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 is this tumor?
Compared to oncological tumors originating from muscle tissue, adenocarcinoma of the cervix 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 and those whose age does not exceed sixty-five years. Currently, there is a tendency to increase the incidence of lesions of this type of tumor, as well as to the rejuvenation of the diseased. About half of all cases are women of reproductive age.
In the early stages, the neoplasm is not badtreatable, but the further the process develops, the worse its prognosis becomes.
All this contributes to regular diagnostic examinations and the alertness of specialists in relation to this type of oncology.
Reason for development
To date, it is quite difficult for modern medicine to establish the exact causes of the formation of uterine adenocarcinoma. But the factors predisposing to the development of a tumor have already been identified 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 intensively and the likelihood of neoplasms increases significantly.
Also, hormonal changes such as late onset of menopause and early onset of menstruation, previous malignant breast tumors, disruptions in the endocrine system, long-term hormone therapy, polycystic ovaries, diabetes mellitus can become a risk factor.
The absence of childbirth, pregnancy and sexual life can also provoke the occurrence of this type of cancer. If a woman is directly related to a patient who has pelvic cancer, then she also goes into the risk group.
Such an ailment can also appear in those who abuse fast food, have bad habits, experienced toxic effects or harmful working conditions.
Stages of uterine adenocarcinoma
At the beginning of the oncological process, tumor cells move from the mucous membrane to the wall of the organ. If at this stage such an ailment is diagnosed and properly treated, then the guarantee of complete relief from 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 to the organs located nearby. Successful therapy at this stage is quite favorable, and complete 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 diagnosed with uterine adenocarcinoma have a chance for a complete retreat 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. Slightly more than thirty percent of those suffering from this type of cancer can completely get rid of it.
An unfavorable moment in life is the discovery of uterine adenocarcinoma in a patient. The prognosis here will directly depend on the stage of the disease.
Classification
Endometrial cancer has three types that depend on cell division.
A feature of such a process as highly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the uterus is the development of glandular tissues in the epithelium. Here, malignant cells still have a slight difference from he althy ones. But their nuclei have already mutated and acquired an elongated shape, as well as increased in size. The oncological process spreads superficially to the myometrium. And the development of complications and the formation of growths in the lymph nodes depend 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, there are much more mutated cells, and the degree of their polymorphism 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 the flow of lymph, tumor cells spread throughout the body. The likelihood of metastases developing is small, but in rare cases they can still appear.
The most important task at this stage is the timely identification of the disease and its immediate treatment.
Poorly differentiated uterine adenocarcinoma is a combination of massed cells and irregular bands. Here, tissues that have undergone pathological changes appear, and cells have pronounced polymorphism. Significantly increases the risk of 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 that have a tubular shape and consist of one or more layers of mutatedcells. As a result, tissue atypia begins. Very often this pathology is observed in women with uterine cancer. Stimulation of estrogen, as well as thickening and growth of the endometrium, can provoke the appearance of this malignant formation.
The serous form of this type of cancer is considered the most serious. Very often, with such a tumor development, early metastases are observed in the membranes of the abdominal cavity.
Basically, this type of malignancy occurs in women after menopause. In comparison, secretory adenocarcinoma of the uterus is much less common, the prognosis of which is very positive.
Also worth noting is 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 by tumor location
A malignant disease that develops in most cases in the squamous cells of the epithelium of the inner lining of the cervix is adenocarcinoma of the cervix.
It can develop both inside the vagina (exophytic form) and deepening into the canal of the neck of the female organ (endophytic form).
This type of cancer has no pronounced symptoms and discomfort, which makes it extremely dangerous. Therefore, for the timely detection of this kind of tumors, it is necessary to visit specialists regularly.
Adenocarcinoma of the uterine body develops in all membranes of this organ. Thethe disease is hormone-dependent and very sensitive to the effects of estrogen. The localization of this type of oncology in half of the cases is the fundus of the uterus, and the defeat of the isthmus and or the entire cavity is less common.
With the further development of a malignant tumor, 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.
Suffer from this type of cancer most often the fairer sex before the onset of menopause. A histological examination of a scraping from the cervical canal will help to detect a neoplasm. It is very difficult to diagnose cases of tumor occurrence in deep tissue layers.
Symptoms
As a rule, adenocarcinoma of the endometrium of the uterus makes itself felt only after the completion of the first stage of the oncological process after the defeat of the cervical canal. The patient develops a 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 postclimatic age should contribute to an urgent visit to a specialist.
As the oncological process develops, the belly increases in women, and pains appear in its lower part and lower back. The same sensations arise after sexual intercourse. Sleep is disturbed, body temperature rises for no reason, and fatigue and irritability increase.
A tumor that has spread outside the uterus causespain in the perineum, aggravated by urination, sexual intercourse and bowel movements. Bleeding after intercourse is especially pronounced.
Detection of a malignant neoplasm
The initial diagnosis is an inspection. Adenocarcinoma of the uterus is detected by the doctor during 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 will not give results. Even with repeated examinations, the probability of finding pathology at the initial stage is less than half of the cases.
Such a method of instrumental diagnostics as an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs allows you to detect enlarged walls of the uterus, and metastases can be detected at an early stage.
Uterine curettage is performed for cytological examination.
To date, the most promising methods for studying this type of oncology are hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. During the biopsy procedure, a special device called a hysteroscope is inserted. This optical device allows you to diagnose from the inside and take separate parts of the tissue to find or not mutated cells in them.
Therapy
Experts choose treatment options for uterine adenocarcinoma depending on the stage of the malignant neoplasm and its form, as well as the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant pathologies and metastases. At the same time, extremelyorgan-preserving interventions are rare. They can occur only in the very early stages of tumor development in women who do not have children.
In the initial stages (first and second), it is recommended to perform a surgical intervention (hysterectomy) and completely remove the uterus, and, if indicated, 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 patient and her individual characteristics. The first few days, women experience general weakness and fatigue, discomfort and pain. Sometimes constipation and bladder problems can occur. But these feelings are temporary. They disappear along with the gradual restoration of the body.
After the operation of uterine adenocarcinoma, the hormonal background changes and the level of female hormones decreases significantly. 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 preparations.
Radiotherapy is used as a preoperative preparation and in the postoperative period. With the help of X-rays that affect certain areas of the uterus, tumor cells are destroyed and their further development is stopped. 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 andthrombocytopenia.
Cancer cells can also 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 fight certain types of cancer.
It is worth discussing traditional medicine methods with a specialist. But it is unacceptable to use them as the main ones.
Prevention and forecasts
In order to prevent this type of cancer, regular preventive examination by a doctor is necessary. Particular attention should be paid to the representatives of the weaker sex, who are at risk. You should get rid of inflammatory and precancerous diseases in a timely manner, avoid casual relationships and lead a full-fledged sex life with one, proven partner.
It is also necessary to monitor your hormonal levels, give birth to children in a timely manner and avoid contact with carcinogens. Equally important is a he althy lifestyle and maintaining optimal body weight.
The most favorable prognosis is found in time at the early stages of the development of an oncological tumor. They can be eliminated with the help of surgery and subsequent therapy. Such treatment is not very severe, and after a year the patient can return to a normal lifestyle.
Much more difficulties await women in whom such a malignant tumor was found in the second stage. Because the operating fieldhere more, the recovery period becomes long and is accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy. As a result, the ability to bear children disappears forever and a strong hormonal imbalance occurs, and the therapeutic course is delayed up to three years. But even he does not reach the state preceding the disease. However, life in these stages persists in most cases.
The next stage is aggravated by the fact that in addition to the heavily metastasized uterus, the vagina or part of it is also removed. Full recovery here is impossible even after three years of therapy. But the survival rate at this stage is from ten to sixty percent. At the last stage, only the life of the sick person becomes relevant. The highest probability of death exists at this stage.
All measures to restore the body have a certain positive effect, but later life will still be associated with a large number of aggravating factors.
But do not fall into despair when uterine cancer is detected. Modern medicine allows you to detect it in time and get rid of a malignant formation. The main thing here is not to neglect he alth and not to delay treatment, especially when every month counts.
