Types of Endometrial Cancer: benign and cancerous
February 19, 2005 (Press Release) --
Types
There are two types of uterine tumors: benign and cancerous. Benign tumors, known as fibroids, do not spread and are usually asymptomatic. They usually do not require treatment. Though if they do cause any bleeding or pain, they can be surgically removed. Cancerous tumors of the uterus, as with most cancers, spread to other tissues and organs if left untreated. Endometrial cancer refers specifically to tumors that originate in the endometrial lining of the uterus. If the tumor originates in the deeper, muscular walls of the uterus, it is called uterine sarcoma. About 90% of all uterine cancers are endometrial.
There is a precancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia, or adenomatous hyperplasia. It is similar to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), the precancerous condition that occurs in the cervix. Endometrial hyperplasia can be mild, moderate, or severe. The usual symptom is irregular uterine bleeding. Severe hyperplasia is considered carcinoma in situ of the endometrium, the earliest detectable stage of endometrial cancer.
Endometrial adenocarcinoma
About 90% of all endometrial cancers are typical endometrial adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that arise in the epithelium (the surface layer of cells). Endometrial adenocarcinomas are cancers that originate in the epithelium of the uterine lining. There are three types of adenocarcinomas based on the percentage of tumor growth: grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3. Grade 1 tumors are the least solid. They have at least 95% normal endometrial tissue, and the glands that are so prominent in the endometrium are distinct from the cancer cells. Grade 3 tumors are characterized by solid tumor growth, and the endometrial glands are not well differentiated.
Rare cell types
The other 10% of endometrial cancers are caused by rare cell types (papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, papillary endometrial carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma). In general, these rarer cancers are associated with later age, greater risk for metastases outside the uterus, and a poorer prognosis.
There are two types of uterine tumors: benign and cancerous. Benign tumors, known as fibroids, do not spread and are usually asymptomatic. They usually do not require treatment. Though if they do cause any bleeding or pain, they can be surgically removed. Cancerous tumors of the uterus, as with most cancers, spread to other tissues and organs if left untreated. Endometrial cancer refers specifically to tumors that originate in the endometrial lining of the uterus. If the tumor originates in the deeper, muscular walls of the uterus, it is called uterine sarcoma. About 90% of all uterine cancers are endometrial.
There is a precancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia, or adenomatous hyperplasia. It is similar to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), the precancerous condition that occurs in the cervix. Endometrial hyperplasia can be mild, moderate, or severe. The usual symptom is irregular uterine bleeding. Severe hyperplasia is considered carcinoma in situ of the endometrium, the earliest detectable stage of endometrial cancer.
Endometrial adenocarcinoma
About 90% of all endometrial cancers are typical endometrial adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that arise in the epithelium (the surface layer of cells). Endometrial adenocarcinomas are cancers that originate in the epithelium of the uterine lining. There are three types of adenocarcinomas based on the percentage of tumor growth: grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3. Grade 1 tumors are the least solid. They have at least 95% normal endometrial tissue, and the glands that are so prominent in the endometrium are distinct from the cancer cells. Grade 3 tumors are characterized by solid tumor growth, and the endometrial glands are not well differentiated.
Rare cell types
The other 10% of endometrial cancers are caused by rare cell types (papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, papillary endometrial carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma). In general, these rarer cancers are associated with later age, greater risk for metastases outside the uterus, and a poorer prognosis.
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
