Surgery (removing the cancer in an operation) is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. The following surgical procedures may be used:
-
Total hysterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the
uterus, including the
cervix. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through the
vagina, the operation is called a vaginal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a large
incision (cut) in the
abdomen, the operation is called a total
abdominal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen using a
laparoscope, the operation is called a total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
-
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A surgical procedure to
remove both
ovaries and both
fallopian tubes.
-
Radical hysterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, or nearby
lymph nodes may also be removed.
Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given
radiation therapy or
hormone treatment after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after the surgery, to increase the chances of a cure, is called
adjuvant therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses
drugs to stop the growth of cancer
cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or
injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the
spinal column, an
organ, or a body cavity such as the
abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and
stage of the cancer being treated.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy
x-rays or other types of
radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy.
External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer.
Internal radiation therapy uses a
radioactive substance sealed in needles,
seeds, wires, or
catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that removes
hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances produced by
glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. The presence of some hormones can cause certain cancers to grow. If tests show that the cancer cells have places where hormones can attach (receptors), drugs, surgery, or radiation therapy are used to reduce the production of hormones or block them from working.
Treatment Options by Stage
Stage I Endometrial Cancer - Treatment
Treatment of
stage I endometrial cancer may include the following:
-
Surgery (total
abdominal
hysterectomy and
bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).
Lymph nodes in the
pelvis and
abdomen may also be removed for examination under a microscope to check for
cancer
cells.
- Surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without removal of lymph
nodes in the pelvis and abdomen) followed by
internal radiation therapy or
external radiation therapy to the pelvis. After surgery, a plastic cylinder containing a source of
radiation may be placed in the
vagina to kill any remaining cancer cells.
-
Radiation therapy alone for patients who cannot have surgery.
-
Clinical trials of radiation therapy and/or
chemotherapy.
This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the
NCI Web site.
Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with
stage I uterine corpus cancer.
Stage II Endometrial Cancer - Treatment
Treatment of
stage IIA endometrial cancer is usually a combination of
therapies, including
internal and
external radiation therapy and
surgery.
Stage IIA Treatment
Treatment of
stage IIA endometrial cancer may include the following:
-
Surgery (total
abdominal
hysterectomy and
bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).
Lymph nodes in the
pelvis and
abdomen may also be removed for examination under a
microscope to check for
cancer
cells.
- Surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without removal of lymph
nodes in the pelvis and abdomen) followed by
internal radiation therapy or
external radiation therapy to the pelvis. After surgery, a plastic cylinder containing a source of
radiation may be placed in the
vagina to kill any remaining cancer cells.
-
Radiation therapy alone for patients who cannot have surgery.
-
Clinical trials of radiation therapy and/or
chemotherapy.
This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the
NCI Web site.
Stage IIB Treatment
Treatment of
stage IIB endometrial cancer may include the following:
-
Surgery (total
abdominal
hysterectomy,
bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and removal of
lymph nodes in the
pelvis and
abdomen for examination under a microscope to check for
cancer
cells) followed by
radiation therapy.
-
Internal radiation therapy and
external radiation therapy, followed by surgery
(hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and
removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen for
examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells).
- Surgery (radical
hysterectomy with or without removal of lymph nodes in
the pelvis for examination under a microscope to check for
cancer cells).
Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical
Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with
stage II uterine corpus cancer.
Stage III Endometrial Cancer - Treatment
Treatment of
stage III endometrial cancer may include the following:
