Endometrial cancer is, debatably, the most common type of cancer that affects the reproductive system of women. It is a cancer of the endometrium, which is the scientific name of the uterus lining. Usually, endometrial cancer is seen in women who have passed the menopause phase of their life because the bodily changes often result in the formation of abnormal cells in the uterine lining. The fortunate aspect of endometrial cancer is that it is, in the majority of cases, diagnosed early.
The diagnosis of endometrial cancer is done in two phases with one being endometrial biopsy, which is biopsy of tissue sample from the endometrium and the other being Dilation and Curettage, which is mainly used if the first test is inconclusive.
If endometrial cancer is diagnosed, then the extremely important phase of endometrial cancer staging begins. The staging process, in simplest of terms, is a process where the extent of cancer is determined. On the basis of how much the cancer has spread within the uterus and even beyond into the body, it is classified into a stage. There are three technical criteria that are used in the endometrial cancer staging process. These are:
Endometrial Cancer Staging
October 8th, 2012 by Dr.Taylor No comments »Endometrial Cancer Overview
September 26th, 2012 by Dr.Taylor No comments »Endometrial cancer or simply “uterine cancer” as it is commonly known the most common forms of cancer that affects female reproductive organs. It is estimated that 1 in every 40 women in America are directly or indirectly affected by endometrial cancer. On the positive end, it is curable and currently its survival rate stands at 95%. Medical experts choose to name it endometrial cancer with reference to carcinoma which starts in the endometrium, an inner lining of the uterus. The cancer cells responsible for this condition fall under two categories:
Those will a normal appearance; these develop gradually and are less likely to spread easily.Those that quickly spread and are able to grow fast.
Symptoms and other important factors
Below are some of the symptoms of endometrial cancer:
i. Development of spots or unusual bleeding in the vagina especially after menopause.
ii. Frequent vaginal discharge
iii. Difficulty in urinating
iv. Pelvic pains and pains during intercourse
v. Significant weight loss over a short period of time
» Read more: Endometrial Cancer Overview
What is Endometrium
September 23rd, 2012 by Dr.Taylor No comments »What is endometrium? Have you bothered to know what this word means?
The innermost lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. It is glandular in nature and vital in keeping the opposite walls of the myometrium (middle uterine wall layer) apart in order to maintain the functional patency of the uterus. The endometrium thickens, gets richer in blood vessels, and develops a layer of glandular tissue during the menstrual follicular phase in preparation for the implantation of arriving blastocysts at the uterus.
The endometrium is detected by ultrasound scanners as a centrally echogenic gland of about 6.7 mm thickness. If conception occurs, this uterine lining undergoes a number of changes referred to as decidualization. The endometrial blood vessels and glands develop further and increase both in number and size. The spaces between vessels fuse and interconnect into the placenta. The fetus derived placenta invades the endometrium in order to allow supply of nutrients and oxygen to the embryo and the fetus, from the mother. However, when conception fails this lining breaks down and is shed off through a cycle called menstrual (or estrous cycle in other mammals) cycle. » Read more: What is Endometrium
Endometrial Biopsy Side Effects
August 22nd, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »Sometimes a doctor will want to perform a endometrial biopsy. This is a procedure that is used to obtain a piece of the endometrium, which is a tissue that lines the uterus. A tiny piece is remove and analyzed to determine all sorts of factors including whether or not a certain medication is working, what the cause of infertility might be and other problems. The Endometrial biopsy is a painful procedure while it is being conducted, even if the doctor uses a anesthetic agent on the inside of the uterus and many people report that they also experience side effects from the procedure as well.
Endometrial Biopsy Side Effects
Probably the most common side effect that is reported as the result of an endometrial biopsy is the pain afterward. This usually comes in the form of cramping, and will usually last several hours after the procedure, but may continue for several days. Doctors will usually prescribe some sort of narcotic pain medication as a result of this procedure, because so many report pain afterward. The level of discomfort is different for each person that undergoes the procedure, but usually the cramping is similar to that of menstrual cramping and can be dealt with.
Another symptom that people often experience after an endometrial biopsy is spasms in the uterus, which are similar to cramps. However, one of the positive things about these spasms is that they do subside fairly soon after the procedure is over. » Read more: Endometrial Biopsy Side Effects
Endometrial Biopsy Pain
June 4th, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »An endometrial biopsy is a procedure that your doctor will perform to get a sample of the tissue that lines your uterus, called the endometrium. This technique removes a tiny piece of tissue from the lining of the womb and it is then analyzed in a lab for the tests that the doctor has ordered. A pathologist will usually test for diseases of anything else that the doctor has requested. An Endrometrial Biopsy can be a painful procedure, with pain experienced while the procedure is being conducted, and afterward after it has ended. Doctors may use lidocain during the procedure and prescribe pain pills afterward.
There are a few different reasons that a doctor might order an endrometrial biopsy to be performed. Often, it is to help determine why the uterus is bleeding, but it can also be done to help determine the cause of infertility, or to test the uterus for infections. Also, some medications that are given have to be tested using an endometrial biopsy to determine whether or not they are effective. The previous procedure that found out these answers was called a dilation and curettage, more commonly known as a D&C and it was more complex and required extensive preparation. Unlike that procedure, an endometrial biopsy can be performed right in your doctor’s office. » Read more: Endometrial Biopsy Pain
Endometrial Biopsy
May 4th, 2011 by Dr.Taylor No comments »An Endometrial Biopsy is a procured that women go through. It is completed by taking a sample of the tissue that lines the uterus, and then examined under a microscope for any abnormalities or signs of cancerous cells. The test is usually performed without anesthesia but not every time, and it is done in stirrups like many other female examinations. Patients will usually not experience any major pain when undergoing this procedure but they may want to take an over the counter painkiller to counteract minor cramping. There may also be a pinch when the sample is collected.
How an Endometrial Biopsy is Performed
Endometrial Biopsy
This exam is usually performed by your doctor, who will insert a speculum into the vagina so that it will stay open, and they will be able to see the cervix. The health care professional will clean the cervix with antiseptic and then grab it with a tenaculum so that the uterus is steady. If the cervical canal is not wide enough, or if there is tightness a cervical dilator might be used to stretch the canal. A very small plastic tube is inserted into the uterine cavity and suction will removed a sample of the inside of the cervix. Then, the tissue samples are passed onto the lab. » Read more: Endometrial Biopsy