The oncological process leading to the development of malignant neoplasms in the female reproductive system is called uterine adenocarcinoma. Its feature is changes in the endometrium, the upper layer of the uterus. A tumor formed from abnormal cells of the glandular tissue at the beginning of development is formed in the absence of any signs.
What kind of tumor is this?
Compared with oncological tumors originating from muscle tissue, cervical adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of malignant neoplasms. The risk group for such an ailment includes women who have crossed the threshold of forty years of age and those whose age does not exceed sixty-five years. Currently, there is a tendency to increase the incidence of lesions by this type of tumor, as well as to rejuvenate the diseased. About half of all cases are representatives of reproductive age.
In the early stages, the neoplasm responds well to treatment, but the further the process develops, the worse its prognosis becomes.
All this contributes to regular diagnostic examinations and alertness of specialists in relation to this type of oncology.
Development reasons
Today, it is quite difficult for modern medicine to establish the exact causes of the formation of uterine adenocarcinoma. But factors predisposing to tumor development have already been determined by specialists.
This type of cancer is hormone-dependent. Therefore, under the influence of steroid sex hormones, the glandular tissue of the endometrium changes cyclically. Under the influence of estrogen, tissue cells begin to divide intensely and the likelihood of a neoplasm increases significantly.
Also, a risk factor may be such changes in the hormonal background as the late onset of menopause and the early onset of the menstrual period, transferred malignant breast tumors, malfunctions in the endocrine system, prolonged hormone therapy, polycystic ovaries, and diabetes mellitus.
The absence of childbirth, pregnancy and sexual life can also provoke the occurrence of this type of cancer. If a woman is in direct relationship with a patient who has pelvic cancer, then she also goes into a risk group.
Such an ailment can also appear in those who abuse fast food, have bad habits, have experienced toxic effects or harmful working conditions.
Uterine Adenocarcinoma Stage
At the beginning of the oncological process, tumor cells pass from the mucous membrane to the organ wall. If at this stage to diagnose such an ailment and undergo proper treatment, then the guarantee of complete disposal of the disease occurs in almost all cases.
The next stage of this type of cancer is the inclusion of malignant cells in the cervical region. But they still do not pass on to organs located nearby. Successful therapy at this stage is quite favorable, and full recovery is achieved in more than seventy percent of cases.
When diagnosing the next stage of the development of a malignant tumor, the lesion passes to the lymph nodes and adjacent organs. But, despite this, more than half of the cases of diagnosis of uterine adenocarcinoma have a chance of a complete reversal of the disease.
The final stage of the development of a malignant neoplasm affects not only nearby organs, but also causes the spread of metastases. Just over thirty percent of those suffering from this type of cancer can completely get rid of it.
An unfavorable moment in life is the uterine adenocarcinoma found in a patient. The prognosis here will directly depend on the stage of the disease.
Classification
Endometrial oncology has three types, which depend on cell division.
A feature of such a process as highly differentiated uterine adenocarcinoma is the development of glandular tissues in the epithelium. Here, malignant cells have a slight difference from healthy ones. But their nuclei have already mutated and acquired an elongated shape, and also increased in size. The oncological process extends superficially into the myometrium. And the development of complications and the formation of proliferation in the lymph nodes depends on its location.
At this stage, there are no negative consequences, these cases are not considered dangerous, but it is quite difficult to identify the problem and make a diagnosis.
When diagnosing a moderately differentiated uterine adenocarcinoma, the mutated cells become much larger, and the degree of polyformism is higher. Along with the similarity of the course with the type described above, there is a greater likelihood of complications and the onset of metastasis.
Together with lymphatic flow, tumor cells spread throughout the body. The likelihood of developing metastases is small, but in rare cases, they can still appear.
An extremely important task at this stage is the timely determination of the disease and its immediate treatment.
To a low degree, differentiated uterine adenocarcinoma is a combination of cells formed in the form of masses and irregularly shaped bands. Here appear tissues that underwent pathological changes, and the cells have a pronounced polyformism. Significantly increases the risk of developing metastases. Therefore, the chance to get rid of the disease at this stage is not very high.
Most common cancer
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus is characterized by the presence of glandular formations having a tubular shape and consisting of one or more layers of mutated cells. As a result, tissue atypia begins. Very often, this pathology is observed in women with uterine cancer. Stimulation of this malignant formation can be stimulated by estrogen, as well as thickening and proliferation of the endometrium.
The serous form of this type of cancer is considered the most serious. Very often, with such a development of the tumor, early metastases are observed in the membranes of the abdominal cavity.
Basically, this type of malignancy occurs in women after menopause. In comparison with it, secretory uterine adenocarcinoma is much less common, the prognosis of which is very positive.
It is also worth noting and clear cell carcinoma. Due to the fact that it provokes the appearance of early implantation metastasis in the serous membranes of the abdominal cavity, the prognosis of this form is very unfavorable.
Types of tumor localization
A malignant disease that develops in most cases in squamous epithelial cells of the inner lining of the cervix is cervical adenocarcinoma.
It can develop both inside the vagina (exophytic form) and a depression in the neck of the female organ (endophytic form).
This type of cancer does not have pronounced symptoms and discomfort, which makes it extremely dangerous. Therefore, for the timely detection of such tumors, it is necessary to regularly visit specialists.
Uterine carcinoma of the uterus develops in all membranes of this organ. This disease is hormone-dependent and very sensitive to the effects of estrogen. The localization of this type of oncology in half of cases is the bottom of the uterus, and damage to the isthmus and or the entire cavity is less common.
With the further development of the malignant tumor, the mutated cells spread, as a result of which the affected area increases, and metastases cover the entire reproductive system and other organs of the patient.
Representatives of the weaker sex often suffer from this type of cancer before menopause. Histological examination of scraping from the cervical canal will help to detect a neoplasm. It is very difficult to diagnose cases of tumor in the deep layers of tissues.
Symptoms
As a rule, uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma makes itself felt only after the completion of the first stage of the oncological process after damage to the cervical canal. The diseased develops colorless watery discharge, which later becomes bloody. In women of childbearing age, the development of cancer provokes heavy and prolonged menstruation and bleeding between them. And the unexpected return of the cycle in patients with post-climatic age should facilitate an urgent visit to a specialist.
As the oncological process develops in women, the stomach increases, and pains appear in its lower part and lower back. The same sensations arise after sexual intercourse. Sleep is disturbed, body temperature rises unreasonably and fatigue and irritability increase.
A tumor that has spread outside the uterus provokes pain in the perineum, aggravated by urination, sexual intercourse and bowel movement. Particularly pronounced are bleeding after intercourse.
Detection of malignant neoplasms
The initial diagnosis is inspection. Uterine adenocarcinoma is detected by a doctor on palpation. After this, further examination is necessary. The simplest of these is an aspiration biopsy. On an outpatient basis, it can be performed repeatedly, but in the initial stages it does not give results. Even with repeated studies, the probability of finding a pathology at the initial stage is less than half the cases.
This method of instrumental diagnostics, such as ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, allows you to detect enlarged uterine walls, and metastases can be detected at an early stage.
For cytological examination, uterine curettage is performed.
The most promising methods for studying this type of oncology today are hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. During the procedure, a special apparatus called a hysteroscope is introduced for biopsy. This optical device allows you to diagnose from the inside and take individual parts of the tissue to find or absence of mutated cells in them.
Therapy
Specialists choose treatment options for uterine adenocarcinoma depending on the stage of the malignant neoplasm and its form, as well as the age of the diseased, the presence of concomitant pathologies and metastases. In this case, organ-sparing interventions are extremely rare. They can take place only in the very early stages of tumor development in women without children.
At the initial stages (first and second), it is recommended to carry out a surgical intervention (hysterectomy) and completely remove the uterus, and if there are indications, the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes.
After using this method of treatment, a recovery process follows, the duration of which depends on the general condition of the diseased and its individual characteristics. The first few days, women experience general weakness and fatigue, discomfort and pain. Occasionally, constipation and bladder problems can occur. But these feelings are temporary. They disappear with the gradual restoration of the body.
After the operation of uterine adenocarcinoma, the hormonal background changes and the level of female hormones is significantly reduced. As a result, hot flashes and high night sweats, as well as vaginal dryness, can occur. Optimization of hormonal balance occurs with the help of special drugs.
As preoperative preparation and in the postoperative period, radiotherapy is used. With the help of X-rays affecting certain areas of the uterus, the tumor cells are destroyed, and their further development stops. Before using this method, it is necessary to get rid of infectious diseases. After all, after it, a weakened body will not be able to fight bacteria and viruses. The negative consequence of this method is anemia and thrombocytopenia.
Cancer cells can die with chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Special drugs are introduced into the body and correct the hormonal background, reduce the risk of recurrence of uterine adenocarcinoma. There are also drugs available to combat a particular type of cancer.
With a specialist, it is worth discussing traditional medicine methods. But using them as core is unacceptable.
Prevention and Predictions
In order to prevent the disease with this type of cancer, a regular preventive examination of the doctor is necessary. The representatives of the weaker sex, who are at risk, should be especially careful. It is necessary to get rid of inflammatory and precancerous diseases in a timely manner , to avoid casual relationships and to have a full sexual life with one, trusted partner.
It is also necessary to monitor your hormonal background, give birth to children in a timely manner and avoid contact with carcinogens. Equally important is a healthy lifestyle and maintaining optimal body weight.
The most favorable prognosis is revealed by the early stages of the oncological tumor development. They can be eliminated with the help of surgical intervention and the therapy following it. Such treatment is not very severe, and after a year the patient can return to a normal lifestyle.
Much greater difficulties await women in whom such a malignant tumor was detected in the second stage. Due to the fact that the surgical field is larger, the recovery period becomes long and is accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy. As a result, the ability to bear children disappears forever and there is a strong hormonal imbalance, and the therapeutic course is delayed to three years. But even he does not reach the condition preceding the disease. However, life at these stages is preserved in most cases.
The next stage is aggravated by the fact that in addition to the highly metastatic uterus, the vagina or part of it is removed. Full recovery is not possible here even after three years of therapy. But survival at this stage is from ten to sixty percent. At the last stage, only the life of the sick becomes relevant. The greatest probability of a fatal outcome exists precisely at this stage.
All measures to restore the body have a certain positive effect, but further life will still be associated with a large number of aggravating factors.
But do not despair when you discover uterine oncology. Modern medicine allows you to detect it in time and get rid of a malignant formation. The main thing here is not to neglect health and not to delay treatment, especially when every month counts.