The uterus, part of a woman's reproductive system, is a hollow organ that has two layers: the inner layer called the endometrium and the outer layer of muscle called the myometrium. Almost all uterine cancers start in the endometrium and are therefore called endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is most prevalent among post-menopausal women between the ages of 55 and 74. Of the several different types of endometrial cancer, squamous cell endometrial cancer is extremely rare but the treatment is similar for all types.
Types
According to the American Cancer Society, the majority (about 80 percent) of endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas, which are cancers of the cells that form the glands in the endometrium. Squamous cells, which are the flat thin cells commonly found in skin, may also be involved in the tumor. This type of cancer is known as adenocarcinoma with squamous differentiation. Endometrial squamous cell carcinoma is cancer of the skin cells in the endometrial lining and this type of cancer is very rare.
Symptoms
The most prevalent symptom of endometrial squamous cell carcinoma is vaginal bleeding. Since most of the women who develop this cancer are post-menopausal, this symptom alerts the patient that something is wrong, meaning that many of these cancers are found at an early stage making treatment successful. Other symptoms include a non-bloody but abnormal discharge, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and unintentional weight loss.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery is usually the recommended course of treatment for any type of endometrial cancer. A hysterectomy, involving the removal of the uterus and cervix may be performed by either an incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. In addition, most doctors recommend also removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes, called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, the doctor may need to remove neighboring lymph nodes.
Radiation/Chemotherapy
Patients with endometrial squamous cell carcinoma may also need to undergo radiation therapy, which uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells, or chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells. These therapies are most often administered after the surgery to be sure that any remaining cancer cells are treated.
Hormone Therapy
Since many endometrial cancers are caused by excessive estrogen production, the use of hormones can help to fight the cancer, especially when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The most common hormone treatment is synthetic progestin, which works to slow the growth of the endometrial cancer cells. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, prevents the estrogen in the body from promoting the growth of the cancer cells. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may also be given as they inhibit the production of estrogen, therefore lowering the estrogen level.
Tags: cancer cells, endometrial cancer, squamous cell, cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cancer spread, endometrial cancers
