Cancer of the endometrium and corpus uteri

• Published in: Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 57 - 60
• Main Authors: Yamada, S D, McGonigle, K F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1998
• Subjects: Combined Modality Therapy; Endometrial Neoplasms - diagnosis; Endometrial Neoplasms - etiology; Endometrial Neoplasms - therapy; Estrogen Replacement Therapy - adverse effects; Female; Genes, Tumor Suppressor - genetics; Humans; Myosarcoma - diagnosis; Myosarcoma - etiology; Myosarcoma - therapy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogenes - genetics; Risk Factors; Uterine Neoplasms - diagnosis; Uterine Neoplasms - etiology; Uterine Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 1040-872X
• DOI: 10.1097/00001703-199802000-00011

Uterine cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage and is therefore considered one of the most curable gynecologic malignancies. Despite this, a substantial number of women who present at more advanced stage or with unfavorable histologies suffer significant morbidity and death from this disease. Research continues along several fronts in an attempt to improve the prognosis for this group of women. Basic scientific research has continued to evaluate mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the hope that better targets for treatment and prevention of disease will be found. Epidemiologic studies have attempted to further define risk factors as well as elucidate risk in those patients receiving combination estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy. Clinical studies have further defined prognostic factors, and examined new surgical staging techniques and the need for adjuvant therapy after primary surgery. However, treatment options for advanced and recurrent disease remain limited.