MDC3 week1

ENDOMETRIAL CANCER Written By: Emily Geiger

The most common gynecologic malignancy (2).

Endometrial cancer, also called uterine cancer,

is cancer of the inner uterine lining (2). One of

the first symptoms is abnormal vaginal

bleeding, which leads individuals to seek care,

and ultimately leads to early detection of the

cancer. As a result, endometrial cancer has a

good prognosis and typically spreads slowly

(2).

OVERVIEW

REFERENCES

Bernstein, R., M.D., DeJoseph, D., M.D., &

Buchanan, E. M., M.D. (2010). When to Stop

Screening: A Review of Breast,

Gynecologic, and Colorectal Cancer

Screening in Women Over Age 65. Care

Management Journals, 11(1), 48-57.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1521-

0987.11.1.48

Rebar, C., Ignatavicius, D., & Workman, L.

(2018). Medical-Surgical Nursing. 9th

Edition. Elsevier. Retrieved from

https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/#/bo

oks/9780323461580/cfi/6/10!/4/2/6/4@0:0

1.

2.

NURSING INTERVENTIONS

When patients are diagnosed with endometrial

cancer, it can cause disbelief, anger,

depression, anxiety, or withdrawal feelings and

behaviors (2). It is the responsibility of the nurse

to help the patient express their concerns and

assess the patients support system. The nurse

should ask the patient how she copes with

stressful events and provide therapeutic coping

mechanisms when appropriate.

The nurses role is also to be a part of the

collaborative team. From initial examination to

post treatment, the nurse should provide

support to the patient throughout the process

and be available to answer questions and/or

concerns. For example, if the patient is to

receive radiation, such as brachytherapy, the

nurse should instruct the patient of the

importance of maintaining bedrest during

treatment (2). Post treatment education on

adverse effects to monitor for and report to the

provider should also be part of the nurses role.

The wish for the patient is to pass the 5-year

survival mark without recurrence of the disease

(2). If the tumor recurs and a positive outcome

is slim, the patient will need to begin discussing

hospice care. The nurse's role in that situation is

to support the patient and family and be a

resource for them. Nursing interventions

include encouraging the patient to discuss

their feelings, refer support services such as a

chaplain, social worker, our counselor, and use

therapeutic communication (2).

Complete Blood Count (2)

Serum Tumor Markers (2)

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (2)

Transvaginal Ultrasound (2)

Endometrial Biopsy (2)

CT/MRI of the pelvis (2)

Intravenous pyelography (2)

Abdominal ultrasound (2)

CT/MRI of pelvis (2)

liver and bone scans (2)

There are currently no standard or routine

screenings for endometrial cancer. Cases are

often found as a result of abnormal bleeding

reported to a physician (1). During a pap smear

test, cells on the uterine wall may appear

abnormal, requiring further examination (1).

If endometrial cancer is suspected, there are a

multitude of diagnostic tests available to

confirm diagnosis. These include:

Other tests to determine the presence of

metastasis include:

SCREENINGS & DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

There are four stages to endometrial cancer.

Each stage is based on where the cancer is

located and if it has metastasized (2). The

stages are as follows:

Stage 1: Cancer is defined to endometrium (2).

Stage 2: Cancer has spread to cervix as well (2).

Stage 3: Cancer has metastasized to include

the vagina or lymph nodes (2).

Stage 4: The cancer has made its way to the

bowel or bladder (2).

DISEASE PROCESS

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Postmenopausal bleeding (2)

Watery or bloody discharge (2)

Lower back or abdominal pain (2)

Low pelvic impaired comfort (2)

Palpable uterine mass or uterine polyp (2)

RISK FACTORS

Girls and young women (2)

Infection with HPV (2)

Multiple births (2)

Multiple sex partners (2)

History of STIs (2)

Obesity or poor diet (2)

African American (2)

Oral contraceptive use (2)

Smoking (2)

Younger than 18 years at first intercourse

(2)

Family history of cervical cancer (2)

HIV/AIDS (2)

Lower socioeconomic status (2)

Endometrial cancer is strongly correlated to

conditions that cause prolonged exposure to

estrogen without the effects of progesterone.

Other risk factors include:

TREATMENT

Cancer staging and removal of tumor (2)

Total hysterectomy (2)

Bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (BSO) (2)

Radical hysterectomy (2)

Radiation (2)

Bracytherapy (2)

External beam radiation therapy (2)

Chemotherapy (2)

After being diagnosed with endometrial cancer,

an individual will meet with a collaborative

team of professionals to discuss the best

treatment option, utilizing surgical and non-

surgical methods.

Surgical Treatment Options:

Non-Surgical Treatment Options: