What is the number one presenting symptom of endometrial cancer?
Click to see answer
Postmenopausal bleeding.
Click to see question
What is the number one presenting symptom of endometrial cancer?
Postmenopausal bleeding.
What are some other symptoms of endometrial cancer?
Postcoital bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, haematuria, anaemia, raised platelet count.
What is the referral criteria for a 2-week-wait urgent cancer referral for endometrial cancer?
Postmenopausal bleeding more than 12 months after the last menstrual period.
What investigations are used to diagnose endometrial cancer?
Transvaginal ultrasound, pipelle biopsy, and hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy.
What is the normal endometrial thickness post-menopause as seen in a transvaginal ultrasound?
Less than 4mm.
What is endometrial cancer?
Cancer of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.
What is the FIGO staging system used for?
To stage endometrial cancer.
What percentage of endometrial cancer cases are adenocarcinoma?
Around 80%.
What is the usual treatment for stage 1 and 2 endometrial cancer?
Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH and BSO).
What stimulates the growth of endometrial cancer cells?
Oestrogen.
What additional treatment options may be considered for endometrial cancer?
Radical hysterectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and progesterone as hormonal treatment.
What is a key symptom indicating potential endometrial cancer?
Postmenopausal bleeding.
How does smoking affect oestrogen metabolism?
Oestrogen may be metabolised differently in smokers.
What are the key risk factors for endometrial cancer?
Obesity and diabetes.
What effect does smoking have on menopause?
Smoking destroys oocytes, resulting in an earlier menopause.
What is endometrial hyperplasia?
A precancerous condition involving thickening of the endometrium.
What are the two types of endometrial hyperplasia?
Hyperplasia without atypia and atypical hyperplasia.
What treatment options are available for endometrial hyperplasia?
Progestogens via an intrauterine system or continuous oral progestogens.
What does unopposed oestrogen refer to?
Oestrogen without progesterone.
How does obesity increase the risk of endometrial cancer?
Adipose tissue is a source of oestrogen, which increases cancer risk.
What is the role of Tamoxifen in relation to endometrial cancer?
It has an oestrogenic effect on the endometrium, increasing cancer risk.
What protective factors exist against endometrial cancer?
Combined contraceptive pill, Mirena coil, increased pregnancies, and cigarette smoking.
