Uterine Adenocarcinoma: Modern Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment

Uterine adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that develops from the glandular cells of the endometrium. It is considered one of the most common forms of cancer of the uterine body and is more often diagnosed in women after menopause, although it can also occur at a younger age. When detected early, modern treatment methods can provide a favorable prognosis and significantly improve treatment effectiveness.

At the Helyos Surgery and Rehabilitation Center, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of uterine adenocarcinoma are performed according to modern international protocols. An individualized treatment program is developed for each patient, taking into account the stage of the disease, tumor grade, and overall health.

What Is Uterine Adenocarcinoma?

Uterine adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that develops from the glandular epithelium of the uterine lining — the endometrium.

The disease usually develops gradually. In the early stages, the tumor is confined to the uterus, but without treatment it can spread to neighboring organs and metastasize.

Early diagnosis significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and allows the use of less traumatic surgical approaches.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of the disease are not fully understood, but specialists identify several factors that significantly increase the likelihood of tumor development.

These include:

• Age over 50
• Hormonal disorders
• Obesity
• Diabetes mellitus
• Arterial hypertension
• Absence of pregnancy and childbirth
• Late menopause
• Genetic predisposition
• Long-term estrogen exposure without sufficient progesterone

Having risk factors does not mean that the disease will necessarily develop, but it does require regular gynecological monitoring.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Uterine Adenocarcinoma

In the early stages, the disease may be almost asymptomatic.

As it progresses, the following symptoms may appear:

• Bloody discharge after menopause
• Irregular uterine bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain
• Watery discharge
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• General weakness
• Weight loss in advanced stages

Modern diagnostic methods are used to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic evaluation includes:

• Consultation with a gynecologist
• Pelvic ultrasound examination
• Hysteroscopy
• Endometrial biopsy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Laboratory tests

Comprehensive diagnostics make it possible to determine the stage of the disease and choose the most effective treatment strategy.

Grades of Uterine Adenocarcinoma

One of the key factors in treatment selection is the tumor grade, or degree of differentiation.

Several grades are distinguished:

• G1 — well-differentiated adenocarcinoma
• G2 — moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma
• G3 — poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma G2 is relatively common and is characterized by a moderate degree of aggressiveness. The degree of differentiation largely determines the prognosis and the extent of treatment required.

Treatment Methods for Uterine Adenocarcinoma

Treatment of uterine adenocarcinoma is always selected individually.

Depending on the stage of the disease, different treatment methods may be used.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is the main treatment method for most patients.

During surgery, the following procedures may be performed:

• Removal of the uterus
• Removal of the adnexa
• Removal of regional lymph nodes
• Extended surgical procedures when necessary

The scope of surgery is determined after a complete examination.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with surgery.

It helps reduce the risk of disease recurrence and destroy remaining tumor cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is prescribed for advanced stages of the disease or when there is a high risk of metastasis.

The treatment regimen is determined individually depending on the clinical situation.

Hormone Therapy

For some tumor types, hormone therapy may be an effective addition to the main treatment.

It is used only when clearly indicated and after evaluating the tumor's hormone sensitivity.

Prognosis and Prevention

The prognosis largely depends on the stage at which the tumor is detected.

To reduce the risk of developing the disease, it is recommended to:

• Visit a gynecologist regularly
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Treat hormonal disorders promptly
• Follow a healthy lifestyle
• Undergo preventive examinations
• Seek medical attention if any unusual symptoms occur

Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment effectiveness and prognosis.

What are the first signs of uterine adenocarcinoma?

The most characteristic symptom is bloody discharge after menopause or irregular uterine bleeding. Lower abdominal pain, watery discharge, and discomfort may also occur.

Which diagnostic methods are most effective for uterine adenocarcinoma?

Diagnosis may include ultrasound examination, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, MRI, CT, and laboratory tests.

Is complete recovery from uterine adenocarcinoma possible?

When the disease is detected early and treatment begins promptly, the chances of complete recovery increase significantly. Prognosis depends on the tumor stage, its degree of differentiation, and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Are there preventive measures for uterine adenocarcinoma?

It is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of developing the disease. However, regular preventive gynecological examinations, hormonal monitoring, maintaining a healthy body weight, and timely treatment of reproductive system diseases can significantly reduce the likelihood of tumor development.