5 Types of Endometrial Cancer: Insights

The endometrium is one of the most important parts of the female reproductive system. This part plays an important role during menstruation. It is the lining of the uterus from which menstrual blood passes. Endometrial cancer occurs when cancerous cells start growing in a woman’s endometrium and proliferate out of control. There are 5 types of endometrial tumors. So, what are the types of endometrial cancer exactly?

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Types Of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is categorized into the following types:

Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma

• Out of all the types of endometrial cancers, this is the most common one. 

• This type of endometrial cancer generally affects women post-menopause and has a high cure rate. 

• However, in cases of pre-menopausal women, even though it is rare, this type of endometrial tumor can be aggressive enough to spread rapidly to multiple organs. 

Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma

• This is the most aggressive type of endometrial cancer; however, it is rare.

• According to the National Institutes of Health, every year, 10% of new cases of uterine papillary serous carcinoma emerge but the disease is responsible for 40% of deaths worldwide.

• Treatment of this type of endometrial cancer includes surgery. In most women, surgery is often followed by multimodality adjuvant therapy.

Uterine Clear Cell Carcinoma

• This also is rare yet it is one of the most aggressive types of endometrial cancer.

• This type of endometrial cancer is called so because of the presence of clear carcinogenic cells that exhibit different architectural patterns.

• This type of endometrial tumor makes up less than 5% of all uterine carcinomas as per research by the National Institutes of Health.

Uterine Carcinosarcoma

• These types of endometrial tumors develop in the uterus and are rare.

• This cancer is called ‘carcinosarcoma’ as it displays characteristics of both endometrial carcinoma and sarcoma.

• These tumors have a high risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Uterine Sarcoma

• This cancer forms in the muscular wall of the uterus and are more aggressive.

• Symptoms of this type of endometrial cancer include bleeding from the vagina, pelvic pain, and feeling full.

• People with uterine sarcoma generally are asymptomatic.

Type 1 Vs Type 2 Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial Cancer Symptoms

Common symptoms that indicate the onset of endometrial cancer are as follows:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Painful urination

• Pain in the pelvic area

• Pain during sexual intercourse

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Stages Of Endometrial Cancer And Treatments

Now, how fast does endometrial cancer spread? It has been observed that the rate and extent at which the cancer spreads depends on the stage it is at.

Stage 1: In this stage, the carcinogenic cells are confined to the uterus.

Stage 2: The cancer spreads to the cervix in this stage of endometrial cancer.

Stage 3: The carcinogenic cells may spread to any of or all of the following parts; namely, the vagina, ovaries, and lymph nodes.

Stage 4: This is the last stage of endometrial cancer in which the cancer may spread to the neighboring organs as well as the organs located far away. These organs include the urinary bladder, rectum, lungs, bones, etc. 

Endometrial cancer treatments primarily include medication and surgery. Other treatments include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and brachytherapy.

Fundraising For Endometrial Cancer Treatment

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the cost of treatment may be a concern to the patients and their families as medical bills add up quickly. There is, however, a quick way of raising money online for medical treatment. It is called medical fundraising

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