Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Treatment of Cancer of the uterus

The specialists treating you will first find out what ‘stage’ your cancer is. This means how advanced the cancer is, how fast it is growing, and if it has spread to other parts of your body. This will help them decide on the best course of treatment for you.

If caught at an early stage, endometrial cancer can be cured in most cases by removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes (the tubes leading to the ovaries) and the ovaries. This is called a hysterectomy. Younger women who have not had the menopause, and want to have children may be offered an alternative operation so they can keep one ovary. This may, or may not be possible.

After this operation, you may have treatment with radiotherapy to try to stop the cancer coming back. This is called adjuvant radiotherapy. You may also have hormone treatment with progesterone, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate or megestrol. These come in tablet or injection form. Side effects are not serious but may include water retention, or feeling sick. Some women may have radiotherapy instead of surgery, but this is not common, it is usually only if your cancer is very advanced, or you are unable to have surgery for any reason.

In some cases the cancer is not caught early and it spreads to other parts of the body, which will need to be treated as well. The outlook is not as good in this case. You may have treatment with the hormone progesterone to stop the cancer growing any bigger.

Although uncommon, some women also have chemotherapy if their endometrial cancer is fairly advanced, has come back, or is not responding to other treatment

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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