first spreads into the myometrium and the [[serosa]], then into other reproductive and pelvic structures. When the [[lymphatic system]] is involved, the [[pelvic lymph nodes|pelvic]] and [[para-aortic lymph nodes|para-aortic nodes]] are usually first to become involved, but in no specific pattern, unlike cervical cancer. More distant metastases are spread by the blood and often occur in the lungs, as well as the liver, brain, and bone.<ref name=Hoffman828>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=828 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Endometrial cancer metastasizes to the lungs 20–25% of the time, more than any other [[gynecologic cancer]].<ref name=Kurra/> |
||
===Histopathology=== |
===Histopathology=== |
||
⚫ | |||
{{multiple image |
|||
⚫ | There is a three-tiered system for histologically classifying endometrial cancers, ranging from cancers with well-differentiated cells (grade I), to very poorly-differentiated cells (grade III).<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> Grade I cancers are the least aggressive and have the best prognosis, while grade III tumors are the most aggressive and likely to recur. Grade II cancers are intermediate between grades I and III in terms of cell differentiation and aggressiveness of disease.<ref name="Hoffman825">{{cite book|chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550|title=Williams Gynecology|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]]|year=2012|isbn=978-0-07-171672-7|edition=2nd|pages=825|chapter=Endometrial Cancer | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550|archive-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> There is also a separate "nuclear grade" system, where grade 1 tumors have inconspicuous [[cell nuclei]], whereas grade 3 tumors have highly atypical nuclei.<ref>{{cite journal| author=Nofech-Mozes S, Ismiil N, Dubé V, Saad RS, Ghorab Z, Grin A | display-authors=etal| title=Interobserver agreement for endometrial cancer characteristics evaluated on biopsy material. | journal=Obstet Gynecol Int | year= 2012 | volume= 2012 | issue= | pages= 414086 | pmid=22496699 | doi=10.1155/2012/414086 | pmc=3306930 | doi-access=free}}</ref> |
||
<!-- Essential parameters --> |
|||
| align = right |
|||
| direction = vertical |
|||
| width = 180 |
|||
<!-- Image 1 --> |
|||
|image1 = Adenocarcinoma of the Endometrium.jpg |
|||
⚫ | |||
|alt1 = A section of a stage I, grade I endometrial cancer |
|||
<!-- Image 2 --> |
|||
⚫ | |||
|caption2 = A stage III endometrioid adenocarcinoma that has invaded the myometrium |
|||
|alt2=A stage III endometrial cancer that has invaded the myometrium of the uterus |
|||
<!-- Image 3 --> |
|||
⚫ | |||
|caption3 = Metastatic endometrial cancer seen in a removed lung |
|||
|alt3=A gross pathology image of endometrial cancer metastasized to the lung. |
|||
}} |
|||
⚫ | There is a three-tiered system for histologically classifying endometrial cancers, ranging from cancers with well-differentiated cells (grade I), to very poorly-differentiated cells (grade III).<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> Grade I cancers are the least aggressive and have the best prognosis, while grade III tumors are the most aggressive and likely to recur. Grade II cancers are intermediate between grades I and III in terms of cell differentiation and aggressiveness of disease.<ref name="Hoffman825">{{cite book|chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550|title=Williams Gynecology|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]]|year=2012|isbn=978-0-07-171672-7|edition=2nd|pages=825|chapter=Endometrial Cancer | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550|archive-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> |
||
The histopathology of endometrial cancers is highly diverse. The most common finding is a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma,<ref name="Cochrane 1011"/> which is composed of numerous, small, crowded glands with varying degrees of nuclear atypia, mitotic activity, and stratification. This often appears on a background of endometrial hyperplasia. Frank adenocarcinoma may be distinguished from atypical hyperplasia by the finding of clear stromal invasion, or "back-to-back" glands which represent nondestructive replacement of the endometrial stroma by the cancer. With progression of the disease, the myometrium is infiltrated.<ref name="Weidner's">{{cite book | veditors = Weidner N, Coté R, Suster S, Weiss L |year=2002 |title=Modern Surgical Pathology (2 Volume Set) |publisher=[[WB Saunders]] |isbn=978-0-7216-7253-3}}</ref> |
The histopathology of endometrial cancers is highly diverse. The most common finding is a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma,<ref name="Cochrane 1011"/> which is composed of numerous, small, crowded glands with varying degrees of nuclear atypia, mitotic activity, and stratification. This often appears on a background of endometrial hyperplasia. Frank adenocarcinoma may be distinguished from atypical hyperplasia by the finding of clear stromal invasion, or "back-to-back" glands which represent nondestructive replacement of the endometrial stroma by the cancer. With progression of the disease, the myometrium is infiltrated.<ref name="Weidner's">{{cite book | veditors = Weidner N, Coté R, Suster S, Weiss L |year=2002 |title=Modern Surgical Pathology (2 Volume Set) |publisher=[[WB Saunders]] |isbn=978-0-7216-7253-3}}</ref> |
||
<gallery> |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
File:Histopathology of FIGO (architectural) grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma.png|'''Grade 1: ≤5%''' solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.<ref name=Grades>Images by Mikael Häggström, MD. Source for grading criteria:<br>- {{cite journal|last1=Soslow|first1=Robert A.|last2=Tornos|first2=Carmen|last3=Park|first3=Kay J.|last4=Malpica|first4=Anais|last5=Matias-Guiu|first5=Xavier|last6=Oliva|first6=Esther|last7=Parkash|first7=Vinita|last8=Carlson|first8=Joseph|last9=McCluggage|first9=W. Glenn|last10=Gilks|first10=C. Blake|title=Endometrial Carcinoma Diagnosis|journal=International Journal of Gynecological Pathology|volume=38|year=2019|issue=1 Suppl 1 |pages=S64–S74|issn=0277-1691|doi=10.1097/PGP.0000000000000518|pmid=30550484 |pmc=6295928 }}</ref> |
|||
File:FIGO grade 2 endometrial adenocarcinoma.jpg|'''Grade 2: >5% and ≤50%''' solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.<ref name=Grades/> |
|||
File:FIGO grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma.jpg|'''Grade 3: >50%''' solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.<ref name=Grades/> |
|||
File:Histopathology of endometrioid cancer, grade 1, nuclear grade 1.jpg|'''Nuclear grade 1''': Oval, mildly enlarged nucleus with evenly distributed chromatin.<ref name=NuclearGrades>Images by Mikael Häggström, MD. Source for criteria:<br>- {{cite journal| author=Nofech-Mozes S, Ismiil N, Dubé V, Saad RS, Ghorab Z, Grin A | display-authors=etal| title=Interobserver agreement for endometrial cancer characteristics evaluated on biopsy material. | journal=Obstet Gynecol Int | year= 2012 | volume= 2012 | issue= | pages= 414086 | pmid=22496699 | doi=10.1155/2012/414086 | pmc=3306930 | doi-access=free}} </ref> |
|||
File:Histopathology of endometrioid cancer, grade 1, nuclear grade 2.jpg|'''Nuclear grade 2''': Intermediate features.<ref name=NuclearGrades/> |
|||
File:Endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma, nuclear and architectural grade 3.jpg|'''Nuclear grade 3''': Markedly enlarged and pleomorphic nuclei, with coarse chromatin and distinct nucleoli.<ref name=NuclearGrades/> |
|||
File:Endometrial endometrioid carcinoma with squamous differentiation and keratin granulomas, high magnification.jpg|Squamous growth seen as necrotic “ghost cells” of keratinocytes at right in image, leaving pink keratin. |
|||
</gallery> |
|||
===Staging=== |
===Staging=== |
||
Endometrial carcinoma is surgically staged using the [[International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics|FIGO]] [[cancer staging]] system. The 2009 FIGO staging system is as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage Information for Endometrial Cancer |url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page3 |publisher=[[National Cancer Institute]] |access-date=23 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406044240/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page3 |archive-date=6 April 2014 |date=January 1980 }}</ref><ref>{{cite |
Endometrial carcinoma is surgically staged using the [[International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics|FIGO]] [[cancer staging]] system. The 2009 FIGO staging system is commonly used. There is an updated 2023 FIGO staging system, but it is not yet universally adopted.<ref name="pmid37337978">{{cite journal| author=Berek JS, Matias-Guiu X, Creutzberg C, Fotopoulou C, Gaffney D, Kehoe S | display-authors=etal| title=FIGO staging of endometrial cancer: 2023. | journal=Int J Gynaecol Obstet | year= 2023 | volume= 162 | issue= 2 | pages= 383-394 | pmid=37337978 | doi=10.1002/ijgo.14923 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=37337978 | hdl=10852/107775 | hdl-access=free }} </ref><ref name="pmid37935523">{{cite journal| author=McCluggage WG, Bosse T, Gilks CB, Howitt BE, McAlpine JN, Nucci MR | display-authors=etal| title=FIGO 2023 endometrial cancer staging: too much, too soon? | journal=Int J Gynecol Cancer | year= 2023 | volume= | issue= | pages= | pmid=37935523 | doi=10.1136/ijgc-2023-004981 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=37935523 }} </ref> The 2009 FIGO staging system is as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage Information for Endometrial Cancer |url=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page3 |publisher=[[National Cancer Institute]] |access-date=23 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406044240/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional/page3 |archive-date=6 April 2014 |date=January 1980 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Mahdy H, Casey MJ, Crotzer D | chapter-url= https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525981/ | chapter = Endometrial Cancer | via = [[National Center for Biotechnology Information]]|year=2021| title = StatPearls [Internet] | location = Treasure Island (FL)| publisher = StatPearls Publishing |pmid=30252237 }}</ref> |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
Line 326: | Line 319: | ||
|Distant metastases including abdominal metastases and/or [[inguinal lymph node]]s |
|Distant metastases including abdominal metastases and/or [[inguinal lymph node]]s |
||
|} |
|} |
||
[[File:HE histopathology and CK AE1-AE3 immunohistochemistry in endometrial adenocarcinoma metastasis to lymph node.png|thumb|250px|[[Histopathology]] of pelvic lymph node involvement in a patient with endometrial adenocarcinoma (FIGO grade 1):<br>- Left panel shows H&E staining and low magnification, where presence of small metastases is hard to see.<br>- Middle panel shows [[immunohistochemistry]] for [[CK AE1/AE3]], which highlights even small tumor nests.<br>- The right panel shows high magnification on a positive area, confirming adenocarcinoma, as it shows tumor cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli.]] |
|||
[[File:HE histopathology and CK AE1-AE3 immunohistochemistry in isolated tumor cells (ITCs) of endometrial adenocarcinoma in a lymph node.png|thumb|In contrast, isolated tumor cells does not count as lymph node metastasis. ITCs for endometrial cancers are defined as less than or equal to 0.2 mm or single cells or clusters of cells less than or equal to 200 cells in a single lymph node cross section.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://documents.cap.org/protocols/Uterus_5.0.0.0.REL_CAPCP.pdf|title=Protocol for the Examination of Specimens From Patients With Carcinoma and Carcinosarcoma of the Endometrium, Version: 5.0.0.0|website=cap.org (College of American Pathologists)}} Protocol Posting Date: December 2023 </ref>]] |
|||
Myometrial invasion and involvement of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes are the most commonly seen patterns of spread.<ref name=Cochrane0412/> A Stage 0 is sometimes included, in this case it is referred to as "[[carcinoma in situ]]".<ref name=NCIBooklet/> In 26% of presumably early-stage cancers, intraoperative staging revealed pelvic and distant metastases, making comprehensive surgical staging necessary.<ref name=Burke1/> |
Myometrial invasion and involvement of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes are the most commonly seen patterns of spread.<ref name=Cochrane0412/> A Stage 0 is sometimes included, in this case it is referred to as "[[carcinoma in situ]]".<ref name=NCIBooklet/> In 26% of presumably early-stage cancers, intraoperative staging revealed pelvic and distant metastases, making comprehensive surgical staging necessary.<ref name=Burke1/> |
||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px"> |
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px"> |
||
File:Diagram showing stage 1A and 1B cancer of the womb CRUK 196.svg|alt=A diagram of stage IA and IB endometrial cancer|Stage IA and IB endometrial cancer |
File:Diagram showing stage 1A and 1B cancer of the womb CRUK 196.svg|alt=A diagram of stage IA and IB endometrial cancer|Stage IA and IB endometrial cancer |
||
Line 340: | Line 333: | ||
===Surgery=== |
===Surgery=== |
||
[[File:Diagram showing keyhole hysterectomy CRUK 164.svg|thumb|A keyhole hysterectomy, one possible surgery to treat endometrial cancer|alt=]] |
[[File:Diagram showing keyhole hysterectomy CRUK 164.svg|thumb|A keyhole hysterectomy, one possible surgery to treat endometrial cancer|alt=]] |
||
The initial treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery; 90% of women with endometrial cancer are treated with some form of surgery.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> Surgical treatment typically consists of [[hysterectomy]] including a bilateral [[salpingo-oophorectomy]], which is the removal of the uterus, and both ovaries and Fallopian tubes. [[Lymphadenectomy]], or removal of pelvic and para-aortic [[lymph node]]s, is performed for tumors of histologic grade II or above.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> Lymphadenectomy is routinely performed for all stages of endometrial cancer in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, the lymph nodes are typically only removed with disease of stage II or greater.<ref name=bmj/> The topic of lymphadenectomy and what survival benefit it offers in stage I disease is still being debated.<ref name=Colombo/> In women with presumed stage I disease, a 2017 systematic review found no evidence that lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of death or relapse of cancer when compared with no lymphadenectomy.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Frost JA, Webster KE, Bryant A, Morrison J | title = Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 10 | pages = CD007585 | date = October 2017 | pmid = 28968482 | pmc = 6485923 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd007585.pub4 }}</ref> Women who undergo lymphadenectomy are more likely to experience systemic morbidity related to surgery or lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation.<ref name=":1" /> In stage III and IV cancers, [[cytoreductive surgery]] is the norm,<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> and a biopsy of the [[Greater omentum|omentum]] may also be included.<ref name=Cochrane0912/> In stage IV disease, where there are distant metastases, surgery can be used as part of palliative therapy.<ref name=Colombo/> [[Laparotomy]], an open-abdomen procedure, is the traditional surgical procedure; however, in those with presumed early stage primary endometrial cancer, [[laparoscopy]] (keyhole surgery) is associated with reduced operative morbidity and similar overall and disease free survival.<ref name=Cochrane0912>{{cite journal | vauthors = Galaal K, |
The initial treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery; 90% of women with endometrial cancer are treated with some form of surgery.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> Surgical treatment typically consists of [[hysterectomy]] including a bilateral [[salpingo-oophorectomy]], which is the removal of the uterus, and both ovaries and Fallopian tubes. [[Lymphadenectomy]], or removal of pelvic and para-aortic [[lymph node]]s, is performed for tumors of histologic grade II or above.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> Lymphadenectomy is routinely performed for all stages of endometrial cancer in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, the lymph nodes are typically only removed with disease of stage II or greater.<ref name=bmj/> The topic of lymphadenectomy and what survival benefit it offers in stage I disease is still being debated.<ref name=Colombo/> In women with presumed stage I disease, a 2017 systematic review found no evidence that lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of death or relapse of cancer when compared with no lymphadenectomy.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Frost JA, Webster KE, Bryant A, Morrison J | title = Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2017 | issue = 10 | pages = CD007585 | date = October 2017 | pmid = 28968482 | pmc = 6485923 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd007585.pub4 }}</ref> Women who undergo lymphadenectomy are more likely to experience systemic morbidity related to surgery or lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation.<ref name=":1" /> In stage III and IV cancers, [[cytoreductive surgery]] is the norm,<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> and a biopsy of the [[Greater omentum|omentum]] may also be included.<ref name=Cochrane0912/> In stage IV disease, where there are distant metastases, surgery can be used as part of palliative therapy.<ref name=Colombo/> [[Laparotomy]], an open-abdomen procedure, is the traditional surgical procedure; however, in those with presumed early stage primary endometrial cancer, [[laparoscopy]] (keyhole surgery) is associated with reduced operative morbidity and similar overall and disease free survival.<ref name=Cochrane0912>{{cite journal | vauthors = Galaal K, Donkers H, Bryant A, Lopes AD | title = Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2018 | issue = 10 | pages = CD006655 | date = October 2018 | pmid = 30379327 | pmc = 6517108 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD006655.pub3 }}</ref> [[Abdominal hysterectomy|Removal of the uterus via the abdomen]] is recommended over [[vaginal hysterectomy|removal of the uterus via the vagina]] because it gives the opportunity to examine and obtain [[peritoneal washing|washings]] of the abdominal cavity to detect any further evidence of cancer. Staging of the cancer is done during the surgery.<ref name=Hoffman829>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=829 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> |
||
The few contraindications to surgery include inoperable tumor, massive obesity, a particularly high-risk operation, or a desire to preserve fertility.<ref name=Hoffman829/> These contraindications happen in about 5–10% of cases.<ref name=Colombo/> Women who wish to preserve their fertility and have low-grade stage I cancer can be treated with progestins, with or without concurrent tamoxifen therapy. This therapy can be continued until the cancer does not respond to treatment or until childbearing is done.<ref name=Hoffman833>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=833 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> [[Uterine perforation]] may occur during a D&C or an endometrial biopsy.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn35>{{cite book | vauthors = McGee J, Covens A |year=2013 |chapter=Gestational Trophoblastic Disease |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> Side effects of surgery to remove endometrial cancer can specifically include sexual dysfunction, temporary incontinence, and [[lymphedema]], along with more common side effects of any surgery, including [[constipation]].<ref name=NCIBooklet/> |
The few contraindications to surgery include inoperable tumor, massive obesity, a particularly high-risk operation, or a desire to preserve fertility.<ref name=Hoffman829/> These contraindications happen in about 5–10% of cases.<ref name=Colombo/> Women who wish to preserve their fertility and have low-grade stage I cancer can be treated with progestins, with or without concurrent tamoxifen therapy. This therapy can be continued until the cancer does not respond to treatment or until childbearing is done.<ref name=Hoffman833>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=833 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> [[Uterine perforation]] may occur during a D&C or an endometrial biopsy.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn35>{{cite book | vauthors = McGee J, Covens A |year=2013 |chapter=Gestational Trophoblastic Disease |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> Side effects of surgery to remove endometrial cancer can specifically include sexual dysfunction, temporary incontinence, and [[lymphedema]], along with more common side effects of any surgery, including [[constipation]].<ref name=NCIBooklet/> |
||
Line 348: | Line 341: | ||
====Chemotherapy==== |
====Chemotherapy==== |
||
[[Adjuvant chemotherapy]] is a recent innovation, consisting of some combination of [[paclitaxel]] (or other [[taxane]]s like [[docetaxel]]), [[doxorubicin]] (and other [[anthracyclines]]), and [[platins]] (particularly [[cisplatin]] and [[carboplatin]]). Adjuvant chemotherapy has been found to increase survival in stage III and IV cancer more than [[adjuvant radiotherapy|added radiotherapy]].<ref name="Cochrane05142"/><ref name=Colombo/><ref name="Cochrane08122"/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27>{{cite book | vauthors = Smith JA, Jhingran A |year=2013 |chapter=Principles of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> Mutations in mismatch repair genes, like those found in Lynch syndrome, can lead to resistance against platins, meaning that chemotherapy with platins is ineffective in people with these mutations.<ref name=Guillotin>{{cite journal | vauthors = Guillotin D, Martin SA | title = Exploiting DNA mismatch repair deficiency as a therapeutic strategy | journal = Experimental Cell Research | volume = 329 | issue = 1 | pages = |
[[Adjuvant chemotherapy]] is a recent innovation, consisting of some combination of [[paclitaxel]] (or other [[taxane]]s like [[docetaxel]]), [[doxorubicin]] (and other [[anthracyclines]]), and [[platins]] (particularly [[cisplatin]] and [[carboplatin]]). Adjuvant chemotherapy has been found to increase survival in stage III and IV cancer more than [[adjuvant radiotherapy|added radiotherapy]].<ref name="Cochrane05142"/><ref name=Colombo/><ref name="Cochrane08122"/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27>{{cite book | vauthors = Smith JA, Jhingran A |year=2013 |chapter=Principles of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> Mutations in mismatch repair genes, like those found in Lynch syndrome, can lead to resistance against platins, meaning that chemotherapy with platins is ineffective in people with these mutations.<ref name=Guillotin>{{cite journal | vauthors = Guillotin D, Martin SA | title = Exploiting DNA mismatch repair deficiency as a therapeutic strategy | journal = Experimental Cell Research | volume = 329 | issue = 1 | pages = 110–115 | date = November 2014 | pmid = 25017099 | doi = 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.07.004 }}</ref> Side effects of chemotherapy are common. These include [[alopecia|hair loss]], [[neutropenia|low neutrophil levels]] in the blood, and gastrointestinal problems.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> |
||
In cases where surgery is not indicated, [[palliative chemotherapy]] is an option; higher-dose chemotherapy is associated with longer survival.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/><ref name="Cochrane08122"/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> Palliative chemotherapy, particularly using [[capecitabine]] and [[gemcitabine]], is also often used to treat recurrent endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> |
In cases where surgery is not indicated, [[palliative chemotherapy]] is an option; higher-dose chemotherapy is associated with longer survival.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/><ref name="Cochrane08122"/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> Palliative chemotherapy, particularly using [[capecitabine]] and [[gemcitabine]], is also often used to treat recurrent endometrial cancer.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> |
||
Low certainty evidence suggests that in women with recurrent endometrial cancer who have had chemotherapy, receiving drugs that inhibit the mTOR pathway may reduce the risk of disease worsening compared to having more chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Though, mTOR inhibitors may increase the chance of experiencing digestive tract ulcers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Roncolato F, Lindemann K, Willson ML, Martyn J, Mileshkin L | title = PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 10 | pages = CD012160 | date = October 2019 | pmid = 31588998 | pmc = 6953296 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd012160.pub2 }}</ref> |
Low certainty evidence suggests that in women with recurrent endometrial cancer who have had chemotherapy, receiving drugs that inhibit the mTOR pathway may reduce the risk of disease worsening compared to having more chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Though, mTOR inhibitors may increase the chance of experiencing digestive tract ulcers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Roncolato F, Lindemann K, Willson ML, Martyn J, Mileshkin L | title = PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2019 | issue = 10 | pages = CD012160 | date = October 2019 | pmid = 31588998 | pmc = 6953296 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd012160.pub2 }}</ref> |
||
====Radiotherapy==== |
====Radiotherapy==== |
||
Line 360: | Line 353: | ||
====Hormonal therapy==== |
====Hormonal therapy==== |
||
Hormonal therapy is only beneficial in certain types of endometrial cancer. It was once thought to be beneficial in most cases.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name="Cochrane05142"/> If a tumor is well-differentiated and known to have progesterone and estrogen receptors, progestins may be used in treatment.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> There is no evidence to support the use of progestagen in addition to surgery for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Martin-Hirsch PP, Bryant A, Keep SL, Kitchener HC, Lilford R | title = Adjuvant progestagens for endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 6 | pages = CD001040 | date = June 2011 | pmid = 21678331 | pmc = 4238061 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd001040.pub2 }}</ref> About 25% of metastatic endometrioid cancers show a response to progestins. Also, endometrial stromal sarcomas can be treated with hormonal agents, including tamoxifen, [[hydroxyprogesterone caproate]], [[letrozole]], [[megestrol acetate]], and [[medroxyprogesterone]].<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> This treatment is effective in endometrial stromal sarcomas because they typically have [[estrogen receptor|estrogen]] and/or [[progestin receptor]]s. Progestin receptors function as [[tumor suppressor]]s in endometrial cancer cells.<ref name="PatelElguero2014">{{cite journal | vauthors = Patel B, Elguero S, Thakore S, Dahoud W, Bedaiwy M, Mesiano S | title = Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology | journal = Human Reproduction Update | volume = 21 | issue = 2 | pages = |
Hormonal therapy is only beneficial in certain types of endometrial cancer. It was once thought to be beneficial in most cases.<ref name=Cochrane0412/><ref name="Cochrane05142"/> If a tumor is well-differentiated and known to have progesterone and estrogen receptors, progestins may be used in treatment.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn27/> There is no evidence to support the use of progestagen in addition to surgery for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Martin-Hirsch PP, Bryant A, Keep SL, Kitchener HC, Lilford R | title = Adjuvant progestagens for endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 6 | pages = CD001040 | date = June 2011 | volume = 2015 | pmid = 21678331 | pmc = 4238061 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd001040.pub2 }}</ref> About 25% of metastatic endometrioid cancers show a response to progestins. Also, endometrial stromal sarcomas can be treated with hormonal agents, including tamoxifen, [[hydroxyprogesterone caproate]], [[letrozole]], [[megestrol acetate]], and [[medroxyprogesterone]].<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> This treatment is effective in endometrial stromal sarcomas because they typically have [[estrogen receptor|estrogen]] and/or [[progestin receptor]]s. Progestin receptors function as [[tumor suppressor]]s in endometrial cancer cells.<ref name="PatelElguero2014">{{cite journal | vauthors = Patel B, Elguero S, Thakore S, Dahoud W, Bedaiwy M, Mesiano S | title = Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology | journal = Human Reproduction Update | volume = 21 | issue = 2 | pages = 155–173 | year = 2014 | pmid = 25406186 | pmc = 4366574 | doi = 10.1093/humupd/dmu056 }}</ref> Preliminary research and clinical trials have shown these treatments to have a high rate of response even in metastatic disease.<ref name=Sylvestre/> |
||
In 2010 hormonal therapy is of unclear effect in those with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kokka F, Brockbank E, Oram D, Gallagher C, Bryant A | title = Hormonal therapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 12 | pages = CD007926 | date = December 2010 | pmid = 21154390 | pmc = 4164823 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd007926.pub2 }}</ref> There is insufficient evidence to inform women considering hormone replacement therapy after treatment for endometrial cancer.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=March 2006|title=Endometrial cancer risk was lower in women who used continuous combined HRT than in non-users |journal=Evidence-based Obstetrics & Gynecology|volume=8|issue=1–2|pages=68–69|doi=10.1016/j.ebobgyn.2006.01.011|issn=1361-259X}}</ref> |
In 2010 hormonal therapy is of unclear effect in those with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kokka F, Brockbank E, Oram D, Gallagher C, Bryant A | title = Hormonal therapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 12 | pages = CD007926 | date = December 2010 | volume = 2015 | pmid = 21154390 | pmc = 4164823 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd007926.pub2 }}</ref> There is insufficient evidence to inform women considering hormone replacement therapy after treatment for endometrial cancer.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=March 2006|title=Endometrial cancer risk was lower in women who used continuous combined HRT than in non-users |journal=Evidence-based Obstetrics & Gynecology|volume=8|issue=1–2|pages=68–69|doi=10.1016/j.ebobgyn.2006.01.011|issn=1361-259X}}</ref> |
||
==== Targeted therapy ==== |
==== Targeted therapy ==== |
||
{{See also|Targeted therapy}} |
{{See also|Targeted therapy}} |
||
[[Dostarlimab]] has been approved by the FDA for therapy of endometrial cancer with specific biomarker<ref name="fda">{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-immunotherapy-endometrial-cancer-specific-biomarker|title=FDA Approves Immunotherapy for Endometrial Cancer with Specific Biomarker|publisher=[[FDA]]| |
[[Dostarlimab]] has been approved by the FDA for therapy of endometrial cancer with specific biomarker<ref name="fda">{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-immunotherapy-endometrial-cancer-specific-biomarker|title=FDA Approves Immunotherapy for Endometrial Cancer with Specific Biomarker|date=22 April 2021|publisher=[[FDA]]|language=en}}</ref> |
||
===Monitoring=== |
===Monitoring=== |
||
Line 407: | Line 400: | ||
| 15% |
| 15% |
||
|} |
|} |
||
The five-year survival rate for endometrial adenocarcinoma following appropriate treatment is 80%.<ref name="Follow">{{cite journal | vauthors = Nicolaije KA, Ezendam NP, Vos MC, Boll D, Pijnenborg JM, Kruitwagen RF, Lybeert ML, van de Poll-Franse LV | title = Follow-up practice in endometrial cancer and the association with patient and hospital characteristics: a study from the population-based PROFILES registry | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 129 | issue = 2 | pages = |
The five-year survival rate for endometrial adenocarcinoma following appropriate treatment is 80%.<ref name="Follow">{{cite journal | vauthors = Nicolaije KA, Ezendam NP, Vos MC, Boll D, Pijnenborg JM, Kruitwagen RF, Lybeert ML, van de Poll-Franse LV | display-authors = 6 | title = Follow-up practice in endometrial cancer and the association with patient and hospital characteristics: a study from the population-based PROFILES registry | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 129 | issue = 2 | pages = 324–331 | date = May 2013 | pmid = 23435365 | doi = 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.02.018 }}</ref> More than 70% of women diagnosed have FIGO stage I cancer, which has the best prognosis. Stage III and especially Stage IV cancers has a worse prognosis, but these are relatively rare, occurring in only 13% of cases. The median survival time for stage III–IV endometrial cancer is nine to ten months.<ref name=Cochrane0214>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ang C, Bryant A, Barton DP, Pomel C, Naik R | title = Exenterative surgery for recurrent gynaecological malignancies | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2014 | issue = 2 | pages = CD010449 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 24497188 | pmc = 6457731 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD010449.pub2 }}</ref> Older age indicates a worse prognosis.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> In the United States, white women have a higher survival rate than black women, who tend to develop more aggressive forms of the disease by the time of their diagnosis.<ref name="ComprehensiveGyn322">{{cite book | vauthors = Soliman PT, Lu KH |year = 2013|chapter = Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus | veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title = Comprehensive Gynecology|edition = 6th|isbn = 978-0-323-06986-1|publisher = [[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> Tumors with high [[progesterone receptor]] expression have a good prognosis compared to tumors with low progesterone receptor expression; 93% of women with high progesterone receptor disease survived to three years, compared with 36% of women with low progesterone receptor disease.<ref name=NCI2014Pro/> [[Heart disease]] is the most common cause of death among those who survive endometrial cancer,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ward KK, Shah NR, Saenz CC, McHale MT, Alvarez EA, Plaxe SC | title = Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among endometrial cancer patients | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 126 | issue = 2 | pages = 176–179 | date = August 2012 | pmid = 22507532 | doi = 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.04.013 }}</ref> with other obesity-related health problems also being common.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fader AN, Arriba LN, Frasure HE, von Gruenigen VE | title = Endometrial cancer and obesity: epidemiology, biomarkers, prevention and survivorship | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 114 | issue = 1 | pages = 121–127 | date = July 2009 | pmid = 19406460 | doi = 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.03.039 }}</ref> Following diagnosis, quality of life is also positively associated with a healthy lifestyle (no obesity, high-quality diet, physical activity).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Koutoukidis DA, Knobf MT, Lanceley A | title = Obesity, diet, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors | journal = Nutrition Reviews | volume = 73 | issue = 6 | pages = 399–408 | date = June 2015 | pmid = 26011914 | pmc = 4477700 | doi = 10.1093/nutrit/nuu063 }}</ref> |
||
===Recurrence rates=== |
===Recurrence rates=== |
||
{{Main|Cancer recurrence}} |
|||
Recurrence of early stage endometrial cancer ranges from 3 to 17%, depending on primary and adjuvant treatment.<ref name="Follow"/> Most recurrences (75–80%) occur outside of the pelvis, and most occur two to three years |
Recurrence of early stage endometrial cancer ranges from 3 to 17%, depending on primary and adjuvant treatment.<ref name="Follow"/> Most recurrences (75–80%) occur outside of the pelvis, and most occur within two to three years of treatment—64% within two years and 87% within three years.<ref name=Kurra/> |
||
Higher-staged cancers are more likely to recur, as are those that have invaded the myometrium or cervix, or that have metastasized into the lymphatic system. [[Papillary serous carcinoma]], [[uterine clear-cell carcinoma|clear cell carcinoma]], and [[endometrioid carcinoma]] are the subtypes at the highest risk of recurrence.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> High-grade histological subtypes are also at elevated risk for recurrence.<ref name=bmj/> |
Higher-staged cancers are more likely to recur, as are those that have invaded the myometrium or cervix, or that have metastasized into the lymphatic system. [[Papillary serous carcinoma]], [[uterine clear-cell carcinoma|clear cell carcinoma]], and [[endometrioid carcinoma]] are the subtypes at the highest risk of recurrence.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> High-grade histological subtypes are also at elevated risk for recurrence.<ref name=bmj/> |
||
The most common site of recurrence is in the [[vagina]];<ref name=Cochrane0412/> vaginal relapses of endometrial cancer have the best prognosis. If relapse occurs from a cancer that has not been treated with radiation, EBRT is the first-line treatment and is often successful. If a cancer treated with radiation recurs, [[pelvic exenteration]] is the only option for curative treatment. Palliative chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery, and radiation are also performed.<ref name=Hoffman834>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=834 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Radiation therapy (VBT and EBRT) for a local vaginal recurrence has a 50% five-year survival rate. Pelvic recurrences are treated with surgery and radiation, and abdominal recurrences are treated with radiation and, if possible, chemotherapy.<ref name=Colombo/> Other common recurrence sites are the pelvic lymph nodes, para-aortic lymph nodes, peritoneum (28% of recurrences), and lungs, though recurrences can also occur in the brain (<1%), liver (7%), adrenal glands (1%), bones (4–7%; typically the [[axial skeleton]]), lymph nodes outside the abdomen (0.4–1%), spleen, and muscle/soft tissue (2–6%).<ref name=Kurra>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kurra V, Krajewski KM, Jagannathan J, Giardino A, Berlin S, Ramaiya N | title = Typical and atypical metastatic sites of recurrent endometrial carcinoma | journal = Cancer Imaging | volume = 13 | pages = |
The most common site of recurrence is in the [[vagina]];<ref name=Cochrane0412/> vaginal relapses of endometrial cancer have the best prognosis. If relapse occurs from a cancer that has not been treated with radiation, EBRT is the first-line treatment and is often successful. If a cancer treated with radiation recurs, [[pelvic exenteration]] is the only option for curative treatment. Palliative chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery, and radiation are also performed.<ref name=Hoffman834>{{cite book | veditors = Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG |year=2012 |chapter=Endometrial Cancer |chapter-url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |title=Williams Gynecology |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |isbn=978-0-07-171672-7 |pages=834 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204142/http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=56712550 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Radiation therapy (VBT and EBRT) for a local vaginal recurrence has a 50% five-year survival rate. Pelvic recurrences are treated with surgery and radiation, and abdominal recurrences are treated with radiation and, if possible, chemotherapy.<ref name=Colombo/> Other common recurrence sites are the pelvic lymph nodes, para-aortic lymph nodes, peritoneum (28% of recurrences), and lungs, though recurrences can also occur in the brain (<1%), liver (7%), adrenal glands (1%), bones (4–7%; typically the [[axial skeleton]]), lymph nodes outside the abdomen (0.4–1%), spleen, and muscle/soft tissue (2–6%).<ref name=Kurra>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kurra V, Krajewski KM, Jagannathan J, Giardino A, Berlin S, Ramaiya N | title = Typical and atypical metastatic sites of recurrent endometrial carcinoma | journal = Cancer Imaging | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 113–122 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23545091 | pmc = 3613792 | doi = 10.1102/1470-7330.2013.0011 }}</ref> |
||
==Epidemiology== |
==Epidemiology== |
||
{{As of|2014}}, approximately 320,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer worldwide each year and 76,000 die, making it the sixth most common cancer in women.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> It is more common in developed countries, where the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in women is 1.6%, compared to 0.6% in developing countries.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> It [[Incidence (epidemiology)|occurs]] in 12.9 out of 100,000 women annually in developed countries.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> |
{{As of|2014}}, approximately 320,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer worldwide each year and 76,000 die, making it the sixth most common cancer in women.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> It is more common in developed countries, where the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in women is 1.6%, compared to 0.6% in developing countries.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> It [[Incidence (epidemiology)|occurs]] in 12.9 out of 100,000 women annually in developed countries.<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> |
||
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecologic cancer and, in women, the fourth most [[prevalence|common]] cancer overall,<ref name=Hoffman817/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32>{{cite book | vauthors = Soliman PT, Lu KH |year=2013 |chapter=Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> representing 6% of all cancer cases in women.<ref name=PDQ-info>{{cite web |url = http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional |title = General Information about Endometrial Cancer |date = 23 April 2014 |publisher = NIH |work = Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ) |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140620084037/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/healthprofessional/ |archive-date = 20 June 2014 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> In that country, {{As of|2014|lc=on}} it was estimated that 52,630 women were diagnosed yearly and 8,590 would die from the disease.<ref name=Burke1>{{cite journal | vauthors = Burke WM, Orr J, Leitao M, Salom E, Gehrig P, Olawaiye AB, Brewer M, Boruta D |
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecologic cancer and, in women, the fourth most [[prevalence|common]] cancer overall,<ref name=Hoffman817/><ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32>{{cite book | vauthors = Soliman PT, Lu KH |year=2013 |chapter=Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus |veditors = Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL |title=Comprehensive Gynecology |edition=6th |isbn=978-0-323-06986-1 |publisher=[[Mosby (publisher)|Mosby]]}}</ref> representing 6% of all cancer cases in women.<ref name=PDQ-info>{{cite web |url = http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/HealthProfessional |title = General Information about Endometrial Cancer |date = 23 April 2014 |publisher = NIH |work = Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ) |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140620084037/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/healthprofessional/ |archive-date = 20 June 2014 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> In that country, {{As of|2014|lc=on}} it was estimated that 52,630 women were diagnosed yearly and 8,590 would die from the disease.<ref name=Burke1>{{cite journal | vauthors = Burke WM, Orr J, Leitao M, Salom E, Gehrig P, Olawaiye AB, Brewer M, Boruta D, Villella J, Herzog T, Abu Shahin F | display-authors = 6 | title = Endometrial cancer: a review and current management strategies: part I | journal = Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 134 | issue = 2 | pages = 385–392 | date = August 2014 | pmid = 24905773 | doi = 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.05.018 }}</ref> Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and North America have the highest rates of endometrial cancer, whereas Africa and West Asia have the lowest rates. Asia saw 41% of the world's endometrial cancer diagnoses in 2012, whereas Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and North America together comprised 48% of diagnoses.<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> Unlike most cancers, the number of new cases has risen in recent years, including an increase of over 40% in the United Kingdom between 1993 and 2013.<ref name="Cochrane05142"/> Some of this rise may be due to the increase in obesity rates in developed countries,<ref name="Cochrane08122"/> increasing life expectancies, and lower birth rates.<ref name=Hoffman817/> The average lifetime risk for endometrial cancer is approximately 2–3% in people with uteruses.<ref name=Ma/> In the UK, approximately 7,400 cases are diagnosed annually, and in the EU, approximately 88,000.<ref name=Colombo>{{cite journal | vauthors = Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C, Sessa C | title = Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 24 | issue = Suppl 6 | pages = vi33–vi38 | date = October 2013 | pmid = 24078661 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdt353 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
||
Endometrial cancer appears most frequently during [[perimenopause]] (the period just before, just after, and during menopause), between the ages of 50 and 65;<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> overall, 75% of endometrial cancer occurs after menopause.<ref name="Cochrane0412"/> Women younger than 40 make up 5% of endometrial cancer cases and 10–15% of cases occur in women under 50 years of age. This age group is at risk for developing ovarian cancer at the same time.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> The worldwide [[median]] age of diagnosis is 63 years of age;<ref name=Colombo/> in the United States, the [[average]] age of diagnosis is 60 years of age. White American women are at higher risk for endometrial cancer than black American women, with a 2.88% and 1.69% lifetime risk respectively.<ref name=Burke1/> Japanese-American women and American Latina women have a lower rates and Native Hawaiian women have higher rates.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> |
Endometrial cancer appears most frequently during [[perimenopause]] (the period just before, just after, and during menopause), between the ages of 50 and 65;<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> overall, 75% of endometrial cancer occurs after menopause.<ref name="Cochrane0412"/> Women younger than 40 make up 5% of endometrial cancer cases and 10–15% of cases occur in women under 50 years of age. This age group is at risk for developing ovarian cancer at the same time.<ref name=ComprehensiveGyn32/> The worldwide [[median]] age of diagnosis is 63 years of age;<ref name=Colombo/> in the United States, the [[average]] age of diagnosis is 60 years of age. White American women are at higher risk for endometrial cancer than black American women, with a 2.88% and 1.69% lifetime risk respectively.<ref name=Burke1/> Japanese-American women and American Latina women have a lower rates and Native Hawaiian women have higher rates.<ref name=NIH-Prevention/> |
||
Line 428: | Line 422: | ||
<!--genetic research--> |
<!--genetic research--> |
||
Cancers can be analyzed using genetic techniques (including [[DNA sequencing]] and [[immunohistochemistry]]) to determine if certain therapies specific to mutated genes can be used to treat it. [[PARP inhibitor]]s are used to treat endometrial cancer with PTEN mutations,<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> specifically, mutations that lower the expression of PTEN. The PARP inhibitor shown to be active against endometrial cancer is [[olaparib]]. Research is ongoing in this area as of the 2010s.<ref name=Reinbolt>{{cite journal | vauthors = Reinbolt RE, Hays JL | title = The Role of PARP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies | journal = Frontiers in Oncology | volume = 3 | pages = 237 | date = October 2013 | pmid = 24098868 | pmc = 3787651 | doi = 10.3389/fonc.2013.00237 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lee JM, Ledermann JA, Kohn EC | title = PARP Inhibitors for BRCA1/2 mutation-associated and BRCA-like malignancies | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 25 | issue = 1 | pages = 32–40 | date = January 2014 | pmid = 24225019 | pmc = 3868320 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdt384 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Banerjee S, Kaye S | title = PARP inhibitors in BRCA gene-mutated ovarian cancer and beyond | journal = Current Oncology Reports | volume = 13 | issue = 6 | pages = |
Cancers can be analyzed using genetic techniques (including [[DNA sequencing]] and [[immunohistochemistry]]) to determine if certain therapies specific to mutated genes can be used to treat it. [[PARP inhibitor]]s are used to treat endometrial cancer with PTEN mutations,<ref name="WCR2014Epi"/> specifically, mutations that lower the expression of PTEN. The PARP inhibitor shown to be active against endometrial cancer is [[olaparib]]. Research is ongoing in this area as of the 2010s.<ref name=Reinbolt>{{cite journal | vauthors = Reinbolt RE, Hays JL | title = The Role of PARP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies | journal = Frontiers in Oncology | volume = 3 | pages = 237 | date = October 2013 | pmid = 24098868 | pmc = 3787651 | doi = 10.3389/fonc.2013.00237 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lee JM, Ledermann JA, Kohn EC | title = PARP Inhibitors for BRCA1/2 mutation-associated and BRCA-like malignancies | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 25 | issue = 1 | pages = 32–40 | date = January 2014 | pmid = 24225019 | pmc = 3868320 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdt384 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Banerjee S, Kaye S | title = PARP inhibitors in BRCA gene-mutated ovarian cancer and beyond | journal = Current Oncology Reports | volume = 13 | issue = 6 | pages = 442–449 | date = December 2011 | pmid = 21913063 | doi = 10.1007/s11912-011-0193-9 | s2cid = 3079985 }}</ref> |
||
<!--metformin--> |
<!--metformin--> |
||
Research is ongoing on the use of [[metformin]], a diabetes medication, in obese women with endometrial cancer before surgery. Early research has shown it to be effective in slowing the rate of cancer cell proliferation.<ref name=Sivalingam/><ref name=Suh>{{cite journal | vauthors = Suh DH, Kim JW, Kang S, Kim HJ, Lee KH | title = Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2013 | journal = Journal of Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 25 | issue = 3 | pages = |
Research is ongoing on the use of [[metformin]], a diabetes medication, in obese women with endometrial cancer before surgery. Early research has shown it to be effective in slowing the rate of cancer cell proliferation.<ref name=Sivalingam/><ref name=Suh>{{cite journal | vauthors = Suh DH, Kim JW, Kang S, Kim HJ, Lee KH | title = Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2013 | journal = Journal of Gynecologic Oncology | volume = 25 | issue = 3 | pages = 236–248 | date = July 2014 | pmid = 25045437 | pmc = 4102743 | doi = 10.3802/jgo.2014.25.3.236 }}</ref> Preliminary research has shown that preoperative metformin administration can reduce expression of tumor markers. Long-term use of metformin has not been shown to have a preventative effect against developing cancer, but may improve overall survival.<ref name=Sivalingam>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sivalingam VN, Myers J, Nicholas S, Balen AH, Crosbie EJ | title = Metformin in reproductive health, pregnancy and gynaecological cancer: established and emerging indications | journal = Human Reproduction Update | volume = 20 | issue = 6 | pages = 853–868 | year = 2014 | pmid = 25013215 | doi = 10.1093/humupd/dmu037 | doi-access = free }}</ref> |
||
<!--chemo--> |
<!--chemo--> |
||
Line 437: | Line 431: | ||
<!-- hormonal research --> |
<!-- hormonal research --> |
||
There is also research in progress on more genes and [[biomarker]]s that may be linked to endometrial cancer. The protective effect of combined oral contraceptives and the IUD is being investigated. Preliminary research has shown that the [[levonorgestrel]] IUD placed for a year, combined with |
There is also research in progress on more genes and [[biomarker]]s that may be linked to endometrial cancer. The protective effect of combined oral contraceptives and the IUD is being investigated. Preliminary research has shown that the [[levonorgestrel]] IUD placed for a year, combined with six monthly injections of [[gonadotropin-releasing hormone]], can stop or reverse the progress of endometrial cancer in young women; specifically complex atypical hyperplasia however the results have been inconclusive.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Minig L, Franchi D, Boveri S, Casadio C, Bocciolone L, Sideri M | title = Progestin intrauterine device and GnRH analogue for uterus-sparing treatment of endometrial precancers and well-differentiated early endometrial carcinoma in young women | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 22 | issue = 3 | pages = 643–649 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 20876910 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdq463 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid29215513">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pal N, Broaddus RR, Urbauer DL, Balakrishnan N, Milbourne A, Schmeler KM, Meyer LA, Soliman PT, Lu KH, Ramirez PT, Ramondetta L, Bodurka DC, Westin SN | display-authors = 6 | title = Treatment of Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer and Complex Atypical Hyperplasia With the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine Device | journal = Obstetrics and Gynecology | volume = 131 | issue = 1 | pages = 109–116 | date = January 2018 | pmid = 29215513 | pmc = 5739955 | doi = 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002390 }}</ref> An experimental drug that combines a hormone with doxorubicin is also under investigation for greater efficacy in cancers with hormone receptors. Hormone therapy that is effective in treating breast cancer, including use of [[aromatase inhibitor]]s, is also being investigated for use in endometrial cancer. One such drug is [[anastrozole]], which is currently being researched in hormone-positive recurrences after chemotherapy.<ref name=CRUKresearch>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/womb-cancer/treatment/whats-new-in-womb-cancer-research |title=Womb cancer research |publisher=Cancer Research UK |work=CancerHelp UK |access-date=31 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822122213/http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/womb-cancer/treatment/whats-new-in-womb-cancer-research |archive-date=22 August 2014 }}</ref> Research into hormonal treatments for endometrial stromal sarcomas is ongoing as well. It includes trials of drugs like [[mifepristone]], a progestin antagonist, and [[aminoglutethimide]] and letrozole, two aromatase inhibitors.<ref name=Sylvestre/> |
||
<!-- other adjuvant research --> |
<!-- other adjuvant research --> |
||
Research continues into the best imaging method for detecting and staging endometrial cancer. In surgery, research has shown that complete pelvic lymphadenectomy along with hysterectomy in stage 1 endometrial cancer does not improve survival and increases the risk of negative side effects, including lymphedema. Other research is exploring the potential of identifying the [[sentinel lymph node]]s for biopsy by injecting the tumor with dye that shines under [[infrared]] light. [[Intensity modulated radiation therapy]] is currently under investigation, and already used in some centers, for application in endometrial cancer, to reduce side effects from traditional radiotherapy. Its risk of recurrence has not yet been quantified. Research on [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] to reduce side effects is also ongoing. The results of the PORTEC 3 trial assessing combining adjuvant radiotherapy with chemotherapy were awaited in late 2014.<ref name=CRUKresearch/> |
Research continues into the best imaging method for detecting and staging endometrial cancer. As current diagnostic methods are invasive and inaccurate, researchers are looking into new ways to catch endometrial cancer, especially in its early stages. A study found that using a technique involving [[Infrared|infrared light]] on simple blood test samples detected uterine cancer with high accuracy (87%), and could detect [[Precancerous condition|precancerous growths]] in all cases.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2020-11-12 |title=Womb cancer could be detected early with an inexpensive new blood test |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/womb-cancer-could-be-detected-early-with-an-inexpensive-new-blood-test/ |journal=NIHR Evidence |type=Plain English summary |language=en |doi=10.3310/alert_42575|s2cid=241679195 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Paraskevaidi M, Morais CL, Ashton KM, Stringfellow HF, McVey RJ, Ryan NA, O'Flynn H, Sivalingam VN, Kitson SJ, MacKintosh ML, Derbyshire AE, Pow C, Raglan O, Lima KM, Kyrgiou M, Martin-Hirsch PL, Martin FL, Crosbie EJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Detecting Endometrial Cancer by Blood Spectroscopy: A Diagnostic Cross-Sectional Study | journal = Cancers | volume = 12 | issue = 5 | pages = 1256 | date = May 2020 | pmid = 32429365 | pmc = 7281323 | doi = 10.3390/cancers12051256 | doi-access = free }}</ref> In surgery, research has shown that complete pelvic lymphadenectomy along with hysterectomy in stage 1 endometrial cancer does not improve survival and increases the risk of negative side effects, including lymphedema. Other research is exploring the potential of identifying the [[sentinel lymph node]]s for biopsy by injecting the tumor with dye that shines under [[infrared]] light. [[Intensity modulated radiation therapy]] is currently under investigation, and already used in some centers, for application in endometrial cancer, to reduce side effects from traditional radiotherapy. Its risk of recurrence has not yet been quantified. Research on [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] to reduce side effects is also ongoing. The results of the PORTEC 3 trial assessing combining adjuvant radiotherapy with chemotherapy were awaited in late 2014.<ref name=CRUKresearch/> |
||
There is not enough evidence to determine if people with endometrial cancer benefit from additional behavioural and life style interventions that are aimed at losing excess weight.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = |
There is not enough evidence to determine if people with endometrial cancer benefit from additional behavioural and life style interventions that are aimed at losing excess weight.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Agnew H, Kitson S, Crosbie EJ | title = Interventions for weight reduction in obesity to improve survival in women with endometrial cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2023 | issue = 3 | pages = CD012513 | date = March 2023 | pmid = 36971688 | pmc = 10052369 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD012513.pub3 }}</ref> |
||
==History and culture== |
==History and culture== |
||
Endometrial cancer is not widely known by the general populace, despite its frequency. There is low awareness of the symptoms, which can lead to later diagnosis and worse survival.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/21/womb-cancer-fourth-most-common-women |title = Womb cancer: the most common diagnosis you've never heard of |newspaper = The Guardian |access-date = 29 September 2014 |date = 21 September 2014 | |
Endometrial cancer is not widely known by the general populace, despite its frequency. There is low awareness of the symptoms, which can lead to later diagnosis and worse survival.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/21/womb-cancer-fourth-most-common-women |title = Womb cancer: the most common diagnosis you've never heard of |newspaper = The Guardian |access-date = 29 September 2014 |date = 21 September 2014 | vauthors = Carlisle D |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140922030308/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/21/womb-cancer-fourth-most-common-women |archive-date = 22 September 2014 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Line 452: | Line 446: | ||
== External links == |
== External links == |
||
{{Medical resources |
{{Medical resources |
||
| DiseasesDB = 4252 |
| DiseasesDB = 4252 |
||
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|C|54|1|c|51}} |
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|C|54|1|c|51}} |
||
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|182.0}} |
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|182.0}} |
||
| ICDO = |
| ICDO = |
||
| OMIM = 608089 |
| OMIM = 608089 |
||
| MedlinePlus = 000910 |
| MedlinePlus = 000910 |
||
| eMedicineSubj = med |
| eMedicineSubj = med |
||
| eMedicineTopic = 674 |
| eMedicineTopic = 674 |
||
| eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|radio|253}} |
| eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|radio|253}} |
||
| MeshID = D016889 |
| MeshID = D016889 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
{{Commons category|Endometrial cancer}} |
{{Commons category|Endometrial cancer}} |
||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091011041843/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=11 American Cancer Society's Detailed Guide: Endometrial Cancer] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091011041843/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=11 American Cancer Society's Detailed Guide: Endometrial Cancer] |
||
* [ |
* [https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine U.S. National Cancer Institute: Uterine cancer] |
||
* [ |
* [https://www.pathologyatlas.ro/endometrioid-carcinoma-endometrium-genital-pathology.php Anatomical pathology images] |
||
{{Urogenital neoplasia}} |
{{Urogenital neoplasia}} |
Latest revision as of 12:23, 31 July 2024
Endometrial cancer. | |
---|---|
Other names | Uterine cancer |
The location and development of endometrial cancer | |
Specialty | Oncology, gynecology |
Symptoms | Vaginal bleeding, pain with urination or sexual intercourse, pelvic pain[1] |
Usual onset | After menopause[2] |
Risk factors | Obesity, excessive estrogen exposure, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history[1][3] |
Diagnostic method | Endometrial biopsy[1] |
Treatment | Abdominal hysterectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy[4] |
Prognosis | Five-year survival rate ~80% (US)[5] |
Frequency | 3.8 million (total affected in 2015)[6] |
Deaths | 89,900 (2015)[7] |
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that arises from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus or womb).[1] It is the result of the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.[8] The first sign is most often vaginal bleeding not associated with a menstrual period.[1] Other symptoms include pain with urination, pain during sexual intercourse, or pelvic pain.[1] Endometrial cancer occurs most commonly after menopause.[2]
Approximately 40% of cases are related to obesity.[3] Endometrial cancer is also associated with excessive estrogen exposure, high blood pressure and diabetes.[1] Whereas taking estrogen alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, taking both estrogen and a progestogen in combination, as in most birth control pills, decreases the risk.[1][3] Between two and five percent of cases are related to genes inherited from the parents.[3] Endometrial cancer is sometimes called "uterine cancer", although it is distinct from other forms of cancer of the uterus such as cervical cancer, uterine sarcoma, and trophoblastic disease.[9] The most frequent type of endometrial cancer is endometrioid carcinoma, which accounts for more than 80% of cases.[3] Endometrial cancer is commonly diagnosed by endometrial biopsy or by taking samples during a procedure known as dilation and curettage.[1] A pap smear is not typically sufficient to show endometrial cancer.[4] Regular screening in those at normal risk is not called for.[10]
The leading treatment option for endometrial cancer is abdominal hysterectomy (the total removal by surgery of the uterus), together with removal of the Fallopian tubes and ovaries on both sides, called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.[4] In more advanced cases, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy may also be recommended.[4] If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, the outcome is favorable,[4] and the overall five-year survival rate in the United States is greater than 80%.[5]
In 2012, endometrial cancers newly occurred in 320,000 women and caused 76,000 deaths.[3] This makes it the third most common cause of death in cancers which only affect women, behind ovarian and cervical cancer.[3] It is more common in the developed world[3] and is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract in developed countries.[4] Rates of endometrial cancer have risen in a number of countries between the 1980s and 2010.[3] This is believed to be due to the increasing number of elderly people and increasing rates of obesity.[11]
Signs and symptoms
[edit]Vaginal bleeding or spotting in women after menopause occurs in 90% of endometrial cancer.[2][13][14] Bleeding is especially common with adenocarcinoma, occurring in two-thirds of all cases.[2][10] Abnormal menstrual cycles or extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding in women before menopause may also be a sign of endometrial cancer.[10]
Symptoms other than bleeding are not common. Other symptoms include thin white or clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women. More advanced disease shows more obvious symptoms or signs that can be detected on a physical examination. The uterus may become enlarged or the cancer may spread, causing lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping.[10] Painful sexual intercourse or painful or difficult urination are less common signs of endometrial cancer.[9] The uterus may also fill with pus (pyometrea).[15] Of women with these less common symptoms (vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pus), 10–15% have cancer.[16]
Risk factors
[edit]Risk factors for endometrial cancer include obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, breast cancer, use of tamoxifen, never having had a child, late menopause, high levels of estrogen, and increasing age.[15][16] Immigration studies (migration studies), which examine the change in cancer risk in populations moving between countries with different rates of cancer, show that there is some environmental component to endometrial cancer.[17] These environmental risk factors are not well characterized.[18] It is found that adiposity is associated with the earlier diagnosis of EC, particularly the endometrioid subtype.[19]
Hormones
[edit]Most of the risk factors for endometrial cancer involve high levels of estrogens. An estimated 40% of cases are thought to be related to obesity.[3] In obesity, the excess of adipose tissue increases conversion of androstenedione into estrone, an estrogen. Higher levels of estrone in the blood causes less or no ovulation, and exposes the endometrium continuously to high levels of estrogens.[11][20] Obesity also causes less estrogen to be removed from the blood.[20] Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which also causes irregular or no ovulation, is associated with higher rates of endometrial cancer for the same reasons as obesity.[17] Specifically, obesity, type II diabetes, and insulin resistance are risk factors for Type I endometrial cancer.[21] Obesity increases the risk for endometrial cancer by 300–400%.[22]
Estrogen replacement therapy during menopause when not balanced (or "opposed") with progestin is another risk factor. Higher doses or longer periods of estrogen therapy have higher risks of endometrial cancer.[20] Women of lower weight are at greater risk from unopposed estrogen.[3] A longer period of fertility—either from an early first menstrual period or late menopause—is also a risk factor.[23] Unopposed estrogen raises an individual's risk of endometrial cancer by 2–10 fold, depending on weight and length of therapy.[3] In trans men who take testosterone and have not had a hysterectomy, the conversion of testosterone into estrogen via androstenedione may lead to a higher risk of endometrial cancer.[24] Higher circulating testosterone levels in women have also been identified as an independent endometrial cancer risk factor.[25][unreliable medical source]
Genetics
[edit]Genetic disorders can also cause endometrial cancer. Overall, hereditary causes contribute to 2–10% of endometrial cancer cases.[3][26] Lynch syndrome, an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that mainly causes colorectal cancer, also causes endometrial cancer, especially before menopause. Women with Lynch syndrome have a 40–60% risk of developing endometrial cancer, higher than their risk of developing colorectal (bowel) or ovarian cancer.[17] Ovarian and endometrial cancer develop simultaneously in 20% of people. Endometrial cancer nearly always develops before colon cancer, on average, 11 years before.[18] Carcinogenesis in Lynch syndrome comes from a mutation in MLH1 or MLH2: genes that participate in the process of mismatch repair, which allows a cell to correct mistakes in the DNA.[17] Other genes mutated in Lynch syndrome include MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, which are also mismatch repair genes. Women with Lynch syndrome represent 2–3% of endometrial cancer cases; some sources place this as high as 5%.[18][22] Depending on the gene mutation, women with Lynch syndrome have different risks of endometrial cancer. With MLH1 mutations, the risk is 54%; with MSH2, 21%; and with MSH6, 16%.[27]
Women with a family history of endometrial cancer are at higher risk.[9] Two genes most commonly associated with some other women's cancers, BRCA1 and BRCA2, do not cause endometrial cancer. There is an apparent link with these genes but it is attributable to the use of tamoxifen, a drug that itself can cause endometrial cancer, in breast and ovarian cancers.[17] The inherited genetic condition Cowden syndrome can also cause endometrial cancer. Women with this disorder have a 5–10% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer,[3] compared to the 2–3% risk for unaffected women.[18]
Common genetic variation has also been found to affect endometrial cancer risk in large-scale genome-wide association studies.[28][29] Sixteen genomic regions have been associated with endometrial cancer and the common variants explain up to 7% of the familial relative risk.[29]
Other health problems
[edit]Some therapies for other forms of cancer increase the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, which is a baseline 2–3%.[18] Tamoxifen, a drug used to treat estrogen-positive breast cancers, has been associated with endometrial cancer in approximately 0.1% of users, particularly older women, but the benefits for survival from tamoxifen generally outweigh the risk of endometrial cancer.[30] A one to two-year course of tamoxifen approximately doubles the risk of endometrial cancer, and a five-year course of therapy quadruples that risk.[23] Raloxifene, a similar drug, did not raise the risk of endometrial cancer.[31] Previously having ovarian cancer is a risk factor for endometrial cancer,[32] as is having had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. Specifically, ovarian granulosa cell tumors and thecomas are tumors associated with endometrial cancer.
Low immune function has also been implicated in endometrial cancer.[15] High blood pressure is also a risk factor,[22] but this may be because of its association with obesity.[27] Sitting regularly for prolonged periods is associated with higher mortality from endometrial cancer. The risk is not negated by regular exercise, though it is lowered.[33]
Protective factors
[edit]Smoking and the use of progestin are both protective against endometrial cancer. Smoking provides protection by altering the metabolism of estrogen and promoting weight loss and early menopause. This protective effect lasts long after smoking is stopped. Progestin is present in the combined oral contraceptive pill and the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD).[17][34] Combined oral contraceptives reduce risk more the longer they are taken: by 56% after four years, 67% after eight years, and 72% after twelve years. This risk reduction continues for at least fifteen years after contraceptive use has been stopped.[31] Obese women may need higher doses of progestin to be protected.[34] Having had more than five infants (grand multiparity) is also a protective factor,[15] and having at least one child reduces the risk by 35%. Breastfeeding for more than 18 months reduces risk by 23%. Increased physical activity reduces an individual's risk by 38–46%. There is preliminary evidence that consumption of soy is protective.[31] Mendelian randomization analyses have established potential protective factors such as LDL cholesterol, later age of menarche and sex hormone binding globulin.[35]
Pathophysiology
[edit]
|
Endometrial cancer forms when there are errors in normal endometrial cell growth. Usually, when cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Cancer starts when new cells form unneeded, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. These abnormal cancer cells have many genetic abnormalities that cause them to grow excessively.[9]
In 10–20% of endometrial cancers, mostly Grade 3 (the highest histologic grade), mutations are found in a tumor suppressor gene, commonly p53 or PTEN. In 20% of endometrial hyperplasias and 50% of endometrioid cancers, PTEN has a loss-of-function mutation or a null mutation, making it less effective or completely ineffective.[37] Loss of PTEN function leads to up-regulation of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway, which causes cell growth.[22] The p53 pathway can either be suppressed or highly activated in endometrial cancer. When a mutant version of p53 is overexpressed, the cancer tends to be particularly aggressive.[37] P53 mutations and chromosome instability are associated with serous carcinomas, which tend to resemble ovarian and Fallopian carcinomas. Serous carcinomas are thought to develop from endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma.[22]
PTEN and p27 loss of function mutations are associated with a good prognosis, particularly in obese women. The Her2/neu oncogene, which indicates a poor prognosis, is expressed in 20% of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. CTNNB1 (beta-catenin; a transcription gene) mutations are found in 14–44% of endometrial cancers and may indicate a good prognosis, but the data is unclear.[37] Beta-catenin mutations are commonly found in endometrial cancers with squamous cells.[22] FGFR2 mutations are found in approximately 10% of endometrial cancers, and their prognostic significance is unclear.[37] SPOP is another tumor suppressor gene found to be mutated in some cases of endometrial cancer: 9% of clear cell endometrial carcinomas and 8% of serous endometrial carcinomas have mutations in this gene.[39]
Type I and Type II cancers (explained below) tend to have different mutations involved. ARID1A, which often carries a point mutation in Type I endometrial cancer, is also mutated in 26% of clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium, and 18% of serous carcinomas. Epigenetic silencing and point mutations of several genes are commonly found in Type I endometrial cancer.[3][36] Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in Type II endometrial cancer.[3] PIK3CA is commonly mutated in both Type I and Type II cancers.[36] In women with Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, microsatellite instability is common.[22]
Development of an endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of endometrial cells) is a significant risk factor because hyperplasias can and often do develop into adenocarcinoma, though cancer can develop without the presence of a hyperplasia.[20] Within ten years, 8–30% of atypical endometrial hyperplasias develop into cancer, whereas 1–3% of non-atypical hyperplasias do so.[40] An atypical hyperplasia is one with visible abnormalities in the nuclei. Pre-cancerous endometrial hyperplasias are also referred to as endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia.[41] Mutations in the KRAS gene can cause endometrial hyperplasia and therefore Type I endometrial cancer.[37] Endometrial hyperplasia typically occurs after the age of 40.[9] Endometrial glandular dysplasia occurs with an overexpression of p53, and develops into a serous carcinoma.[15]
Diagnosis
[edit]Diagnosis of endometrial cancer is made first by a physical examination, endometrial biopsy, or dilation and curettage (removal of endometrial tissue; D&C). This tissue is then examined histologically for characteristics of cancer. If cancer is found, medical imaging may be done to see whether the cancer has spread or invaded tissues like the myometrium (the muscular wall of the womb) or the uterine cervix. A study from 2024 indicates that transvaginal ultrasound provides diagnostic performance comparable to magnetic resonance imaging regarding the myometrial infiltration assessment. However, magnetic resonance imaging showed significantly better specificity in low-grade endometrial cancer. [42]
Examination
[edit]Routine screening of asymptomatic people is not indicated since the disease is highly curable in its early, symptomatic stages. Instead, women, particularly menopausal women, should be aware of the symptoms and risk factors of endometrial cancer. A cervical screening test, such as a Pap smear, is not a useful diagnostic tool for endometrial cancer because the smear will be normal 50% of the time.[10] A Pap smear can detect disease that has spread to the cervix.[9] Results from a pelvic examination are frequently normal, especially in the early stages of disease. Changes in the size, shape or consistency of the uterus or its surrounding, supporting structures may exist when the disease is more advanced.[10] Cervical stenosis, the narrowing of the cervical opening, is a sign of endometrial cancer when pus or blood is found collected in the uterus (pyometra or hematometra).[13]
Women with Lynch syndrome should begin to have annual biopsy screening at the age of 35. Some women with Lynch syndrome elect to have a prophylactic hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy to greatly reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.[10]
Transvaginal ultrasound to examine the endometrial thickness in women with postmenopausal bleeding is increasingly being used to aid in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer in the United States.[43] In the United Kingdom, both an endometrial biopsy and a transvaginal ultrasound used in conjunction are the standard of care for diagnosing endometrial cancer.[15] The homogeneity of the tissue visible on transvaginal ultrasound can help to indicate whether the thickness is cancerous. Ultrasound findings alone are not conclusive in cases of endometrial cancer, so another screening method (for example endometrial biopsy) must be used in conjunction. Other imaging studies are of limited use. CT scans are used for preoperative imaging of tumors that appear advanced on physical exam or have a high-risk subtype (at high risk of metastasis).[44] They can also be used to investigate extrapelvic disease.[15] An MRI can be of some use in determining if the cancer has spread to the cervix or if it is an endocervical adenocarcinoma.[44] MRI is also useful for examining the nearby lymph nodes.[15]
Dilation and curettage or an endometrial biopsy are used to obtain a tissue sample for histological examination. Endometrial biopsy is the less invasive option, but it may not give conclusive results every time. Hysteroscopy only shows the gross anatomy of the endometrium, which is often not indicative of cancer, and is therefore not used, unless in conjunction with a biopsy.[44] Hysteroscopy can be used to confirm a diagnosis of cancer. New evidence shows that D&C has a higher false negative rate than endometrial biopsy.[22]
Before treatment is begun, several other investigations are recommended. These include a chest x-ray, liver function tests, kidney function tests,[22] and a test for levels of CA-125, a tumor marker that can be elevated in endometrial cancer.[9]
Classification
[edit]Endometrial cancers may be tumors derived from epithelial cells (carcinomas), mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumors (carcinosarcomas), or mesenchymal tumors.[45]
Traditional classification of endometrial carcinomas is based either on clinical and endocrine features (Type I and Type II), or histopathological characteristics (endometrioid, serous, and clear-cell). Some tumors are difficult to classify and have features overlapping more than one category. High grade endometrioid tumors, in particular, tend to have both type I and type II features.[45]
Carcinoma
[edit]The vast majority of endometrial cancers are carcinomas (usually adenocarcinomas), meaning that they originate from the single layer of epithelial cells that line the endometrium and form the endometrial glands. There are many microscopic subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, but they are broadly organized into two categories, Type I and Type II, based on clinical features and pathogenesis. The two subtypes are genetically distinct.[10]
Type I endometrial carcinomas occur most commonly before and around the time of menopause. In the United States, they are more common in white women, particularly those with a history of endometrial hyperplasia. Type I endometrial cancers are often low-grade, minimally invasive into the underlying uterine wall (myometrium), estrogen-dependent, and have a good outcome with treatment.[10] Type I carcinomas represent 75–90% of endometrial cancer.[15][47]
Type II endometrial carcinomas usually occur in older, post-menopausal people, in the United States are more common in black women, and are not associated with increased exposure to estrogen or a history of endometrial hyperplasia. Type II endometrial cancers are often high-grade, with deep invasion into the underlying uterine wall (myometrium), are of the serous or clear cell type, and carry a poorer prognosis. They can appear to be epithelial ovarian cancer on evaluation of symptoms.[10][47] They tend to present later than Type I tumors and are more aggressive, with a greater risk of relapse and/or metastasis.[15]
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma
[edit]In endometrioid adenocarcinoma, the cancer cells grow in patterns reminiscent of normal endometrium, with many new glands formed from columnar epithelium with some abnormal nuclei. Low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have well differentiated cells, have not invaded the myometrium, and are seen alongside endometrial hyperplasia. The tumor's glands form very close together, without the stromal tissue that normally separates them. Higher-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas have less well-differentiated cells, have more solid sheets of tumor cells no longer organized into glands, and are associated with an atrophied endometrium. There are several subtypes of endometrioid adenocarcinoma with similar prognoses, including villoglandular, secretory, and ciliated cell variants. There is also a subtype characterized by squamous differentiation. Some endometrioid adenocarcinomas have foci of mucinous carcinoma.[48]
The genetic mutations most commonly associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma are in the genes PTEN, a tumor suppressor; PIK3CA, a kinase; KRAS, a GTPase that functions in signal transduction; and CTNNB1, involved in adhesion and cell signaling. The CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) gene is most commonly mutated in the squamous subtype of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.[49]
Serous carcinoma
[edit]Serous carcinoma is a Type II endometrial tumor that makes up 5–10% of diagnosed endometrial cancer and is common in postmenopausal women with atrophied endometrium and black women. Serous endometrial carcinoma is aggressive and often invades the myometrium and metastasizes within the peritoneum (seen as omental caking) or the lymphatic system. Histologically, it appears with many atypical nuclei, papillary structures, and, in contrast to endometrioid adenocarcinomas, rounded cells instead of columnar cells. Roughly 30% of endometrial serous carcinomas also have psammoma bodies.[20][47] Serous carcinomas spread differently than most other endometrial cancers; they can spread outside the uterus without invading the myometrium.[20]
The genetic mutations seen in serous carcinoma are chromosomal instability and mutations in TP53, an important tumor suppressor gene.[49]
Clear cell carcinoma
[edit]Clear cell carcinoma is a Type II endometrial tumor that makes up less than 5% of diagnosed endometrial cancer. Like serous cell carcinoma, it is usually aggressive and carries a poor prognosis. Histologically, it is characterized by the features common to all clear cells: the eponymous clear cytoplasm when H&E stained and visible, distinct cell membranes.[47] The p53 cell signaling system is not active in endometrial clear cell carcinoma.[15] This form of endometrial cancer is more common in postmenopausal women.[20]
Mucinous carcinoma
[edit]Mucinous carcinomas are a rare form of endometrial cancer, making up less than 1–2% of all diagnosed endometrial cancer. Mucinous endometrial carcinomas are most often stage I and grade I, giving them a good prognosis. They typically have well-differentiated columnar cells organized into glands with the characteristic mucin in the cytoplasm. Mucinous carcinomas must be differentiated from cervical adenocarcinoma.[48]
Mixed or undifferentiated carcinoma
[edit]Mixed carcinomas are those that have both Type I and Type II cells, with one making up at least 10% of the tumor.[48] These include the malignant mixed Müllerian tumor, which derives from endometrial epithelium and has a poor prognosis.[50]
Undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas make up less than 1–2% of diagnosed endometrial cancers. They have a worse prognosis than grade III tumors. Histologically, these tumors show sheets of identical epithelial cells with no identifiable pattern.[48]
Other carcinomas
[edit]Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma are very rare in the endometrium. Squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium has a poor prognosis.[48] It has been reported fewer than 100 times in the medical literature since its characterization in 1892. For primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium (PSCCE) to be diagnosed, there must be no other primary cancer in the endometrium or cervix and it must not be connected to the cervical epithelium. Because of the rarity of this cancer, there are no guidelines for how it should be treated, nor any typical treatment. The common genetic causes remain uncharacterized.[51] Primary transitional cell carcinomas of the endometrium are even more rare; 16 cases had been reported as of 2008[update]. Its pathophysiology and treatments have not been characterized.[52] Histologically, TCCE resembles endometrioid carcinoma and is distinct from other transitional cell carcinomas.[53]
Sarcoma
[edit]In contrast to endometrial carcinomas, the uncommon endometrial stromal sarcomas are cancers that originate in the non-glandular connective tissue of the endometrium. They are generally non-aggressive and, if they recur, can take decades. Metastases to the lungs and pelvic or peritoneal cavities are the most frequent.[20] They typically have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.[54] The prognosis for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is good, with 60–90% five-year survival. High-grade undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (HGUS) has a worse prognosis, with high rates of recurrence and 25% five-year survival.[55] HGUS prognosis is dictated by whether or not the cancer has invaded the arteries and veins. Without vascular invasion, the five-year survival is 83%; it drops to 17% when vascular invasion is observed. Stage I ESS has the best prognosis, with five-year survival of 98% and ten-year survival of 89%. ESS makes up 0.2% of uterine cancers.[56]
Metastasis
[edit]Endometrial cancer frequently metastasizes to the ovaries and Fallopian tubes[32] when the cancer is located in the upper part of the uterus, and the cervix when the cancer is in the lower part of the uterus. The cancer usually first spreads into the myometrium and the serosa, then into other reproductive and pelvic structures. When the lymphatic system is involved, the pelvic and para-aortic nodes are usually first to become involved, but in no specific pattern, unlike cervical cancer. More distant metastases are spread by the blood and often occur in the lungs, as well as the liver, brain, and bone.[57] Endometrial cancer metastasizes to the lungs 20–25% of the time, more than any other gynecologic cancer.[58]
Histopathology
[edit]There is a three-tiered system for histologically classifying endometrial cancers, ranging from cancers with well-differentiated cells (grade I), to very poorly-differentiated cells (grade III).[23] Grade I cancers are the least aggressive and have the best prognosis, while grade III tumors are the most aggressive and likely to recur. Grade II cancers are intermediate between grades I and III in terms of cell differentiation and aggressiveness of disease.[59] There is also a separate "nuclear grade" system, where grade 1 tumors have inconspicuous cell nuclei, whereas grade 3 tumors have highly atypical nuclei.[60]
The histopathology of endometrial cancers is highly diverse. The most common finding is a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma,[50] which is composed of numerous, small, crowded glands with varying degrees of nuclear atypia, mitotic activity, and stratification. This often appears on a background of endometrial hyperplasia. Frank adenocarcinoma may be distinguished from atypical hyperplasia by the finding of clear stromal invasion, or "back-to-back" glands which represent nondestructive replacement of the endometrial stroma by the cancer. With progression of the disease, the myometrium is infiltrated.[61]
-
A stage III endometrioid adenocarcinoma that has invaded the myometrium
-
Metastatic endometrial cancer seen in a removed lung
-
Grade 1: ≤5% solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.[62]
-
Grade 2: >5% and ≤50% solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.[62]
-
Grade 3: >50% solid non-glandular, non-squamous growth.[62]
-
Nuclear grade 1: Oval, mildly enlarged nucleus with evenly distributed chromatin.[63]
-
Nuclear grade 2: Intermediate features.[63]
-
Nuclear grade 3: Markedly enlarged and pleomorphic nuclei, with coarse chromatin and distinct nucleoli.[63]
-
Squamous growth seen as necrotic “ghost cells” of keratinocytes at right in image, leaving pink keratin.
Staging
[edit]Endometrial carcinoma is surgically staged using the FIGO cancer staging system. The 2009 FIGO staging system is commonly used. There is an updated 2023 FIGO staging system, but it is not yet universally adopted.[64][65] The 2009 FIGO staging system is as follows:[66][67]
Stage | Description |
---|---|
IA | Tumor is confined to the uterus with less than half myometrial invasion |
IB | Tumor is confined to the uterus with more than half myometrial invasion |
II | Tumor involves the uterus and the cervical stroma |
IIIA | Tumor invades serosa or adnexa |
IIIB | Vaginal and/or parametrial involvement |
IIIC1 | Pelvic lymph node involvement |
IIIC2 | Para-aortic lymph node involvement, with or without pelvic node involvement |
IVA | Tumor invades bladder mucosa and/or bowel mucosa |
IVB | Distant metastases including abdominal metastases and/or inguinal lymph nodes |
Myometrial invasion and involvement of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes are the most commonly seen patterns of spread.[2] A Stage 0 is sometimes included, in this case it is referred to as "carcinoma in situ".[9] In 26% of presumably early-stage cancers, intraoperative staging revealed pelvic and distant metastases, making comprehensive surgical staging necessary.[27]
-
Stage IA and IB endometrial cancer
-
Stage II endometrial cancer
-
Stage III endometrial cancer
-
Stage IV endometrial cancer
Management
[edit]Surgery
[edit]The initial treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery; 90% of women with endometrial cancer are treated with some form of surgery.[23] Surgical treatment typically consists of hysterectomy including a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which is the removal of the uterus, and both ovaries and Fallopian tubes. Lymphadenectomy, or removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes, is performed for tumors of histologic grade II or above.[16] Lymphadenectomy is routinely performed for all stages of endometrial cancer in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, the lymph nodes are typically only removed with disease of stage II or greater.[15] The topic of lymphadenectomy and what survival benefit it offers in stage I disease is still being debated.[22] In women with presumed stage I disease, a 2017 systematic review found no evidence that lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of death or relapse of cancer when compared with no lymphadenectomy.[69] Women who undergo lymphadenectomy are more likely to experience systemic morbidity related to surgery or lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation.[69] In stage III and IV cancers, cytoreductive surgery is the norm,[16] and a biopsy of the omentum may also be included.[70] In stage IV disease, where there are distant metastases, surgery can be used as part of palliative therapy.[22] Laparotomy, an open-abdomen procedure, is the traditional surgical procedure; however, in those with presumed early stage primary endometrial cancer, laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) is associated with reduced operative morbidity and similar overall and disease free survival.[70] Removal of the uterus via the abdomen is recommended over removal of the uterus via the vagina because it gives the opportunity to examine and obtain washings of the abdominal cavity to detect any further evidence of cancer. Staging of the cancer is done during the surgery.[71]
The few contraindications to surgery include inoperable tumor, massive obesity, a particularly high-risk operation, or a desire to preserve fertility.[71] These contraindications happen in about 5–10% of cases.[22] Women who wish to preserve their fertility and have low-grade stage I cancer can be treated with progestins, with or without concurrent tamoxifen therapy. This therapy can be continued until the cancer does not respond to treatment or until childbearing is done.[72] Uterine perforation may occur during a D&C or an endometrial biopsy.[73] Side effects of surgery to remove endometrial cancer can specifically include sexual dysfunction, temporary incontinence, and lymphedema, along with more common side effects of any surgery, including constipation.[9]
Add-on therapy
[edit]There are a number of possible additional therapies. Surgery can be followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy in cases of high-risk or high-grade cancers. This is called adjuvant therapy.[16]
Chemotherapy
[edit]Adjuvant chemotherapy is a recent innovation, consisting of some combination of paclitaxel (or other taxanes like docetaxel), doxorubicin (and other anthracyclines), and platins (particularly cisplatin and carboplatin). Adjuvant chemotherapy has been found to increase survival in stage III and IV cancer more than added radiotherapy.[16][22][23][74] Mutations in mismatch repair genes, like those found in Lynch syndrome, can lead to resistance against platins, meaning that chemotherapy with platins is ineffective in people with these mutations.[75] Side effects of chemotherapy are common. These include hair loss, low neutrophil levels in the blood, and gastrointestinal problems.[16]
In cases where surgery is not indicated, palliative chemotherapy is an option; higher-dose chemotherapy is associated with longer survival.[16][23][74] Palliative chemotherapy, particularly using capecitabine and gemcitabine, is also often used to treat recurrent endometrial cancer.[74]
Low certainty evidence suggests that in women with recurrent endometrial cancer who have had chemotherapy, receiving drugs that inhibit the mTOR pathway may reduce the risk of disease worsening compared to having more chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Though, mTOR inhibitors may increase the chance of experiencing digestive tract ulcers.[76]
Radiotherapy
[edit]Adjuvant radiotherapy is commonly used in early-stage (stage I or II) endometrial cancer. It can be delivered through vaginal brachytherapy (VBT), which is becoming the preferred route due to its reduced toxicity, or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Brachytherapy involves placing a radiation source in the organ affected; in the case of endometrial cancer a radiation source is placed directly in the vagina. External beam radiotherapy involves a beam of radiation aimed at the affected area from outside the body. VBT is used to treat any remaining cancer solely in the vagina, whereas EBRT can be used to treat remaining cancer elsewhere in the pelvis following surgery. However, the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy are controversial. Though EBRT significantly reduces the rate of relapse in the pelvis, overall survival and metastasis rates are not improved.[2] VBT provides a better quality of life than EBRT.[22]
Radiotherapy can also be used before surgery in certain cases. When pre-operative imaging or clinical evaluation shows tumor invading the cervix, radiation can be given before a total hysterectomy is performed.[13] Brachytherapy and EBRT can also be used, singly or in combination, when there is a contraindication for hysterectomy.[22] Both delivery methods of radiotherapy are associated with side effects, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.[2]
Hormonal therapy
[edit]Hormonal therapy is only beneficial in certain types of endometrial cancer. It was once thought to be beneficial in most cases.[2][16] If a tumor is well-differentiated and known to have progesterone and estrogen receptors, progestins may be used in treatment.[74] There is no evidence to support the use of progestagen in addition to surgery for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.[77] About 25% of metastatic endometrioid cancers show a response to progestins. Also, endometrial stromal sarcomas can be treated with hormonal agents, including tamoxifen, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, letrozole, megestrol acetate, and medroxyprogesterone.[20] This treatment is effective in endometrial stromal sarcomas because they typically have estrogen and/or progestin receptors. Progestin receptors function as tumor suppressors in endometrial cancer cells.[78] Preliminary research and clinical trials have shown these treatments to have a high rate of response even in metastatic disease.[54]
In 2010 hormonal therapy is of unclear effect in those with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.[79] There is insufficient evidence to inform women considering hormone replacement therapy after treatment for endometrial cancer.[80]
Targeted therapy
[edit]Dostarlimab has been approved by the FDA for therapy of endometrial cancer with specific biomarker[81]
Monitoring
[edit]The tumor marker CA-125 is frequently elevated in endometrial cancer and can be used to monitor response to treatment, particularly in serous cell cancer or advanced disease.[32][44][82] Periodic MRIs or CT scans may be recommended in advanced disease and women with a history of endometrial cancer should receive more frequent pelvic examinations for the five years following treatment.[82] Examinations conducted every three to four months are recommended for the first two years following treatment, and every six months for the next three years.[22]
Women with endometrial cancer should not have routine surveillance imaging to monitor the cancer unless new symptoms appear or tumor markers begin rising. Imaging without these indications is discouraged because it is unlikely to detect a recurrence or improve survival, and because it has its own costs and side effects.[83] If a recurrence is suspected, PET/CT scanning is recommended.[22]
Prognosis
[edit]Survival rates
[edit]Stage | 5-year survival rate |
---|---|
I-A | 88% |
I-B | 75% |
II | 69% |
III-A | 58% |
III-B | 50% |
III-C | 47% |
IV-A | 17% |
IV-B | 15% |
The five-year survival rate for endometrial adenocarcinoma following appropriate treatment is 80%.[85] More than 70% of women diagnosed have FIGO stage I cancer, which has the best prognosis. Stage III and especially Stage IV cancers has a worse prognosis, but these are relatively rare, occurring in only 13% of cases. The median survival time for stage III–IV endometrial cancer is nine to ten months.[86] Older age indicates a worse prognosis.[16] In the United States, white women have a higher survival rate than black women, who tend to develop more aggressive forms of the disease by the time of their diagnosis.[87] Tumors with high progesterone receptor expression have a good prognosis compared to tumors with low progesterone receptor expression; 93% of women with high progesterone receptor disease survived to three years, compared with 36% of women with low progesterone receptor disease.[4] Heart disease is the most common cause of death among those who survive endometrial cancer,[88] with other obesity-related health problems also being common.[89] Following diagnosis, quality of life is also positively associated with a healthy lifestyle (no obesity, high-quality diet, physical activity).[90]
Recurrence rates
[edit]Recurrence of early stage endometrial cancer ranges from 3 to 17%, depending on primary and adjuvant treatment.[85] Most recurrences (75–80%) occur outside of the pelvis, and most occur within two to three years of treatment—64% within two years and 87% within three years.[58]
Higher-staged cancers are more likely to recur, as are those that have invaded the myometrium or cervix, or that have metastasized into the lymphatic system. Papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinoma are the subtypes at the highest risk of recurrence.[23] High-grade histological subtypes are also at elevated risk for recurrence.[15]
The most common site of recurrence is in the vagina;[2] vaginal relapses of endometrial cancer have the best prognosis. If relapse occurs from a cancer that has not been treated with radiation, EBRT is the first-line treatment and is often successful. If a cancer treated with radiation recurs, pelvic exenteration is the only option for curative treatment. Palliative chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery, and radiation are also performed.[91] Radiation therapy (VBT and EBRT) for a local vaginal recurrence has a 50% five-year survival rate. Pelvic recurrences are treated with surgery and radiation, and abdominal recurrences are treated with radiation and, if possible, chemotherapy.[22] Other common recurrence sites are the pelvic lymph nodes, para-aortic lymph nodes, peritoneum (28% of recurrences), and lungs, though recurrences can also occur in the brain (<1%), liver (7%), adrenal glands (1%), bones (4–7%; typically the axial skeleton), lymph nodes outside the abdomen (0.4–1%), spleen, and muscle/soft tissue (2–6%).[58]
Epidemiology
[edit]As of 2014[update], approximately 320,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer worldwide each year and 76,000 die, making it the sixth most common cancer in women.[3] It is more common in developed countries, where the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in women is 1.6%, compared to 0.6% in developing countries.[16] It occurs in 12.9 out of 100,000 women annually in developed countries.[23]
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecologic cancer and, in women, the fourth most common cancer overall,[11][20] representing 6% of all cancer cases in women.[92] In that country, as of 2014[update] it was estimated that 52,630 women were diagnosed yearly and 8,590 would die from the disease.[27] Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and North America have the highest rates of endometrial cancer, whereas Africa and West Asia have the lowest rates. Asia saw 41% of the world's endometrial cancer diagnoses in 2012, whereas Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and North America together comprised 48% of diagnoses.[3] Unlike most cancers, the number of new cases has risen in recent years, including an increase of over 40% in the United Kingdom between 1993 and 2013.[16] Some of this rise may be due to the increase in obesity rates in developed countries,[23] increasing life expectancies, and lower birth rates.[11] The average lifetime risk for endometrial cancer is approximately 2–3% in people with uteruses.[18] In the UK, approximately 7,400 cases are diagnosed annually, and in the EU, approximately 88,000.[22]
Endometrial cancer appears most frequently during perimenopause (the period just before, just after, and during menopause), between the ages of 50 and 65;[20] overall, 75% of endometrial cancer occurs after menopause.[2] Women younger than 40 make up 5% of endometrial cancer cases and 10–15% of cases occur in women under 50 years of age. This age group is at risk for developing ovarian cancer at the same time.[20] The worldwide median age of diagnosis is 63 years of age;[22] in the United States, the average age of diagnosis is 60 years of age. White American women are at higher risk for endometrial cancer than black American women, with a 2.88% and 1.69% lifetime risk respectively.[27] Japanese-American women and American Latina women have a lower rates and Native Hawaiian women have higher rates.[31]
Research
[edit]There are several experimental therapies for endometrial cancer under research, including immunologic, hormonal, and chemotherapeutic treatments. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), an antibody against the Her2 protein, has been used in cancers known to be positive for the Her2/neu oncogene, but research is still underway. Immunologic therapies are also under investigation, particularly in uterine papillary serous carcinoma.[37]
Cancers can be analyzed using genetic techniques (including DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry) to determine if certain therapies specific to mutated genes can be used to treat it. PARP inhibitors are used to treat endometrial cancer with PTEN mutations,[3] specifically, mutations that lower the expression of PTEN. The PARP inhibitor shown to be active against endometrial cancer is olaparib. Research is ongoing in this area as of the 2010s.[26][93][94]
Research is ongoing on the use of metformin, a diabetes medication, in obese women with endometrial cancer before surgery. Early research has shown it to be effective in slowing the rate of cancer cell proliferation.[21][36] Preliminary research has shown that preoperative metformin administration can reduce expression of tumor markers. Long-term use of metformin has not been shown to have a preventative effect against developing cancer, but may improve overall survival.[21]
Temsirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, is under investigation as a potential treatment.[22] Research shows that mTOR inhibitors may be particularly effective for cancers with mutations in PTEN.[3] Ridaforolimus (deforolimus) is also being researched as a treatment for people who have previously had chemotherapy. Preliminary research has been promising, and a stage II trial for ridaforolimus was completed by 2013.[22] There has also been research on combined ridaforolimus/progestin treatments for recurrent endometrial cancer.[95] Bevacizumab and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which inhibit angiogenesis, are being researched as potential treatments for endometrial cancers with high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor.[3] Ixabepilone is being researched as a possible chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.[95] Treatments for rare high-grade undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma are being researched, as there is no established standard of care yet for this disease. Chemotherapies being researched include doxorubicin and ifosfamide.[55]
There is also research in progress on more genes and biomarkers that may be linked to endometrial cancer. The protective effect of combined oral contraceptives and the IUD is being investigated. Preliminary research has shown that the levonorgestrel IUD placed for a year, combined with six monthly injections of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, can stop or reverse the progress of endometrial cancer in young women; specifically complex atypical hyperplasia however the results have been inconclusive.[96][97] An experimental drug that combines a hormone with doxorubicin is also under investigation for greater efficacy in cancers with hormone receptors. Hormone therapy that is effective in treating breast cancer, including use of aromatase inhibitors, is also being investigated for use in endometrial cancer. One such drug is anastrozole, which is currently being researched in hormone-positive recurrences after chemotherapy.[95] Research into hormonal treatments for endometrial stromal sarcomas is ongoing as well. It includes trials of drugs like mifepristone, a progestin antagonist, and aminoglutethimide and letrozole, two aromatase inhibitors.[54]
Research continues into the best imaging method for detecting and staging endometrial cancer. As current diagnostic methods are invasive and inaccurate, researchers are looking into new ways to catch endometrial cancer, especially in its early stages. A study found that using a technique involving infrared light on simple blood test samples detected uterine cancer with high accuracy (87%), and could detect precancerous growths in all cases.[98][99] In surgery, research has shown that complete pelvic lymphadenectomy along with hysterectomy in stage 1 endometrial cancer does not improve survival and increases the risk of negative side effects, including lymphedema. Other research is exploring the potential of identifying the sentinel lymph nodes for biopsy by injecting the tumor with dye that shines under infrared light. Intensity modulated radiation therapy is currently under investigation, and already used in some centers, for application in endometrial cancer, to reduce side effects from traditional radiotherapy. Its risk of recurrence has not yet been quantified. Research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce side effects is also ongoing. The results of the PORTEC 3 trial assessing combining adjuvant radiotherapy with chemotherapy were awaited in late 2014.[95]
There is not enough evidence to determine if people with endometrial cancer benefit from additional behavioural and life style interventions that are aimed at losing excess weight.[100]
History and culture
[edit]Endometrial cancer is not widely known by the general populace, despite its frequency. There is low awareness of the symptoms, which can lead to later diagnosis and worse survival.[101]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "General Information About Endometrial Cancer". National Cancer Institute. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kong A, Johnson N, Kitchener HC, Lawrie TA (April 2012). Kong A (ed.). "Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012 (4): CD003916. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003916.pub4. PMC 4164955. PMID 22513918.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)". National Cancer Institute. 23 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ a b "SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Endometrial Cancer". National Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
- ^ GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1459–1544. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31012-1. PMC 5388903. PMID 27733281.
- ^ "Defining Cancer". National Cancer Institute. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "What You Need To Know: Endometrial Cancer". NCI. National Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 823. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 817. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Uterine Cancer - Cancer Stat Facts". SEER. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ a b c Reynolds RK, Loar PV (2010). "Gynecology". In Doherty GM (ed.). Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-163515-8.
- ^ Clarke MA, Long BJ, Del Mar Morillo A, Arbyn M, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Wentzensen N (September 2018). "Association of Endometrial Cancer Risk With Postmenopausal Bleeding in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JAMA Internal Medicine. 178 (9): 1210–1222. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2820. PMC 6142981. PMID 30083701.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S (July 2011). "Endometrial cancer". BMJ. 343: d3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMID 21734165. S2CID 206893378.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Galaal K, Al Moundhri M, Bryant A, Lopes AD, Lawrie TA (May 2014). "Adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 (5): CD010681. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010681.pub2. PMC 6457820. PMID 24832785.
- ^ a b c d e f Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 818. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Ma J, Ledbetter N, Glenn L (September 2013). "Testing women with endometrial cancer for lynch syndrome: should we test all?". Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. 4 (5): 322–330. doi:10.6004/jadpro.2013.4.5.4. PMC 4093445. PMID 25032011.
- ^ Pérez-Martín AR, Castro-Eguiluz D, Cetina-Pérez L, Velasco-Torres Y, Bahena-González A, Montes-Servín E, et al. (July 2022). "Impact of metabolic syndrome on the risk of endometrial cancer and the role of lifestyle in prevention". Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 22 (4): 499–510. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2021.6963. PMC 9392984. PMID 35276057.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Soliman PT, Lu KH (2013). "Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ a b c Sivalingam VN, Myers J, Nicholas S, Balen AH, Crosbie EJ (2014). "Metformin in reproductive health, pregnancy and gynaecological cancer: established and emerging indications". Human Reproduction Update. 20 (6): 853–868. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmu037. PMID 25013215.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C, Sessa C (October 2013). "Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up". Annals of Oncology. 24 (Suppl 6): vi33–vi38. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdt353. PMID 24078661.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR (August 2012). "Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012 (8): CD003915. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003915.pub4. PMC 7104534. PMID 22895938.
- ^ Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women (December 2011). "Committee Opinion no. 512: health care for transgender individuals". Obstetrics and Gynecology. 118 (6): 1454–1458. doi:10.1097/aog.0b013e31823ed1c1. PMID 22105293. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014.
- ^ Wang X, Kho PF, Ramachandran D, Bafligil C, Amant F, Goode EL, et al. (May 2023). "Multi-trait genome-wide association study identifies a novel endometrial cancer risk locus that associates with testosterone levels". iScience. 26 (5): 106590. Bibcode:2023iSci...26j6590W. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106590. PMC 10165198. PMID 37168552.
- ^ a b Reinbolt RE, Hays JL (October 2013). "The Role of PARP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies". Frontiers in Oncology. 3: 237. doi:10.3389/fonc.2013.00237. PMC 3787651. PMID 24098868.
- ^ a b c d e Burke WM, Orr J, Leitao M, Salom E, Gehrig P, Olawaiye AB, et al. (August 2014). "Endometrial cancer: a review and current management strategies: part I". Gynecologic Oncology. 134 (2): 385–392. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.05.018. PMID 24905773.
- ^ Cheng TH, Thompson DJ, O'Mara TA, Painter JN, Glubb DM, Flach S, et al. (June 2016). "Five endometrial cancer risk loci identified through genome-wide association analysis". Nature Genetics. 48 (6): 667–674. doi:10.1038/ng.3562. PMC 4907351. PMID 27135401.
- ^ a b O'Mara TA, Glubb DM, Amant F, Annibali D, Ashton K, Attia J, et al. (August 2018). "Identification of nine new susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer". Nature Communications. 9 (1): 3166. Bibcode:2018NatCo...9.3166O. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-05427-7. PMC 6085317. PMID 30093612.
- ^ Staley H, McCallum I, Bruce J (October 2012). "Postoperative tamoxifen for ductal carcinoma in situ". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 10: CD007847. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007847.pub2. PMID 23076938.
There is evidence from other reports that tamoxifen increases the risk of endometrial cancer although the data presented in this review describes only 10 events occurring in 1798 participants (0.5%) after seven years of follow-up.
- ^ a b c d "Endometrial Cancer Prevention". PDQ. NIH. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015.
- ^ a b c Coleman RL, Ramirez PT, Gershenson DM (2013). "Neoplastic Diseases of the Ovary". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, Alter DA (January 2015). "Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Annals of Internal Medicine. 162 (2): 123–132. doi:10.7326/M14-1651. PMID 25599350. S2CID 7256176.
- ^ a b Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 819. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ Wang X, Glubb DM, O'Mara TA (March 2022). "10 Years of GWAS discovery in endometrial cancer: Aetiology, function and translation". eBioMedicine. 77: 103895. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103895. PMC 8881374. PMID 35219087.
- ^ a b c d Suh DH, Kim JW, Kang S, Kim HJ, Lee KH (July 2014). "Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2013". Journal of Gynecologic Oncology. 25 (3): 236–248. doi:10.3802/jgo.2014.25.3.236. PMC 4102743. PMID 25045437.
- ^ a b c d e f Thaker PH, Sood AK (1 January 2012). "Molecular Oncology in Gynecologic Cancer". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ Köbel M, Ronnett BM, Singh N, Soslow RA, Gilks CB, McCluggage WG (January 2019). "Interpretation of P53 Immunohistochemistry in Endometrial Carcinomas: Toward Increased Reproducibility". International Journal of Gynecological Pathology. 38 (Suppl 1): S123–S131. doi:10.1097/PGP.0000000000000488. PMC 6127005. PMID 29517499. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ Mani RS (September 2014). "The emerging role of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) in cancer development". Drug Discovery Today. 19 (9): 1498–1502. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2014.07.009. PMC 4237012. PMID 25058385.
A recent exome-sequencing study revealed that 8% of serious endometrial cancers and 9% of clear cell endometrial cancers have SPOP mutations
- ^ Luo L, Luo B, Zheng Y, Zhang H, Li J, Sidell N (December 2018). "Oral and intrauterine progestogens for atypical endometrial hyperplasia". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018 (12): CD009458. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009458.pub3. PMC 6517239. PMID 30521671.
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 820. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ Madár, I.; Szabó, A.; Vleskó, G.; Hegyi, P.; Ács, N.; Fehérvári, P.; Kói, T.; Kálovics, E.; Szabó, G. Diagnostic Accuracy of Transvaginal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Detection of Myometrial Infiltration in Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers 2024, 16, 907. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16050907
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 821. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 824. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b Murali R, Soslow RA, Weigelt B (June 2014). "Classification of endometrial carcinoma: more than two types". The Lancet. Oncology. 15 (7): e268–e278. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70591-6. PMID 24872110.
- ^ Mendivil A, Schuler KM, Gehrig PA (January 2009). "Non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus: a review of selected histological subtypes". Cancer Control. 16 (1): 46–52. doi:10.1177/107327480901600107. PMID 19078929.
- ^ a b c d Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 826. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 827. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C, Sessa C (September 2011). "Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up". Annals of Oncology. 22 (Suppl 6): vi35–vi39. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdr374. PMID 21908501.
- ^ a b Johnson N, Bryant A, Miles T, Hogberg T, Cornes P (October 2011). "Adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer after hysterectomy". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011 (10): CD003175. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003175.pub2. PMC 4164379. PMID 21975736.
- ^ Goodrich S, Kebria-Moslemi M, Broshears J, Sutton GP, Rose P (September 2013). "Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium: two cases and a review of the literature". Diagnostic Cytopathology. 41 (9): 817–820. doi:10.1002/dc.22814. PMID 22241749. S2CID 205746422.
- ^ Mariño-Enríquez A, González-Rocha T, Burgos E, Stolnicu S, Mendiola M, Nogales FF, Hardisson D (November 2008). "Transitional cell carcinoma of the endometrium and endometrial carcinoma with transitional cell differentiation: a clinicopathologic study of 5 cases and review of the literature". Human Pathology. 39 (11). et al.: 1606–1613. doi:10.1016/j.humpath.2008.03.005. PMID 18620731.
- ^ Ahluwalia M, Light AM, Surampudi K, Finn CB (October 2006). "Transitional cell carcinoma of the endometrium: a case report and review of the literature". International Journal of Gynecological Pathology. 25 (4): 378–382. doi:10.1097/01.pgp.0000215296.53361.4b. PMID 16990716.
- ^ a b c Sylvestre VT, Dunton CJ (April 2010). "Treatment of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma with letrozole: a case report and literature review". Hormones & Cancer. 1 (2): 112–115. doi:10.1007/s12672-010-0007-9. PMC 10358008. PMID 21761354. S2CID 26057966.
- ^ a b Hensley ML (2012). "Uterine sarcomas: histology and its implications on therapy". American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting (32): 356–361. doi:10.14694/EdBook_AM.2012.32.7. PMID 24451763.
- ^ D'Angelo E, Prat J (January 2010). "Uterine sarcomas: a review". Gynecologic Oncology. 116 (1): 131–139. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.09.023. PMID 19853898.
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 828. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c Kurra V, Krajewski KM, Jagannathan J, Giardino A, Berlin S, Ramaiya N (March 2013). "Typical and atypical metastatic sites of recurrent endometrial carcinoma". Cancer Imaging. 13 (1): 113–122. doi:10.1102/1470-7330.2013.0011. PMC 3613792. PMID 23545091.
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 825. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ Nofech-Mozes S, Ismiil N, Dubé V, Saad RS, Ghorab Z, Grin A, et al. (2012). "Interobserver agreement for endometrial cancer characteristics evaluated on biopsy material". Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012: 414086. doi:10.1155/2012/414086. PMC 3306930. PMID 22496699.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Weidner N, Coté R, Suster S, Weiss L, eds. (2002). Modern Surgical Pathology (2 Volume Set). WB Saunders. ISBN 978-0-7216-7253-3.
- ^ a b c Images by Mikael Häggström, MD. Source for grading criteria:
- Soslow RA, Tornos C, Park KJ, Malpica A, Matias-Guiu X, Oliva E, Parkash V, Carlson J, McCluggage WG, Gilks CB (2019). "Endometrial Carcinoma Diagnosis". International Journal of Gynecological Pathology. 38 (1 Suppl 1): S64–S74. doi:10.1097/PGP.0000000000000518. ISSN 0277-1691. PMC 6295928. PMID 30550484. - ^ a b c Images by Mikael Häggström, MD. Source for criteria:
- Nofech-Mozes S, Ismiil N, Dubé V, Saad RS, Ghorab Z, Grin A, et al. (2012). "Interobserver agreement for endometrial cancer characteristics evaluated on biopsy material". Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012: 414086. doi:10.1155/2012/414086. PMC 3306930. PMID 22496699.{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Berek JS, Matias-Guiu X, Creutzberg C, Fotopoulou C, Gaffney D, Kehoe S, et al. (2023). "FIGO staging of endometrial cancer: 2023". Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 162 (2): 383–394. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14923. hdl:10852/107775. PMID 37337978.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ McCluggage WG, Bosse T, Gilks CB, Howitt BE, McAlpine JN, Nucci MR, et al. (2023). "FIGO 2023 endometrial cancer staging: too much, too soon?". Int J Gynecol Cancer. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-004981. PMID 37935523.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Stage Information for Endometrial Cancer". National Cancer Institute. January 1980. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ Mahdy H, Casey MJ, Crotzer D (2021). "Endometrial Cancer". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30252237 – via National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- ^ "Protocol for the Examination of Specimens From Patients With Carcinoma and Carcinosarcoma of the Endometrium, Version: 5.0.0.0" (PDF). cap.org (College of American Pathologists). Protocol Posting Date: December 2023
- ^ a b Frost JA, Webster KE, Bryant A, Morrison J (October 2017). "Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 (10): CD007585. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007585.pub4. PMC 6485923. PMID 28968482.
- ^ a b Galaal K, Donkers H, Bryant A, Lopes AD (October 2018). "Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018 (10): CD006655. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006655.pub3. PMC 6517108. PMID 30379327.
- ^ a b Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 829. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 833. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ McGee J, Covens A (2013). "Gestational Trophoblastic Disease". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ a b c d Smith JA, Jhingran A (2013). "Principles of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ Guillotin D, Martin SA (November 2014). "Exploiting DNA mismatch repair deficiency as a therapeutic strategy". Experimental Cell Research. 329 (1): 110–115. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.07.004. PMID 25017099.
- ^ Roncolato F, Lindemann K, Willson ML, Martyn J, Mileshkin L (October 2019). "PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019 (10): CD012160. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd012160.pub2. PMC 6953296. PMID 31588998.
- ^ Martin-Hirsch PP, Bryant A, Keep SL, Kitchener HC, Lilford R (June 2011). "Adjuvant progestagens for endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015 (6): CD001040. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001040.pub2. PMC 4238061. PMID 21678331.
- ^ Patel B, Elguero S, Thakore S, Dahoud W, Bedaiwy M, Mesiano S (2014). "Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology". Human Reproduction Update. 21 (2): 155–173. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmu056. PMC 4366574. PMID 25406186.
- ^ Kokka F, Brockbank E, Oram D, Gallagher C, Bryant A (December 2010). "Hormonal therapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015 (12): CD007926. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007926.pub2. PMC 4164823. PMID 21154390.
- ^ "Endometrial cancer risk was lower in women who used continuous combined HRT than in non-users". Evidence-based Obstetrics & Gynecology. 8 (1–2): 68–69. March 2006. doi:10.1016/j.ebobgyn.2006.01.011. ISSN 1361-259X.
- ^ "FDA Approves Immunotherapy for Endometrial Cancer with Specific Biomarker". FDA. 22 April 2021.
- ^ a b Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 831. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question". Choosing Wisely. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ "Survival by stage of endometrial cancer". American Cancer Society. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ a b Nicolaije KA, Ezendam NP, Vos MC, Boll D, Pijnenborg JM, Kruitwagen RF, et al. (May 2013). "Follow-up practice in endometrial cancer and the association with patient and hospital characteristics: a study from the population-based PROFILES registry". Gynecologic Oncology. 129 (2): 324–331. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.02.018. PMID 23435365.
- ^ Ang C, Bryant A, Barton DP, Pomel C, Naik R (February 2014). "Exenterative surgery for recurrent gynaecological malignancies". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 (2): CD010449. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010449.pub2. PMC 6457731. PMID 24497188.
- ^ Soliman PT, Lu KH (2013). "Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus". In Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Katz VL (eds.). Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBN 978-0-323-06986-1.
- ^ Ward KK, Shah NR, Saenz CC, McHale MT, Alvarez EA, Plaxe SC (August 2012). "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among endometrial cancer patients". Gynecologic Oncology. 126 (2): 176–179. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.04.013. PMID 22507532.
- ^ Fader AN, Arriba LN, Frasure HE, von Gruenigen VE (July 2009). "Endometrial cancer and obesity: epidemiology, biomarkers, prevention and survivorship". Gynecologic Oncology. 114 (1): 121–127. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.03.039. PMID 19406460.
- ^ Koutoukidis DA, Knobf MT, Lanceley A (June 2015). "Obesity, diet, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors". Nutrition Reviews. 73 (6): 399–408. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuu063. PMC 4477700. PMID 26011914.
- ^ Hoffman BL, Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG, eds. (2012). "Endometrial Cancer". Williams Gynecology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 834. ISBN 978-0-07-171672-7. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014.
- ^ "General Information about Endometrial Cancer". Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ). NIH. 23 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014.
- ^ Lee JM, Ledermann JA, Kohn EC (January 2014). "PARP Inhibitors for BRCA1/2 mutation-associated and BRCA-like malignancies". Annals of Oncology. 25 (1): 32–40. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdt384. PMC 3868320. PMID 24225019.
- ^ Banerjee S, Kaye S (December 2011). "PARP inhibitors in BRCA gene-mutated ovarian cancer and beyond". Current Oncology Reports. 13 (6): 442–449. doi:10.1007/s11912-011-0193-9. PMID 21913063. S2CID 3079985.
- ^ a b c d "Womb cancer research". CancerHelp UK. Cancer Research UK. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- ^ Minig L, Franchi D, Boveri S, Casadio C, Bocciolone L, Sideri M (March 2011). "Progestin intrauterine device and GnRH analogue for uterus-sparing treatment of endometrial precancers and well-differentiated early endometrial carcinoma in young women". Annals of Oncology. 22 (3): 643–649. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdq463. PMID 20876910.
- ^ Pal N, Broaddus RR, Urbauer DL, Balakrishnan N, Milbourne A, Schmeler KM, et al. (January 2018). "Treatment of Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer and Complex Atypical Hyperplasia With the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine Device". Obstetrics and Gynecology. 131 (1): 109–116. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002390. PMC 5739955. PMID 29215513.
- ^ "Womb cancer could be detected early with an inexpensive new blood test". NIHR Evidence (Plain English summary). 12 November 2020. doi:10.3310/alert_42575. S2CID 241679195.
- ^ Paraskevaidi M, Morais CL, Ashton KM, Stringfellow HF, McVey RJ, Ryan NA, et al. (May 2020). "Detecting Endometrial Cancer by Blood Spectroscopy: A Diagnostic Cross-Sectional Study". Cancers. 12 (5): 1256. doi:10.3390/cancers12051256. PMC 7281323. PMID 32429365.
- ^ Agnew H, Kitson S, Crosbie EJ (March 2023). "Interventions for weight reduction in obesity to improve survival in women with endometrial cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023 (3): CD012513. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012513.pub3. PMC 10052369. PMID 36971688.
- ^ Carlisle D (21 September 2014). "Womb cancer: the most common diagnosis you've never heard of". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.