Uterine cancer, or cancer of the uterine body, develops in the body of the uterus. It is the fourth most common cancer in women, affecting mainly women after the menopause.
Uterine sarcomasThese cancers develop in the muscular part of the uterus. Imagine the uterus as a pouch whose wall is made of a thick muscle. It is in this muscle that sarcomas develop. Several types are distinguished:
Several factors can increase the risk:
Treatment is personalised according to:
Uterine cancer manifests itself mainly as abnormal vaginal bleeding. After the menopause, any loss of blood, however small, should be considered abnormal and requires a prompt consultation. Before the menopause, be attentive to changes in your periods: bleeding that becomes irregular or particularly heavy should alert you. Other signs may also appear, such as pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic pain) or unusual vaginal discharge.
The diagnosis relies on several examinations:
The whole uterus is removed, including the cervix, to make sure that no cancer cells remain. This removal can be performed by different routes depending on your situation:
• By laparoscopy: a minimally invasive technique with small incisions in the abdomen
• By conventional abdominal surgery: necessary in certain specific cases
The ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed, because they can be a site of cancer spread. In women who have not reached the menopause, this removal will cause an immediate menopause that will be medically supported.
The lymph nodes of the pelvis are removed and analysed to check whether the cancer has spread there. This information is crucial for adapting the rest of the treatment.
Depending on the characteristics of your cancer, other treatments may be necessary:
Radiotherapy: It uses radiation to destroy cancer cells that may have remained after surgery. It can be given in two ways:
Chemotherapy: This drug treatment circulates throughout the body to destroy cancer cells. It is offered in certain situations:
The choice and order of these treatments are always discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting to offer you the strategy best suited to your situation.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly after the menopause, is the most common sign. Any loss of blood after the menopause should prompt a rapid consultation.
In women who have not reached the menopause, removal of the ovaries causes an immediate menopause. The operation has no impact on intimate life after the healing period.
Radiotherapy is not painful during the sessions, but it can cause side effects (fatigue, local irritation) that will be monitored and managed by the medical team.
After the healing period (around 6-8 weeks), you will be able to resume an intimate life. The operation does not alter sensation or pleasure, but there may be a period of adjustment. Do not hesitate to discuss this with your medical team.
It is normal to feel fatigue and mood changes during and after the treatments. Psychological support can be beneficial in getting through this period. Professionals are there to accompany you.
If you had not reached the menopause, removal of the ovaries will cause menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, mood changes, etc.). Hormone replacement therapy can be discussed with your doctor depending on your situation.
Effectiveness is assessed through regular examinations during and after the treatments. Your medical team will explain the results of each examination to you and adapt the follow-up accordingly.
Many associations offer valuable support and guidance throughout your journey. Click here to discover a selection of patient associations that can accompany you.
