- Endometrial stomal sarcoma: develops in the stoma (the supporting connective
tissue) of the endometrium (1).
-
Uterine
leiomyosarcoma: starts in the muscular wall of the uterus (1).
-
Uterine carcino sarcomas:
starts in the endometrium, has features of both
sarcomas and carcinomas (1).
Approximately
40,000 cases are diagnosed each year.
RISK FACTORS:
- Prior
pelvic radiation therapy: the high energy radiation used to treat some cancers
can damage the DNA of the cells, therefore it can increase the risk of
developing uterine cancer.
-
Race: only
with leimyosarcoma (more African American women are affected).
-
Age -
usually middle age or elderly women are affected.
-
Obesity
-
Certain
types of estrogen replacement
-
Treating
breast cancer with Tamoxifin
-
Infertility
-
Diabetes
-
Periods
before 12 or menopause after 52 are also factors (1).
CAUSES:
Doctors do not know an exact cause yet, but certain
risk factors that some scientists have recently learned about cause changes
in the DNA of certain genes that occur when normal uterine cells develop
into sarcoma.(1)
TREATMENT:
-
Hysterectomy: if more organs are involved
or tissue in the pelvic cavity they would be removed also, as well as possible
bladder, rectum, vagina, and part of the colon.
-
Radiation treatment, this can be external or internal.
-
chemotherapy
-
A patient would be referred to a gynecological-oncologist
for staging of the cancer. Staging goes from 0-10 with 0 being pre-
cancerous and to stage 10 when it has invaded other organs. this is done
to see how far the cancer has spread (3).
-
Each case is individualized and it is best to talk with your
doctor.
PREVENTION:
-
Most uterine cancer cannot be prevented
however, if you are post menopausal or have abnormal bleeding you should
see a Doctor. (3)
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