Understanding Cancer
Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in cells, the
body's basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up the
organs of the body.
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When
cells grow old and die, new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not
need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can
form a mass of tissue called a growth or
tumor.
Tumors can be
benign or
malignant:
-
Benign tumors are not cancer. Usually, doctors can remove them. Cells
from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. In most cases,
benign tumors do not come back after they are removed. Most important, benign
tumors are rarely a threat to life.
Benign Conditions of the Uterus
-
Fibroids
are common benign tumors that grow in the muscle of the uterus. They occur
mainly in women in their forties. Women may have many fibroids at the same
time. Fibroids do not develop into cancer. As a woman reaches
menopause, fibroids are likely to
become smaller, and sometimes they disappear.
Usually, fibroids cause no
symptoms and need no treatment. But
depending on their size and location, fibroids can cause bleeding, vaginal
discharge, and frequent urination. Women with these symptoms should see a
doctor. If fibroids cause heavy bleeding, or if they press against nearby
organs and cause pain, the doctor may suggest
surgery or other treatment.
-
Endometriosis
is another benign condition that affects the uterus. It is most common in women
in their thirties and forties, especially in women who have never been
pregnant. It occurs when endometrial tissue begins to grow on the outside of
the uterus and on nearby organs. This condition may cause painful menstrual
periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and sometimes loss of
fertility (ability to get
pregnant), but it does not cause cancer. Women with endometriosis may be
treated with
hormones or surgery.
-
Endometrial
hyperplasia is an increase
in the number of cells in the lining of the uterus. It is not cancer. Sometimes
it develops into cancer. Heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, and
bleeding after menopause are common symptoms of hyperplasia. It is most common
after age 40.
To prevent endometrial hyperplasia from developing into cancer, the doctor may
recommend surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy)
or treatment with hormones (progesterone)
and regular followup exams.
|
-
Malignant tumors are cancer. They are generally more serious and may be
life threatening. Cancer cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the
bloodstream or
lymphatic system. That is how
cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumor to form new tumors in
other organs. The spread of cancer is called
metastasis.
When uterine cancer spreads (metastasizes)
outside the uterus, cancer cells are often found in nearby
lymph nodes, nerves, or blood
vessels. If the cancer has reached the lymph nodes, cancer cells may have
spread to other lymph nodes and other organs, such as the lungs, liver, and
bones.
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new
tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the
primary tumor. For example, if
cancer of the uterus spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells in the lungs are
actually uterine cancer cells. The disease is metastatic uterine cancer, not
lung cancer. It is treated as uterine cancer, not lung cancer. Doctors
sometimes call the new tumor "distant" disease.
The most common type of cancer of the uterus begins in the lining (endometrium).
It is called endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, or cancer of the uterus. In
this booklet, we will use the terms uterine cancer or cancer of the uterus to
refer to cancer that begins in the endometrium.
A different type of cancer, uterine
sarcoma, develops in the muscle
(myometrium). Cancer that begins in the cervix is also a different type of
cancer. This booklet does not deal with uterine sarcoma or with cancer of the
cervix. The Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER) can provide information
about these types of cancer. Also, National Cancer Institute publications may
be viewed or ordered on the Internet at http://www.cancer.gov/publications.
Back to Top
< Previous Section | Next Section > |