Lowest
Possible Cost of Endometrial Cancer Treatment In India
1- Endometrial Cancer - There are many causes
for post-menopausal bleeding, but it is most likely an indicator of endometrial
cancer The warning signs 50-year-old Mrs. Rao was surprised when she noticed
bleeding from her vaginal area. Her periods had stopped about 2 years ago. She
had mild spotting on two earlier occasions, which she had assumed would stop on
its own, but when this did not happen she finally decided to visit her
gynaecologist. Post-menopausal bleeding is a common problem accounting for about
five percent of the OPO attendances to the gynaecologist. Any bleeding 12
months after menopause at normally expected age is considered as abnormal.
Though there are many causes for post- menopausal bleeding, it would be safer
to assume it to be due to cancer until proven otherwise.
2- What is endometrial cancer? Endometrium is
the innermost lining of the uterus (womb). This lining increases in size when
the hormone estrogen in the body increases, and reduces when the hormone
progesterone increases. It plays an important role in implantation of the
embryo after fertilization. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of
uterine cancer. It commonly occurs in women between the ages of 60-70.
Endometrial cancer is different from the more common cervical cancer that
arises in the lower portion of the uterus.
3- Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Risk factors for
endometrial cancer are quite similar to that of breast cancer. This includes
early menarche, late menopause, use of estrogen replacements, obesity and
infertility. The Diagnosis Post-menopausal bleeding is the most common way in
which endometrial cancer presents itself. Premenopausal women who have bleeding
between the periods or extremely long or heavy periods should be suspected of
endometrial cancer. Some other patients may have white or clear vaginal
discharge. The more advanced cases may have pelvic pain. After pelvic
examination, most gynaecologists would order for an abdominal ultrasound. A
thickened irregular endometrium on ultrasound increases the suspicion of
endometrial cancer. When the level of suspicion is high, the next step would be
to obtain a biopsy.
4- •Dilation and curettage
(0 & C) •Endometrial aspiration and biopsy •Hysteroscopy and biopsy The
material removed is sent to a pathologist who either confirms or disproves the
diagnosis of cancer. Once the diagnosis is confirmed the next step would be to
assess the spread of the disease, which is done by investigations like CT scan
or MRI of the abdomen Biopsy is usually done by
5- 1. Cancer which is confined to the uterus would
be stage 2. Cancer which has gone on to the lower part of the uterus called the
cervix would be stage II 3. Cancer which has spread outside the uterus but is
still within the pelvic area would be stage III Depending on the extent of
spread, the stage of the disease is determined:
6- Treatment should be
received preferably in a comprehensive cancer centre where surgery, radiation
and chemotherapy facilities are available. Surgery for endometrial cancer
involves removal of the uterus from the abdomen along with removal of both the
ovaries. Removal of the uterus from the vagina is not acceptable. Hysterectomy
is combined with removal of lymph nodes from the drainage areas. Following
surgery, the removed parts are examined by the pathologist, which helps in
determining the final stage of the disease. Treatment Plan
7- In very early cases (stage I) and when the
tumour is less aggressive, only surgery is sufficient but in higher stages
(stage II or III) or when the tumour is of an aggressive variety, radiation is
recommended. Radiation is of two types, one that is given externally under CT
scan guidance, a procedure known as teletherapy, and the other, in which
radiation is given internally on the residual portion of the vagina by placing
wires, a procedure known as brachytherapy. On quite a few occasions when the
disease has already spread to the lymphnodes, it may be necessary to combine
radiation with chemotherapy. A few patients may be in the advanced stage of
disease, which has spread to liver, lungs or elsewhere in the abdomen. In this
case the options would be either to give chemotherapy with limited benefit or
to just offer symptomatic treatment without doing anything specific for the
disease. On the whole, for patients like Mrs. Rao and many other women, maximum
benefit of treatment can be given when they identify any abnormal vaginal
bleeding or discharge and seek prompt medical attention for it. When detected
at an early stage and promptly treated, the outcome is excellent and the
patients can lead a normal life. Treatment Plan
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