Treatment of endometrial carcinoma is based primarily on the stage and grade of the cancer.
The standard therapy is an abdominal hysterectomy with removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries, selective removal of pelvic and aortic lymph nodes and washings from the abdominal cavity to look for malignant cells.
Surgery Most gynecologic oncologists recommend a mid-line abdominal incision to gain access to
the upper abdomen. Complications of surgery can include infection, bleeding and injury to the bladder, rectum or ureter causing a leak, although this is rare. There may also be blood clots in the legs, occasionally dislodging and traveling to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Radiation Women who have Stages Ib, Ic or IIa uterine cancers are frequently treated two to six
weeks after surgery with radiation to the entire pelvis and upper vagina. Total dose is 4,000 to 5,000 cGy in divided doses given daily, five days a week for four to five weeks. Although pelvic external beam radiation therapy will decrease the frequency of recurrences in the pelvis and vagina, it does not statistically improve the five-year survival rate.
Side effects of radiation can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, bleeding from the bladder or rectum, vaginal scarring, intestinal obstruction, or leaks (fistulas) in the urinary or intestinal tracts.
