Uterine cancer, usually referred to as endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium, with adenocarcinoma being the most common. Uterine cancer is one of the most common cancers in the female reproductive system. Its incidence rate is only second to cervical cancer, and it ranks fourth among the most common cancers among women. Uterine cancer often occurs in women aged 50 to 60 years, often after menopause, but in recent years, the incidence rate is on the rise worldwide.

Clinical manifestations of uterine cancer

Early stage uterine cancer may have no obvious symptoms, but as the condition progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, and lower abdominal pain. Among them, vaginal bleeding is mainly manifested as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, and the amount is generally not large; Premenopausal individuals may present with increased or prolonged menstrual periods, or menstrual disorders. Vaginal discharge is often bloody or serous, and in cases of concurrent infection, there may be purulent discharge accompanied by a foul odor. Late stage patients may also experience systemic symptoms such as anemia, weight loss, and cachexia.

The latest treatment methods for uterine cancer

The treatment methods for uterine cancer mainly include surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The specific selection needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on factors such as the patient's age, physical condition, extent of cancer involvement, and histological type.

Surgical treatment: Surgical resection is currently the most fundamental method for treating uterine cancer in clinical practice, which can effectively inhibit the spread of cancer cells. For early patients, surgery is the preferred treatment method, which can remove the cancerous uterus and other possible metastatic lesions.

Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy is an adjuvant treatment for uterine cancer after surgery, which can reduce local recurrence and improve patient survival rate. Radiotherapy is also an important treatment option for patients with locally advanced or inoperable conditions.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses chemical drugs to kill rapidly growing cancer cells and is suitable for patients with extensive or recurrent uterine cancer. Chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel and cisplatin can be used alone or in combination with other treatment methods.

Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy works against specific molecular abnormalities, such as erlotinib blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway, mainly used for uterine cancer patients with corresponding molecular markers.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy aims to enhance the body's anti-tumor immunity, and commonly used products include PD-1 inhibitors and CTLA-4 inhibitors. For patients without driver gene mutations and who are unresponsive to other treatments, immunotherapy may bring better therapeutic effects.

In addition, traditional Chinese medicine treatment also plays a certain role in the comprehensive treatment of uterine cancer, which can assist in alleviating symptoms such as nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and improve the quality of life of patients.

In short, there are various treatment methods for uterine cancer, and patients should choose the most suitable treatment plan under the guidance of a doctor. At the same time, regular physical examinations and early screening are of great significance for detecting and treating uterine cancer.