Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ in a womans pelvis where a fetus grows. Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus.
Endometrial cancer may develop in breast cancer patients who have been treated with the drug Tamoxifen. It I suggested that the patient taking this drug should have a gynecological examination every year and report any vaginal bleeding as soon as possible. Women taking estrogen alone have also been found to have an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. It has been observed that taking estrogen in combination with progesterone does not increase a womans risk of this cancer.
Possible signs of endometrial cancer include unusual vaginal discharge or pain in the pelvis. Bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation is also common. Difficult or painful urination or dysuria is also common in this kind of disease. Pain during sexual intercourse can also be expected. Pain in the pelvic area is also not uncommon.
Because endometrial cancer begins inside the uterus, it does not usually show up in the results of a Pap test. Because of this, a sample of endometrial tissue must be removed and examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Endometrial biopsy is a process that could be used to diagnose endometrial cancer. It involves the removal of tissue from the endometrium by inserting a thin, flexible tube through the cervix and into the uterus. The tube is being used to gently scrape a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and then remove the tissue samples. The tissue is viewed under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Dilatation and curettage is also another procedure. It is a surgical procedure to remove samples of tissue or the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated and a curette is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy. This procedure is also commonly called a D&C.
There are several stages of endometrial cancer. Stage I cancer is found in the uterus only. The cancer is in stage II, if the cancer has spread from the uterus to the cervix, but not beyond the cervix. In stage III, the cancer has spread beyond the uterus and cervix, but has not spread beyond the pelvis. In stage IV, cancer has spread beyond the pelvis.
Four types of standard treatment are used. Surgery is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. Hysterectomy is one possible procedure. It is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus and cervix. Bilateral salpingo oophorectomy is another surgical procedure. It is a surgical procedure to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes. Radical hysterectomy is another surgical procedure that is done to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina. The ovaries or lymph nodes may also be removed.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy is also done to endometrial cancer patients.
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high energy x rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer.
Hormone therapy is another possible treatment. It is a cancer treatment that removes hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances produced by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. The presence of some hormones can cause certain cancers to grow.

Original Text:
http://www.uhseast.com/145333.cfm