uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) Description

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, also known as endometrial cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the inner lining of the uterus, specifically in the epithelial cells of the endometrium [1]. It is the most prevalent gynecologic malignancy and one of the most common female reproductive system cancers [8].

The symptoms of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma may include abnormal bleeding between periods or after menopause, which can be a sign of uncontrolled cell growth in the uterus [3]. Treatment for this type of cancer often involves surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) to prevent further growth and spread of the disease [3].

UCEC is typically defined as any invasive neoplasm of the uterine corpus, with no recommended screening tests currently available for early detection [6]. However, research suggests that it arises from the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity, making early diagnosis crucial for effective treatment and management [4][7].

Key Statistics:

• Most common female genital cancer in developed countries [5]
• One of the most common malignancies in the female reproductive system [8]

References:

[1] H Mahdy (2022) - Endometrial cancer is a malignancy originating within the epithelial lining of the uterus. [3] Mar 27, 2019 - Uterine cancer symptoms include bleeding between periods or after menopause. [4] by M Koskas (2021) - Cancer of the corpus uteri is usually referred to as endometrial cancer, which arises from the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity. [5] Aug 22, 2023 - Endometrial cancer (also referred to as corpus uterine cancer or corpus cancer) is the most common female genital cancer in the developed world. [6] Sep 30, 2024 - Uterine cancer is defined as any invasive neoplasm of the uterine corpus. [7] by M Koskas (2021) - Cancer of the corpus uteri is usually referred to as endometrial cancer, which arises from the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity. [8] by M Zhao (2023) - Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is one of the most common malignancies in the female reproductive system.

Common symptoms of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may occur between menstrual periods or after menopause [1][2][3][4]
• Pelvic pain or a mass in the pelvic area [5]
• Unusual vaginal discharge or spotting [6]
• Weight loss that is not related to diet or exercise [7]

Other possible symptoms:

• Changes in menstruation, such as heavier periods or longer menstrual cycles [8]
• Difficulty or painful urination [9]
• An enlarged uterus detected during a pelvic exam [10]

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, and only a medical professional can accurately diagnose uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

References: [1] Aug 11, 2023 - Often the first symptom is irregular vaginal bleeding. [2] Uterine cancer symptoms include bleeding between periods or after menopause. [3] Mar 27, 2019 - Unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, or other discharge. [4] Endometrial Cancer Symptoms · Abnormal vaginal bleeding, including significant changes in menstrual cycle or bleeding between periods [5] Mar 27, 2019 - Pelvic pain, a mass, and weight loss. [6] Aug 20, 2021 - Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge [7] by H Mahdy · 2022 · Cited by 58 — Common symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and uterine enlargement.[5] [8] The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This includes a change in menstruation (heavier periods, periods that last longer) [9] Aug 20, 2021 - Difficult or painful urination [10] by H Mahdy · 2022 · Cited by 58 — Common symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and uterine enlargement.[5]

Diagnostic Tests for Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, also known as endometrial cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the uterus. The following diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose and confirm this condition:

• Endometrial Biopsy: A small tissue sample is taken from the inner lining of the uterus using a special instrument called a biopsy forceps. This test is very accurate in postmenopausal women [1].
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A procedure where the cervix is dilated, and a small instrument called a curette is used to remove tissue samples from the uterus.
• Blood Tests: Various blood tests can be performed to check for cancer markers in the blood. These include:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
  • CA 125: This test measures the level of a protein called CA 125 in the blood, which is sometimes released by endometrial cancers [5].
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as transvaginal ultrasonography or CT scans can be used to visualize the uterus and surrounding tissues.
• Endoscopy: A procedure where a flexible tube with a camera and light on the end (endoscope) is inserted through the cervix to visually examine the inside of the uterus.

It's worth noting that there is no standard or routine screening test for endometrial cancer, and most guidelines recommend either transvaginal ultrasonography or endometrial biopsy as the initial study for evaluation [3].

References:

[1] Apr 22, 2021 — An endometrial biopsy is the most commonly used test for endometrial cancer and is very accurate in postmenopausal women. [2] Jun 26, 2023 — Endometrial cancer screening is currently not recommended because no standard or routine screening test has been shown to be effective. [3] Tests to Diagnose Endometrial Cancer · Endometrial biopsy: When a small tissue sample is taken from the inner lining of the uterus. · Dilation and curettage: A ... [4] by MM BRAUN · 2016 · Cited by 500 — Diagnostic Studies. Most guidelines recommend either transvaginal ultrasonography or endometrial biopsy as the initial study for the evaluation ... [5] Blood tests · Complete blood count (CBC) · Complete metabolic panel (CMP) · CA 125: Endometrial cancers sometimes release this substance into the blood. This test, ...

Treatment Options for Endometrial Carcinoma

Endometrial carcinoma, also known as uterine corpus cancer, can be treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The treatment approach depends on the stage and type of cancer.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used to treat endometrial cancer that has spread beyond the uterus or has recurred after initial treatment. Common chemotherapy drugs used to treat endometrial cancer include:
  • Carboplatin (Paraplatin) [5]
  • Cisplatin (Platinol) [5]
  • Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) [5]
  • Paclitaxel (Taxol) [5]
• Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy is used to treat endometrial cancer that has hormone receptors. This type of treatment involves taking medicines to lower the hormone levels in the body, which can help slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.
  • Tamoxifen, which is used to treat and prevent breast cancer, is associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer [3]
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy uses medications that specifically target certain aspects of cancer cell growth. For example:
  • Lenvatinib (Lenvima) is a targeted therapy medication that can be used to treat advanced endometrial cancers [7]

Recent Developments in Treatment

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma.

• Dostarlimab-gxly: Dostarlimab-gxly has been approved by the FDA for use with chemotherapy to treat endometrial cancer. This medication is a type of immunotherapy that helps the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells [4]
• Pembrolizumab: Pembrolizumab can be used by itself to treat advanced endometrial cancers, typically after other treatments have been tried [8]

References

[1] Jun 24, 2024 — Drugs Approved for Endometrial Cancer · Dostarlimab-gxly · Durvalumab · Imfinzi (Durvalumab) · Jemperli (Dostarlimab-gxly) · Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)

[2] Mar 30, 2022 — After surgery, radiation therapy, chemo, or both may be given to help keep the cancer from coming back.

[3] by PDQATE Board · 2024 · Cited by 2 — Tamoxifen, which is used to treat and prevent breast cancer (NSABP-B-14), is associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer related to...

[4] Jul 8, 2024 — FDA approves dostarlimab-gxly with chemotherapy for endometrial cancer.

[5] Apr 27, 2023 — Common Drugs​​ Endometrial cancer may be treated with one or more of the following chemotherapy drugs: Carboplatin (Paraplatin) Cisplatin (...

[6] Oct

The differential diagnosis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma involves distinguishing it from other conditions that can cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound.

According to the FIGO classification, abnormal uterine bleeding should be evaluated using a differential diagnoses evaluation, which comprises polyps, adenomyosis, hyperplasia, and other conditions [1]. Mixed endometrial carcinoma is also composed of 2 or more spatially distinct tumor subtypes, at least one of which is serous carcinoma or clear cell carcinoma, making it another important consideration in the differential diagnosis [2].

The degree of histologic differentiation of endometrial cancer has long been accepted as a sensitive indicator of prognosis. Patients with well-differentiated tumors tend to have a better outcome than those with poorly differentiated tumors [4]. However, the differential diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia and well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma is complicated by their resemblance in histology [6].

Other conditions that can be part of the differential diagnosis include benign endometrial proliferation, endometrial polyp, submucosal uterine leiomyoma, and coexistent endometrial hyperplasia, squamous, mucinous, and/or other forms of differentiation, polarity, and glandular architecture [5][8].

It's worth noting that the term differential is used nonrigorously in calculus to refer to an infinitesimal change in some varying quantity, but in the context of medicine, it refers to making a distinction between individuals or classes [10][11]. However, this concept is not directly applicable to the differential diagnosis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma.

References: [1] H Mahdy (2022) - The FIGO classification of abnormal uterine bleeding should be used to help guide differential diagnoses evaluation [2] JT Rabban (2019) - Mixed endometrial carcinoma is composed of 2 or more spatially distinct tumor subtypes, at least one of which is serous carcinoma or clear cell carcinoma [4] Aug 22, 2023 - The degree of histologic differentiation of endometrial cancer has long been accepted as a sensitive indicator of prognosis. [5] Jul 20, 2023 - Differential diagnosis includes benign endometrial proliferation, endometrial polyp, submucosal uterine leiomyoma [6] H Mahdy (2022) - The differential diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia and well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma is complicated by their resemblance in histology. [8] JT Rabban (2019) - Coexistent endometrial hyperplasia, squamous, mucinous, and/or other forms of differentiation, polarity, and glandular architecture are part of the differential diagnosis.