Uterine sarcoma is much less common than endometrial carcinoma.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Symptoms
Uterine cancer may not cause symptoms, particularly in the early stages.
When they occur, symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
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In addition to asking about your symptoms, your provider will use several tests to make a diagnosis.
You might need to have one or more tests to rule out another condition during your diagnostic evaluation.
Staging
If you are diagnosed with cancer, your cancer will bestaged.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Staging defines the size and extent of metastasis (spread) of cancer.
Staging is determined by theTNM system.
How big is it?
How far has cancer grown into the uterus and has it reached nearby organs or structures?
Has cancer spread to distant lymph nodes or distant organs in other parts of the body?
A letter or number is added after the T, N, or M to give more specific information.
This information is combined in a process called stage grouping.
Higher numbers and letters after the T, N, or M indicate the cancer is more advanced.
A low-grade tumor appears similar to healthy tissue and has organized cell groupings.
Well-differentiated cancer tissue resembles healthy tissue and would be described as low-grade.
Cancerous tissue that appears very different from healthy tissue is considered poorly differentiated and classified as a high-grade tumor.
Why Are Staging and Grading Important?
Cancer cells are also examined to determine whether certain treatments, like hormone therapy, might work.
Treatment decisions about targeted drugs may also be based on the genetic characteristics of the cells.
Several treatment options are available.
Surgery
Typically, surgery is the first-line of treatment for uterine cancer.
Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, difficulty emptying your bladder, and difficulty having bowel movements.
These problems are usually temporary.
You will begin with a liquid diet right after surgery, gradually returning to solid food.
Lymphedema (swelling in the legs) is a possible side effect of a lymphadenectomy.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells.
Sometimes it is used if someone is unable to have surgery.
Side effects of radiation vary, often depending on the amount of radiation therapy.
Side effects may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements.
These effects usually resolve within months after treatment is completed.
Long-term side effects can occur, but are less common.
It can be administered on its own or in combination with other therapies, such as radiation.
The treatment is delivered either intravenously or swallowed in pill form.
Targeted therapy is typically reserved for stage IV cancer when other treatments fail to slow progression.
The immunotherapy drug Keyruda (pembrolizumab) has been approved to treat some uterine cancer tumors.
It is sometimes used in combination with Levinma (lenvatinib), a targeted therapy drug.
Immunotherapy is typically used for advanced uterine cancer or when other treatments have been ineffective.
Lenvima may cause high blood pressure.
Palliative Care
Palliative care focuses on the physical, social, and emotional effects of cancer.
The goal is to provide symptom support and non-medical support for patients and their loved ones.
Prognosis
What Is a Prognosis?
Prognosis is a prediction or estimate of the chance of recovery or survival from a disease.
This is, of course, an estimatesome people live much longer than estimated.
Coping
Facing treatment for uterine cancer can be overwhelming.
It can help to break down your needs into smaller categories that are easier to tackle.
A Word From Verywell
The word cancer is always fear-inducing, and cancer treatment can be daunting.
If you have received a diagnosis of uterine cancer, don’t panic.
Stop, breathe, and remember that there are effective treatments available, and remission is possible.
Early diagnosis usually means better outcomes.
Whatever your age, if you notice unusual vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, don’t ignore it.
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