Uterine Cancer Types

If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, it is likely that you have many different questions. One of the first things to learn, however, is just what type of cancer you are fighting. There are several uterine cancer types:

• Uterine sarcoma – These are rare and appear in the muscle wall of your uterus.
• Endometrioid adenocarcinoma – This is one of the most common uterine cancer types (around 75% of cases), it has a high cure rate and is relatively easy to catch early.
• Clear cell adenocarcinoma – Another rarer type, it is often found in women exposed specifically to the drug diethlystilbestrol.
• Serous adenocarcinoma – Accounts for ten percent of cases and tends to spread to lymph nodes.
• Adenosquamous carcinoma – Another rare form and shows elements of two types of carcinoma.
• Carniomasarcoma – Rare form of uterine cancer that spreads rapidly.

While physicians are unsure of just what causes most types of uterine cancer, there are some risk factors. For example, we noted that patients with clear cell adenocarcinoma are often known to have been exposed to a specific drug. Additionally, experts are getting better at understanding the behavioral patterns of uterine cancer types too.

This enables them to predict certain risks, and to design better treatment plans. Of course, it all begins with the proper diagnosis.

The Importance of Diagnosis

As the MD Anderson Cancer Center says, “Early and accurate diagnosis of uterine cancer can help increase the chance for successful treatment.” Unfortunately, in the past there have been flawed approaches to diagnosis, and so patients have had their cancer become far advanced before proper diagnosis, or have had some symptoms misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly.

There are different treatments for the different uterine cancer types, and the tests used to properly diagnose will include:

• Biopsy
• Dilation and curettage
• Hysteroscopy
• Imaging tests (e.g., CT or ultrasound)
• Blood testing

There are also some patients who will be told that their condition warrants surgery. This may be to determine if cancer is actually present in the organs or tissue or to see how extensively it may have spread. However, be aware that use of some devices and procedures may put patients at risk. There are currently lawsuits under way and caused by use of flawed diagnosis and the removal of tissue with power morcellators. This led to the spread of diseased tissue and rapid development of cancer in the patient.

Should your physician indicate surgery is needed, be sure that you are completely clear on what is being done and why. Unless you have had a thorough diagnosis, it may be wise to seek a second opinion to ensure the various uterine cancer types have been entirely ruled out.

If you have had an accurate diagnosis, your cancer will be properly staged and a treatment plan created by your medical team. Staging is a bit complex, but it indicates how advanced your form of uterine cancer has become and whether it has spread to other tissue and/or organs. Stages range from 1A through IVB, and it is always recommended that patients pursue second opinions because of the complexity of uterine cancer diagnosis.

If you feel that you have been improperly diagnosed or have received the incorrect treatment, speak with another physician about uterine cancer types and do not hesitate to get in touch with an attorney. This disease is best treated early and has the best prognosis when handled effectively. You can take action and be sure that your uterine cancer diagnosis is done properly and your health assured.

Source

MDAnderson.org. Uterine Cancer Diagnosis… http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancer-types/uterine-cancer/diagnosis/index.html