About Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer refers to any cancer affecting the tissue within the uterus, a hollow organ where the fetus develops. It is the most common type of gynecological cancer in the United States. Most uterine cancers affect the endometrial cells, which form the lining of the uterus, but there are other types of uterine cancer, like uterine sarcoma. Uterine sarcoma affects the cells in the muscles of the uterus as well as other non-endometrial tissues that support the structure of the uterus.
While uterine cancer can affect all women, the risk increases with age. Uterine cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women who are going through menopause or post-menopausal women.
Causes and Risk Factors
Uterine cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that causes cells within the uterus to grow unregulated. Over time, these abnormal cells can grow into a large mass which may become a tumor. If left untreated, the cancer cells can potentially spread to other tissues and organs in the body, a process known as metastasis.
The exact cause of this genetic mutation is not known, but certain personal and environmental factors may contribute to uterine cancer. Hormonal changes are the most significant risk factor. The ovaries are responsible for two main hormones, progesterone and estrogen, but certain diseases that affect the ovaries, including diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome, can cause fluctuations in these hormones that result in increased estrogen levels without increasing progesterone levels. This imbalance can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
Lynch syndrome, also referred to as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, can increase the risk of colon and endometrial cancers. This syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation.
Other potential risk factors include:
- Age (being older than 50)
- Obesity
- Having a family member who has had colon, uterine, or ovarian cancer
Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
The most common early symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. The bleeding may be heavier or longer than normal or may occur outside of your normal periods. Vaginal bleeding can be particularly alarming in post-menopausal women. Other signs and symptoms may vary, but many patients diagnosed with uterine cancer experience pain or pressure in the pelvis.
These symptoms can potentially be caused by other issues not related to uterine cancer. The only way to know for sure that you have cancer is to get diagnosed by a professional. The diagnosis in each patient usually starts with a pelvic exam. From there, the oncologist may use imaging tests to create pictures of the uterus and examine the endometrium. The doctor may also perform a biopsy on the pelvic area, which involves removing some uterine tissue for laboratory analysis and examination to determine the presence of cancer cells.
Once the cancer has been diagnosed in the patient, the doctor will proceed to the staging process. Staging helps the oncologist determine the severity of the cancer, whether the disease has spread, and the proper targeted therapy plan necessary. Staging for uterine cancer ranges from Roman numerals I to IV. The higher the stage, the more severe the cancer and metastasis.
About Alternative/Natural Treatment of Uterine Cancer
Treatments for uterine cancer usually involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. However, these surgeries and targeted therapy options can be physically exhausting or difficult to endure if you already have a weakened immune system. Instead, you may opt for alternative and natural treatments or potential clinical trials, which provide gentle but effective options for the treatment of endometrial cancer without any of the negative side effects.
At Immunity Therapy Center, our team can work with you one-on-one to provide personalized treatment plans and build positive relationships to support the healing process. Contact us today to learn more about alternative treatment for uterine cancer.
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Therapies we useAt Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.
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