Endometrial Cancer Disease Summary

Overview

Endometrial cancer is a malignant tumor of the uterus that is usually diagnosed in its early stages, as stated in the Introduction section.

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the 14th leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide.  A detailed discussion about the prevalence of endometrial cancer is in the Epidemiology section.

The Pathophysiology section states that endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (atypical endometrial hyperplasia) is the precursor lesion to endometrial cancer according to the 1994 World Health Organization (WHO) and International Endometrial Collaborative Group schemas.

The Risk Factors section enumerates the factors that contribute to the development of endometrial cancer.

The different types of endometrial cancer and histology are explained in the Classification section. 

Endometrial Cancer_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The Clinical Presentation section describes the clinical features suggestive of endometrial cancer. A pelvic exam and full body examination are important in the evaluation of endometrial cancer and are emphasized in the Physical Examination section.

The Screening section explains the recommendations for screening in symptomatic women and those at increased risk for endometrial cancer. 

Diagnosis

Discussions on tumor markers, surgical diagnostic procedures and other tests are in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section.  

The Imaging section discusses different studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pelvic ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, chest radiography, and computed tomography (CT) scan that are important in the evaluation of endometrial cancer.

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

The staging of endometrial cancer based on imaging studies, histological results and surgery is discussed in the Evaluation section.

General therapy principles and management of endometrial cancer based on the risk, disease stage and the patient’s desire for fertility are explained in the Principles of Therapy section.

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the systemic therapy, biomarker-directed systemic therapy, and hormonal therapy in the management of endometrial cancer.

The Nonpharmacological section explains the indications for observation in patients with endometrial cancer whether they underwent surgery or not.

Recommended surgical techniques based on the stage of endometrial cancer are presented in the Surgery section.

The Radiation Therapy section discusses the treatment option for patients who are not qualified for surgery.

The Monitoring section identifies indications for follow-up in patients with endometrial cancer based on the therapy done and treatment response.  

The Prognosis section discusses the factors in the evaluation of endometrial cancer.

The management of recurrent endometrial cancer is explained in the Complications section.