What is uterine cancer?
Uterine cancer or endometrial carcinoma is a form of cancer localized in the body of the uterus. Unlike cervical cancer, almost all cases of uterine cancer of the adenocarcinoma type. In 2005, it was stated uterine cancer diagnosed in about 1,850 women in the Netherlands. It is the most common cancer of the female genitalia. In the same year died in the Netherlands more than 400 women from the effects of this cancer. The five-year survival is 80% and is compared with other forms of cancer are relatively favorable.
What causes uterine cancer?
Women who are obese, have a four times as likely as women of normal weight. Treatment with tamoxifen increases the risk of this type of cancer. Also, people with HNPCC and PCOS have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer. Physical activity, the use of the contraceptive pill and having children reduces risk. Smoking also reduces the risk of this cancer. Uterine cancer is the only cancer for which this applies.
Uterine cancer treatment
The most commonly used treatments for uterine cancer are:
- Surgery
- Radiation (radiotherapy)
Forecast
Uterine cancer survival rate
The five-year survival is 80% and is compared with other forms of cancer are relatively favorable. Most women (over 75%) have FIGO stage I or II and basically have a good prognosis.
Recurrence risk
The chance of re-gain of uterine cancer is between 3 and 17%. 70% of new cases detected during the first three years after treatment.
Quality of life
In 2005 there were 15,000 people in the Netherlands who survived uterine cancer and it is expected that this number will be increased in 2015 to 25,000. More than 70% of the people who survive uterine cancer suffer from one or more other symptoms as a result of this (co-morbidities). On average, one between two and three three co-morbidities. It appears that obesity has a negative effect on the quality of life of people who survive uterine cancer.
On average, people who uterine cancer survive more use of medical checks than the general population. This seems related to fears of a new episode. This fear is not diminishing and is even after a period of 10 years yet been confirmed.
Studies among people who have survived uterine cancer that if one is satisfied with the information about the condition, these people have a better quality of life, less depression and less anxiety. It is found that there is not always satisfied with the information about the disease, and that people who were given information on paper (compared to oral), claimed to have received more information and be more satisfied with the information. The American Medical Institute and the Dutch Health Council advised to use a Survivorship Care Plan; This is a summary of the treatment, with advice for future monitoring and health advice.