One of the most insidious diseases in women is uterine sarcoma. The prognosis of life in this disease varies depending on the stage of the pathological process. However, most of the time it's disappointing. The five-year survival rate at the initial stage is 47% of all cases. When an oncological disease is detected at the fourth stage - only 10%. There is no need to talk about positive dynamics even with timely diagnosis and competent treatment.
Description of the disease
Uterine sarcoma is a rare but insidious pathology. The neoplasm is formed from undifferentiated elements of the endometrium or myometrium. Cancer occurs in women of all ages, including young girls. It is manifested by cyclic bleeding, pain in the abdomen, general malaise. Sarcoma is difficult to diagnose at the initial stages of development. The answer to the question of complete recovery depends on the stage of the pathological process, the age of the patient and her state of he alth. All forms of the disease are characterized by a high degree of malignancy. Therefore, they are difficult to treat.
Forms of uterine sarcoma
Depending on the location of malignant cells, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:
- Leimiosarcoma is the most aggressive tumor that can reach a diameter of 5 cm. It forms exclusively in the soft tissues of the myometrium.
- Endometrial stromal sarcoma develops in the connective support structure of the uterus, is extremely rare (only 1% of all cases of malignant lesions). There are two categories of tumors: low-quality and undifferentiated. In the first case, the neoplasm is practically safe for life, slowly progressing. An undifferentiated tumor is accompanied by poor he alth, which affects the patient's condition.
- Carcinosarcoma forms in the endometrium.
Many people confuse two diseases: uterine sarcoma and cancer. In fact, these are completely different pathologies. Cancer tumors are formed from elements of the epithelium, and sarcomas affect only connective tissues.
Causes of cancer
Uterine sarcoma refers to pathologies of complex etiology. Scientists put forward several versions explaining its origin. Most of them are sure that the disease develops under the influence of a whole group of factors. This may be a failure in the hormonal system or numerous injuries of the uterine body, an unsuccessful abdominal operation, an abortion, or any other intervention.
The disease also occurs against the background of problems in embryonic development. No less dangerous factor is the pathological proliferation of tissuesendometrium. The development of pathology sometimes leads to improper healing of the place, removal of the polyp or fusion of several formations. Neuroendocrine disorders are another cause of sarcoma. A significant role in predisposing factors is given to bad habits, drug abuse. Doctors should also be alert to the abrupt cessation of ovulation.
Who is at risk?
Gynecologists are trying to draw the attention of women to the prevention of sarcoma, since it is extremely rare to completely cure this pathology. First of all, it is shown to those who are included in the so-called risk group. These are women:
- people suffering from polycystic ovaries (the disease provokes hormonal imbalance);
- suffering from breast cancer;
- never gave birth;
- late menopause survivors (menopause after 50 years).
Hereditary predisposition plays a huge role in this matter. It is recommended to monitor the state of he alth with special attention to women after 40 years of age, whose close relatives have been diagnosed with tumor diseases, including uterine sarcoma.
Symptoms and signs of illness
Very often, sarcoma is called a silent pathology, since there are no obvious signs of it at the initial stage of development. Women are in no hurry to seek help from a doctor, perceiving the worsening condition as stress or less serious illness. Even in advanced stages, sarcoma may not show up.characteristic symptoms, continuing to increase in size or disguise itself as a fibromyoma.
As the disease progresses and depending on the specific localization of the pathological process, there is a violation of the menstrual cycle. Women complain of pain in the lower abdomen, copious discharge with a putrid odor. Appetite also disappears, the skin acquires a yellowish tint. Changes are clearly visible in blood tests.
Late manifestations of sarcoma lead to anemia, permanent weakness and ascites. As a result of metastasis, pleurisy develops in the lungs, and jaundice develops in the liver. The penetration of malignant cells into the spine is accompanied by the appearance of pain in its various sections.
Often, during a gynecological examination for prevention, doctors diagnose "uterine sarcoma". Signs indicating the onset of the pathological process may be absent. Such a combination of circumstances is considered successful, since timely treatment significantly increases the chances of a positive outcome. Gynecologists regularly remind about the importance of periodic examinations of women after 40 years, especially before the onset of menopause.
Stages of development of sarcoma
The disease is characterized by slow development.
- At the initial stage, sarcoma is a small tumor. It may be limited to the mucous or muscular layer.
- At the second stage, the tumor increases in size, but does not go beyond the body of the uterus. There is also a partialorgan infiltration.
- At the third stage, the neoplasm grows into the body of the uterus, but remains within the small pelvis. Sometimes there is metastasis to the ovaries, regional lymph nodes. At this stage, the disease of uterine sarcoma begins to manifest characteristic symptoms, if they were absent until that moment.
- The fourth stage is the period of the decay of the tumor and the formation of metastases. Secondary lesions extend to any system of internal organs, affecting the lungs and bone marrow.
Diagnostic Methods
Detection of sarcoma in the initial stages is often difficult due to the lack of obvious symptoms. At the initial consultation, the gynecologist clarifies the anamnesis and related data on cases of oncological pathologies in the next of kin. Gynecological examination allows you to identify changes in the color of the cervix, to detect signs of neoplasm. Then a number of laboratory and hardware tests are prescribed (blood test, CT, MRI, hysteroscopy and ultrasound of internal organs).
Differential diagnosis of uterine sarcoma allows to exclude diseases with a similar clinical picture. These include ovarian tumors, benign formations of the genital organs, endometrial polyps. Confirmation of the final diagnosis is impossible without a biopsy. During this procedure, tumor tissue is examined in the laboratory.
Metastases in sarcoma
A neoplasm can disperse metastases along with the blood flow, as well as grow into adjacent organs. How is it happeningthe spread of malignant elements? Sarcoma throws its particles into the blood, from where they penetrate into the respiratory and skeletal systems, external genitalia. In this case, most often the lesion affects the left side of the lungs. Malignant cells often penetrate into the appendages. This complication is usually found in the diagnosis of endometrial sarcoma of the uterus. Metastases quickly migrate throughout the body, which can lead to an early death.
Treatment options
In medical practice, several methods of treatment of uterine sarcoma are used. Most often, patients are offered a combined option, which includes surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The operation is carried out only at the initial stages of the pathological process. It allows you to determine the stage of the disease and carry out the removal of the neoplasm. The amount of intervention depends on the location of the tumor and its size. At best, the uterus with appendages is removed, and at worst, all adjacent organs are removed. In advanced cases, only one surgical intervention will not be enough. As for the issue of radiation therapy, today it is one of the most effective options for combating the disease of uterine sarcoma. The prognosis in this case may also be disappointing. It is prescribed to kill scattered cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Courses of chemotherapy for uterine sarcoma involve the use of anthracyclines ("Idarubicin", "Doskorubicin", "Epirubicin"). These are the so-called anticancer antibiotics. At presentAt the same time, experts are actively studying the effects of Ifosfamide, its use both in monotherapy and in combination with other medicines. With chemotherapy, positive dynamics is observed in 30% of patients.
The use of combined treatment is much more effective, but it has a number of side effects. Positive dynamics is observed from combined therapy with Docetaxel and Gemcitabine. It is usually reused for relapses.
What other drugs are used in the diagnosis of "uterine sarcoma"? Treatment with hormonal agents is justified only with a low degree of malignancy of the neoplasm.
Forecast
What is the prognosis of uterine sarcoma? Photos of patients who managed to survive this insidious disease inspire hope. However, in most cases, the outcome of the pathology is unfavorable, the probability of recurrence is high. What do the statistics say about this?
With timely diagnosis of the tumor and surgery, the probability of recurrence is 65%. In case of detection of sarcoma in the later stages, the chances of re-development of the pathological process are 90%. As a rule, the life expectancy of the patient after surgery is 2 years. Statistics confirm that five-year survival after sarcoma treatment is observed in only 40% of cases.
Depending on the stage of the disease, this picture may look like this:
- first stage - 47%;
- second stage - 44%;
- third stage - 40%;
- fourth stage - 10%.
However, thisjust data from a study during which scientists recorded cases of a favorable outcome after treatment for uterine sarcoma. It is difficult to say how long patients with such a diagnosis live. When answering this question, it is necessary to know the stage of the disease, the treatment performed, and cases of relapse. Only those sarcomas that form from fibromatous nodes are characterized by a favorable course. And in this case, timely diagnosis and treatment is required.
Prevention measures
How to prevent the development of this dangerous disease? First of all, experts recommend an annual gynecological examination. It is also necessary to follow the doctor's prescriptions in the treatment of "female" diseases, especially those related to hormonal disorders. A special role in prevention is given to the issue of pregnancy. Doctors do not recommend delaying the planning of the baby. If for some reason you do not want to try on the role of a mother, you should use contraception and avoid abortions. It is impossible not to mention proper nutrition. The diet should consist mainly of fresh vegetables and fruits. And the amount of animal fats is better to limit. Give up bad habits, spend more time outdoors and play sports.
Conclusion
The attention of scientists and doctors is still attracted by such a rare disease as uterine sarcoma. The prognosis of life with this disease is impossible to predict. Although sarcoma is raredisease, it is included in the list of aggressive malignant neoplasms. Even with timely and competent treatment, one cannot hope for a positive trend. Pathology can occur in women of all ages. If you experience unusual symptoms and feel unwell, you should consult a doctor. It is even better to undergo preventive examinations annually. Stay he althy!
