Uterine Cancer Treatment

Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy are some of the treatment options for uterine cancer. Factors that will affect your treatment may include the size of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and whether certain hormones affect tumor growth. Treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, which can lead to unwanted side effects. Specific side effects will depend on many factors, including the type and extent of the cancer treatment.

Uterine Cancer Treatments

Uterine Cancer Treatment: An Overview

Most cases of uterine cancer occur in the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. This article uses the term "uterine cancer" to refer to this type of cancer, also known as endometrial cancer. This article does not discuss a rare type of uterine cancer that can occur in the muscles or other tissues that support the uterus. Click Uterine Sarcoma for more information on this topic. For more information on how uterine sarcoma is treated, click Uterine Sarcoma Treatment.

Uterine cancer treatment options vary based on:

The size of the tumor.

The uterine cancer stage (see Uterine Cancer Stage).

Whether female hormones affect tumor growth.

The tumor grade. The grade tells how closely the cancer cells resemble normal cells and suggests how fast the cancer is likely to grow. Low-grade cancers are likely to grow and spread more slowly than high-grade cancers.

The woman's age and general health.

In general, treatment options can include:

Surgery (see Uterine Cancer Surgery)
Radiation therapy (see Radiation for Uterine Cancer)
Hormone therapy (see Uterine Cancer Hormone Therapy).

Doctors can describe the treatment choices and the expected results of each treatment option. Patients should work with their doctors to develop a treatment plan that meets their medical needs and personal values. Choosing the most appropriate treatment for uterine cancer is a decision that ideally involves the patient, the family, and the healthcare team.

(Uterine Cancer Treatment Continued: Page 2)