How can I prevent uterine cancer? There is no known way to prevent uterine cancer.

But these things have been shown to lower the chance of getting uterine cancer: Using birth control pills.

Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.

Taking progesterone (the other female hormone) if you are taking estrogen to replace hormones during menopause.

Cure or Treatment Uterine cancer is treated by one or a combination of treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Surgery
-is the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue during an operation. -First treatment used for uterine cancer.

1. Simple hysterectomy - removal of the body of the uterus and cervix 2. Radical hysterectomy - removal of the uterus, cervix, the upper part of the vagina, and nearby tissues - In this operation, the entire uterus, the tissues next to the uterus (parametrium and uterosacral ligaments), and the upper part of the vagina (next to the cervix) are all removed. 3. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - This operation removes both fallopian tubes and both ovaries. - usually done at the same time the uterus is removed (either by simple hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy) to treat endometrial cancers. Removing both ovaries means that you will go into menopause if you have not done so already.

Hysterectomy may be performed as a traditional surgery (with one large incision) or by laparoscopy, which uses several smaller incisions. a camera and instruments are inserted through small, keyhole incisions. The surgeon then directs the robotic instruments to remove the uterus, cervix, and surrounding tissue.

Radiation therapy
is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. A radiation therapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time. 1. External-beam radiation therapy - The most common type of radiation treatment which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. 2. Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy - When radiation treatment is given using implants - By injecting a small amount of radioactive material directly into the tumor.

Side effects from radiation therapy: Fatigue mild skin reactions upset stomach loose bowel movements

Additional: Advise patients not to have sexual intercourse during radiation therapy. Women may resume normal sexual activity within a few weeks after treatment if they feel ready.

Chemotherapy
is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells ability to grow and divide. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive one drug at a time or combinations of different drugs at the same time.

Chemotherapy may be used:

as the primary treatment for recurrent uterine cancer to destroy cancer cells after surgery to destroy cancer cells left behind and to reduce the risk of the cancer recurring (adjuvant chemotherapy) to relieve pain or to control the symptoms of advanced uterine cancer (palliative chemotherapy) Endometrial carcinoma The most common chemotherapy drugs used to treat endometrial carcinoma are:

doxorubicin (Adriamycin) cisplatin (Platinol AQ) carboplatin (Paraplatin, Paraplatin AQ) ifosfamide (Ifex) paclitaxel (Taxol) docetaxel (Taxotere) The most common chemotherapy combinations used to treat endometrial carcinoma are:

cisplatin and doxorubicin paclitaxel and doxorubicin carboplatin and docetaxel carboplatin and paclitaxel cisplatin, paclitaxel and doxorubicin Carcinosarcoma may be treated with cisplatin and ifosfamide, with or without paclitaxel.

Uterine sarcoma The most common chemotherapy drugs used to treat uterine sarcoma are:

doxorubicin ifosfamide cisplatin paclitaxel docetaxel gemcitabine (Gemzar) The most common chemotherapy combinations used to treat uterine sarcoma are:

cisplatin and doxorubicin doxorubicin and ifosfamide docetaxel and gemcitabine Goal of Chemotherapy Is to destroy cancer remaining after surgery, slow the tumor's growth, or reduce side effects. Although chemotherapy can be given orally (by mouth), most drugs used to treat uterine cancer are given intravenously (IV). IV chemotherapy is either injected directly into a vein or through a catheter (a thin tube inserted into a vein). Side effects chemotherapy: Fatigue risk of infection nausea and vomiting loss of appetite Diarrhea Inability to become pregnant Early menopause. Hearing loss Kidney damage

Hormone therapy
is used to slow the growth of uterine cancer cells involves the sex hormone progesterone, given in a pill form Other hormone therapies: tamoxifen (Nolvadex) aromatase inhibitors (AIs) such as anastrozole (Arimidex) letrozole (Femara) exemestane (Aromasin).

An AI is a drug that reduces the amount of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body by stopping tissues and organs other than the ovaries from producing it. Side effects of hormone therapy: fluid retention increase in appetite Weight gain. Women in their childbearing years may have changes in their menstrual cycle.

Treatment options by stage

Stage I

Surgery Surgery and radiation therapy Hormone therapy Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

Stage II

Surgery and radiation therapy Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

Stage III

Surgery and radiation therapy Surgery and chemotherapy Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

Stage IV

Surgery Radiation therapy Hormone therapy

Chemotherapy Stage-adjusted survival rates 5-year survival >75% 60% 30% 10%

Stage I II III IV