There are two main types of cancer of the uterus, uterine sarcomas and endometrial carcinomas. Endometrium cancer begins when the tissues of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) begin to grow out of control.1 There are many subtypes of endometrial cancer based on the histology of the cells. Endometrial cancer is furthermore, graded based on how much the cancer forms and glands that have the similar morphology of healthy and normal endometrium glands.2 Endometrial Cancer primarily affects woman of postmenopausal age and some of the risk factors include, things that affect hormone levels, like taking estrogen after menopause, birth control pills, or tamoxifen; the number of menstrual cycles (over a lifetime), pregnancy, obesity, certain ovarian tumors, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, use of an intrauterine device, age, diet and exercise, diabetes, family history (having close relatives with endometrial or colorectal cancer, having been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer in the past, having been diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia in the past and treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis to treat another cancer. 3
The four basic treatments for endometrial cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.4 Expanding on treatment, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests the anti-diabetic class, biguanides, may have effective anti-cancer properties against endometrial cancer. 2 The three drugs included in this class are
If you are at increased risk for endometrial cancer, you may need to have these tests more often than normal. You are at increased risk if:
Therefore, the scope of information provided is limited to essential information directly related the purpose providing women facts about endometriosis. The facts are brief enough to what the health consumer can reasonably learn in the time allowed. The headings are clearly stated which makes the information provided on this pamphlet easy to follow and promotes learning and interaction among women. This information can aid women to understand about their diagnosis and empower them to make an informed decision. 1,2,2
Uterine leiomyoma also known as uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors in women during childbearing age. The tumors come from smooth muscle cells of the myometrium within the uterus that changes in size and cellular properties during the reproductive years of a woman. The change in size and cellular property with hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells normally happen during pregnancy and also occur with uterine fibroids. The development of the tumors is dependent upon estrogen and progesterone and interaction with growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix components (Taylor, Holthouser,
There are many disorders that a female can go through from just the reproductive system. The one I am going to describe is called Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue appears outside the endometrial cavity. Endometrial tissue is found in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and the uterus. This condition affects about 40% to 60% of women in the United States. Women who have this disorder may experience painful menstruation, displaced tissue bleeds each month and forms endometrial crust, in which can cause the development of endometrial cysts. The cyst can rupture and cause future reproduction of tissue.
Infertility and ovarian cancer are very serious problems that can be developed in women with endometriosis. Infertility is the main problem associated with endometriosis. It can be a major setback for seemingly healthy couples that want to start a family. “Endometriosis is associated with infertility in 30-40% of sufferers (World Endometriosis, 2011)” “The presence of endometriosis may involve masses of tissue or scarring (adhesions) within the pelvis that may distort normal anatomical structures, such as Fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries. Alternatively, endometriosis may affect fertility through the production of hormones and other substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo” (MedicineNet, 2013). Although
Women have some special needs when it comes to taking care of our bodies and knowing when something is not right. It is better to be safe and look into something that doesn’t seem or feel right instead of thinking it is going to pass on in time. Women can get many different infections and cancers. Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in women and breast cancer is the number one leading cancer in women. Women must educate themselves, and frequently assess their bodies of symptoms, marks, or lumps of these types of issues so they can be treated early on.
Endometrial cells that shed during menstruation are transported through the fallopian tubes and enter the pelvis, attaching to pelvic structures. Cells can travel outside the pelvis through the lymphatic and blood vessels, during menstruation this tissue responds to hormonal changes and bleeding which can cause inflammation to the surrounding tissue. Inflammation can lead to fibrosis, and fibrosis leads to adhesions that can be painful. (docucare, 2017) Menorrhagia can occur with endometriosis because of the hormone build up caused by the thicken of the uterine wall. (Mayo Clinic 2017)
Today a major public health concern amongst women is cancer. Breast cancer is the most common as it affects one in eight women in America, and is also socialized through media more than any other cancerous disease. Uterine cancer accounts for the majority of gynecologic cancer in women but another cancer is known as the “silent killer”. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer causes more cancer deaths in women than any other cancer of the reproductive system. Ovarian cancer kills two out of three women diagnosed in America and rates have not changed in 30 years (Burges). Although ovarian cancer show more symptoms than any other gynecological cancer, it continues to be a top cancer killer in women, which result from a lack
This type of cancer can be in many parts near or around the cervix. Ovarian Epithelial cancer starts in the epithelial cover that protects the reproductive organs. This type is easily spread because this covering is in several parts of this area (American Cancer Society, 2017). Peritoneum cancer begins in the peritoneum and is passed to the ovaries and cervix. Fallopian tube cancer also begins in a distal part of the region but spreads to the surrounding areas. Some parts of the areas affected can be more easily removed than others.
Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connect the body of the uterus to the vagina. It is made up of two parts: the endocervix and the exocervix. The endocervix is covered by glandular cells and the part of the cervix closest to the uterus. The excocervix is covered in squamous tissue and is the part of the cervix closest to the vagina. The squamous and glandular cells meet at the transformation zone and this is where most cervical cancer. There are 3 types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and adenosquamous carcinomas. Up to nine out of ten cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinomas and starts in the exocervix. Adenocarcinomas develops in the
Endometriosis is a medical disease that affects one out of ten premenopausal women. A dilemma doctors and women encounter is that most women do not know they have it until faced with symptoms, like dysmenorrhea and infertility, arise or they undergo abdominal surgery. Endometriosis can only be accurately diagnosed by direct visualization of endometrium fragments. Endometriosis occurs in the body when fragments of endometrium are found outside of the uterus and on other parts of the pelvis. The disease is not only difficult to verify but also difficult to treat. Since there is no cure, treatments for endometriosis range from pain management with combinations of oral contraceptives and hormonal therapy to removal of endometrium and in severe
There are several types of cancer that are normally found in women, which include breast, cervical, ovarian, vaginal, and colon cancer. As a woman, you need to know the warning signs of each of those diseases to be able to prevent them from occurring. If you experience any of these symptoms and you suspect that you might have cancer, you should see a doctor immediately. Chances are, you might not have it, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Etiology: uterine tumor is caused by excess estrogen from two different sources first one is exogenous sources such as replacement therapy of estrogen or tamoxifen use. Endogenous sources like obesity ]1[ and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with an ovulatory cycles, or tumors that secrete estrogen such as granulose cell tumors.[2] The symptoms: [3] uncommon bleeding of vaginal or discharge, dysuria, pain in Pelvic region, Pain during , Weight loss and pain during sexual contact . Diagnosis: 1) a uterine biopsy, dilatation and curettage, 2) using specialized viewing scopes to that detect the tumor of the uterus and tissues that surround it by observing the reproductive tract, digestive tract, and urinary tract.3) Internal imaging procedures, X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).After diagnosis, determine its stage to indicate the progression of the cancer. First stage cancer is located within uterus, while second stage tumor spread to the cervix. Then in Stage three malignancy spreading to vagina, lymph nodes present in the same region, or peritoneum. Stage four cancer spread to different organs such as the bone, lungs, bladder or digestive tract. After
Endometriosis is a common condition1 recognised by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. This tissue is then found in a variety of sites such as the ovaries, the outside surface of the uterus, the cervix, the abdominal wall, the sigmoid colon and the urinary bladder.2 It is unknown what exactly causes endometriosis but it is thought to occur when some cells from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) travel outside the uterus via the uterine tubes during a period3. Even outside the womb, these cells, will still respond to the presence of hormonal oestrogen each month and with each menstrual cycle the cells will multiply, swell and break down in similar fashion to the endometrial cells inside the uterus.2 As the cells are in the pelvic cavity rather than the uterus, they cannot escape during the period and instead form patches of tissue called
Today in the world there are many different types of reproductive cancers. A reproductive cancer I’m going to be writing about is Breast cancer. Yes, its Breast Cancer. According to American Cancer Society (2017) Breast cancer is “Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into (invade)surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get cancer too (pg.1). Although Breast cancer first start in the breast, it can also start from other places surrounding that tissue or area.