My Gynae Women's Clinic

Cancer of the UTERUS

How common is uterine cancer?

Cancer of the uterine corpus is the most common pelvic gynecologic malignancy in most developed countries. Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, following breast, lung, and colorectal cancer, in that order.

What is the most common symptom of uterine cancer?

The most common is postmenopausal (PMP) bleeding.

Is PMP bleeding always a sign of cancer?

No. Only 15-20% of women with PMP vaginal bleeding have a gynecologic cancer.

What are the different types of uterine cancers?

The types of uterine cancers include:

1)     Adenocarcinomas

2)     Adenosquamous carcinomas

3)     Clear cell carcinomas

4)     Papillary serous carcinomas

5)     Sarcomas

6)     Carcinosarcomas

7)     Mixed homologous müllerian tumors

8)     Leiomyosarcomas

9)     Endometrial stromal sarcomas

10) Rhabdomyosarcomas

11) Osteosarcomas

12) Chondrosarcomas

What are the risk factors for endometrial cancer?

Some of the risk factors for endometrial cancer include:

1)     postmenopausal

2)     obesity

3)     chronic anovulation

4)     Nulliparity

5)     early menarche

6)     a history of induced abortions

7)     Late menopause

8)     Exogenous unopposed estrogen

9)     Tamoxifen

10) Diabetes

11) Hypertension

12) High dietary fat consumption

13) history of pelvic radiation

What are the symptoms?

1)     The most common symptom is PMP bleeding.

2)     purulent genital discharge

3)     pain

4)     weight loss

5)     change in bladder habits

6)     irregular menses

7)     pelvic pressure

8)     pelvic mass

9)     anorexia

10) change in bowel habits

What are the possible treatment methods?

1)     surgery

2)     radiotherapy

3)     Chemotherapy

4)     Hormonal therapy

Dr. Oei Pau Ling

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Specialist Registration, Full Registration, Singapore Medical Council,

Specialist Accreditation in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Specialist Accreditation Board, Ministry of Health, Singapore,

Roll of Specialists, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Singapore),

Master of Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Singapore),

Fellow, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,

Member, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (London, UK),

Fellow, Academy of Medicine (Singapore)