Uterine Cancer or Endometrial Cancer

Uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer meaning the cancer which originates in female reproductive system.

It develops in the uterus body which is a hollow organ located in the lower abdomen also called as the womb where the fetal development occurs.

The uterus is lined by two layers the outer being the endometrium and the inner myometium. The uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer usually begins in the endometrium. This cancer usually occurs after the after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70.

This uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in American women. After the other most common cancer sin women like the breast, lung and the colon, the uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer affecting the women. According to the statistics it is estimated that about 40,000 American women are diagnosed each year with this cancer.

Fortunately the uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer has a great chance of early detection because it frequently produces vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause. Thus the chances of recovery or the prognosis is very good.

If this disease is detected early when it is confined to the uterus it can be very well treated with 90% chances of successful cure. Besides these facts uterine cancer is reported or diagnosed in advances stages in many cases due to which 7,000 American women die per annum.

Uterine Cancer or Endometrial Cancer Prognosis and Survival Rate

The prognosis usually refers to the likely outcome or the chances of recovery from Uterine Cancer or the endometrial cancer. Based on several factors the prognosis is predicted for example since how long the patient is suffering from this cancer, probability of complications of Uterine Cancer, the outcomes, death rates, prospects for recovery, recovery period, survival rates and other outcome possibilities. However it is very difficult to predict the prognosis as this differs from patient to patient.

The prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer, overall health of the patient and the treatment (Uterine Cancer Treatment) given. The Five-year survival rates for uterine cancer or the endometrial cancer can be given according to the stages for example the stage I patients have a chance of survival rate up to 90%, for stage II: 70% to 85%, for stage III: 50% and for stage IV: 10% to 30%

Uterine Cancer Prevention

There are certain preventive measures which can be taken to reduce the risk of developing the uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. Some of the risk factors which can be controlled and prevented are taking hormone therapy (HT) with progestin.

Generally people with menopausal problems undergo estrogen replacement therapy in which the estrogen is stimulated but if a combination of progesterone hormone is taken along with this estrogen the chances of developing this cancer are lowered.

According to the studies it is confirmed that women who take oral contraceptives or use birth control pills are at low risk for developing the uterine caner or endometrial cancer.

Being over weight or obese is one of the major risk factor for developing the uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. Therefore to maintain a healthy weight is always better to reduce the risk for developing the disease. This is explained as heavy fat results in increased levels of estrogen in the body which is responsible for uterine cancer or endometrial cancer.