[[{"@type":["BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/#BlogPosting","@context":{"@vocab":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","kg":"http:\/\/g.co\/kg"},"url":["https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/","https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/"],"publisher":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/"}],"author":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/#BlogPosting_author_Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/#BlogPosting_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Uterine-Cancer.jpg"}],"headline":"Uterine Cancer: RCCA Gynecologic Oncologist Ami Vaidya, MD,  Outlines the Risk Factors and Signs You Need to Know","dateModified":"2022-03-11T23:06:43+00:00","datePublished":"2022-01-10T19:33:25+00:00","description":"Ami Vaidya, MD, summarizes the risk factors and early symptoms which indicate a case of uterine cancer. Visit Regional Cancer Care Associates online for more information.","articleBody":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJanuary 10, 2022\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nUterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It occurs most often in postmenopausal women in their early to mid-60s, but younger women can develop the disease, too. The past decade has seen an uptick of uterine cancer among all age groups, so it\u2019s vital that women learn to recognize its symptoms and be aware of risk factors that may increase their chances of developing the cancer.The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ. The tissue lining the wall of the uterus is called the endometrium. Most cases of uterine cancer occur in the endometrium. There are two main types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancer\u2014the most common form\u2014is the most curable gynecological cancer, especially when caught early. Uterine sarcoma is rarer, accounting for about 10% of uterine cancers. It\u2019s harder to treat because it is more aggressive. Uterine sarcoma tends to spread to other areas of the body before it is diagnosed. By contrast, endometrial cancer is slow-growing and usually diagnosed before it spreads.The number of new uterine cancer cases rose by 0.5% each year from 2009 through 2018, according to the National Cancer Institute. The number of uterine cancer deaths increased by 1.7% each year from 2010 through 2019. Those upward trends are of concern to board-certified gynecologic oncologist Ami Vaidya, MD, who practices with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of cancer specialists.\nDr. Vaidya sees a relationship between rising uterine cancer diagnoses and an increasingly obese population in the U.S. \u201cEndometrial cancer incidence is on the rise, and we\u2019re seeing it particularly in younger women who are morbidly obese,\u201d says the physician, who practices with RCCA in Hackensack, NJ, at the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack University Medical Center.The uterine cancer-obesity connection\nA 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that women who are overweight (having a body mass index, or BMI, of 25\u201329.9) or obese (having a BMI of 30 or greater) are two to three times more likely to develop uterine cancer than are women who have a healthy weight.\nA higher BMI is associated with endometrial cancer in women younger than 45 years. That\u2019s likely because excess weight can cause a hormone imbalance between the hormone\u2019s estrogen and progesterone, which counteract each other in certain ways. Overweight women produce more estrogen. Prolonged estrogen exposure is thought to play a major role in driving the cancer\u2019s development. \nThis hormone imbalance is also why uterine cancer mainly affects postmenopausal women. After menopause, a woman\u2019s ovaries stop producing both hormones. However, the fatty tissue continues to produce a small amount of estrogen, causing ongoing exposure to that hormone, without the offsetting effects of progesterone. \nOther risk factors besides obesity or postmenopausal status include:\n\nAge older than 50\nNever having been pregnant\nEstrogen-only (no progestin) hormone therapy during menopause\nTamoxifen therapy, which helps prevent breast cancer, for more than two years\nEarly menstruation or late menopause\nEndometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, a condition that can progress to cancer\nPolycystic ovary syndrome, which causes an increase in male hormones\nLynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of certain cancers\nA personal history of breast or colon cancer\nA family history of uterine, colon, breast, or ovarian cancers\nType 2 diabetes\nMetabolic syndrome, a condition that includes at least three of the following: excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low HDL (good) cholesterol, and high triglycerides\n\nYou can reduce your uterine cancer risk by maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise. Other factors thought to be protective against uterine cancer include using estrogen-progestin oral contraception, having a child, and breastfeeding.\n\n\nOverall, uterine cancer has a high survival rate\u201490% of women are alive at least five years after being diagnosed with the disease. That high rate is largely because of early diagnosis and treatment following medical evaluation of endometrial cancer\u2019s early telltale symptom: abnormal vaginal bleeding.\n\nBleeding can occur for many reasons other than cancer. \u201cThat\u2019s the number one symptom or sign that something isn\u2019t right,\u201d says Dr. Vaidya. \u201cIf you\u2019re postmenopausal and experience any type of spotting, bloody discharge, or bleeding\u2014which can be red, brown, or darkish brown\u2014you should be evaluated by your gynecologist.\u201d\n\nAccording to Dr. Vaidya, \u201cYounger women\u2019s signs and symptoms are a little bit harder to discern because a woman typically is getting a menstrual cycle during her younger years. But if there\u2019s a significant change in your menstrual cycle\u2014such as heavy or prolonged bleeding with passage of clots, or if your periods seem to run into each other, or any type of irregular or heavier-than-usual bleeding\u2014you should bring it to your gynecologist\u2019s attention.\u201d\n\n\nAdditional signs and symptoms of uterine cancer include:\n\nAbnormal vaginal discharge, which can be clear, pinkish, or bloody\nPain or pressure in the pelvis\nPain during intercourse\nDifficult or painful urination\nA change in bowel or bladder function\n\nAgain, those symptoms may reflect many conditions other than uterine cancer, but you should discuss them with your physician promptly.\nUnlike endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma typically has no noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. One sign of uterine sarcoma, though, may be an enlarged uterus, which is something your gynecologist would notice during a routine pelvic exam. That\u2019s why Dr. Vaidya urges women not to stop annual visits to their gynecologists once they reach menopause.\n\n\u201cDuring a routine pelvic exam, your gynecologist may notice that your uterus feels larger,\u201d she says. \u201cSee your gynecologist if you feel a change in your lower pelvis below your belly button, such as a firm, hard mass; a heavy sensation, pressure, or pain in the pelvis; or a change in bladder or bowel function.\u201d\n\nNo screening tests are available for uterine cancer. However, a Pap test may occasionally detect abnormal cells that have shed from the uterus. This finding calls for further evaluation.\n\nWhen endometrial cancer is diagnosed early and confined to the uterus, it typically is treated \u2013 and often is cured \u2013 with a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, including the cervix) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries and both fallopian tubes). Premenopausal women who want to preserve the option of becoming pregnant and delivering a child may be candidates for fertility-sparing treatment, usually progestin therapy followed by a hysterectomy once they\u2019re done having children. Women with more advanced disease might need chemotherapy or radiation therapy in addition to surgery.\n\nSays Dr. Vaidya, \u201cThe most important thing that a woman who has been diagnosed with uterine cancer can do is find a group of specialists who are experienced in treating this cancer and who draw on the full range of evidence-based therapies to deliver highly individualized treatment plans and comprehensive care.\u201d\n\nTo learn more about RCCA, call 844-928-0089 or visit RCCA.com. \n\n*******\nDr. Vaidya received her medical degree from Columbia University and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University. She then conducted her fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is board-certified in gynecologic oncology, obstetrics and gynecology, and pain and palliative care. Dr. Vaidya is among the 80+ cancer specialists who treat patients at more than 26 RCCA care centers located throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC, area. Their oncologists see more than 22,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 225,000 established patients, collaborating closely with their patients\u2019 other physicians. They offer patients the latest in cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to a wide range of clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders such as anemia, RCCA care centers also provide infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including multiple sclerosis, Crohn\u2019s disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.\n\nReferences\nAmerican Cancer Society. About endometrial cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/endometrial-cancer\/about.html. Accessed October 27, 2021.\nAmerican Cancer Society. Uterine sarcoma early detection, diagnosis, and staging. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/uterine-sarcoma\/detection-diagnosis-staging.html. Accessed June 26, 2021.\nAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Endometrial cancer: Frequently asked questions. https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/endometrial-cancer. Accessed June 23, 2021.\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. What are the risk factors for uterine cancer? http:\/\/medbox.iiab.me\/modules\/en-cdc\/www.cdc.gov\/cancer\/uterine\/basic_info\/risk_factors.htm. Accessed October 28, 2021.\nHenley SJ, Miller JW, Dowling NF, et al. Uterine cancer incidence and mortality\u2014United States, 1999\u20132016. MMWR. 2018, Dec 7;67(48):1333-1338.\nMedlinePlus. Endometrial cancer. https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/000910.htm. Accessed June 22, 2021.\nMedlinePlus. Polycystic ovary syndrome. https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/000369.htm. Accessed October 26, 2021.\nNational Cancer Institute. Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ)\u2013Patient version. https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/types\/uterine\/patient\/endometrial-prevention-pdq. Accessed June 23, 2021.\nNational Cancer Institute. Endometrial cancer screening (PDQ)\u2013Patient version. https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/types\/uterine\/patient\/endometrial-screening-pdq. Accessed June 22, 2021.\nNational Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: Uterine cancer. https:\/\/seer.cancer.gov\/statfacts\/html\/corp.html. Accessed October 18, 2021.\nNational Comprehensive Cancer Network. Guidelines for patients 2021: Uterine cancer. https:\/\/www.nccn.org\/patientresources\/patient-resources\/guidelines-for-patients\/guidelines-for-patients-details?patientGuidelineId=41. Accessed October 28, 2021.\nSmrz SA, Calo C Fisher JL, et al. An ecological evaluation of the increasing incidence of endometrial cancer and the obesity epidemic. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 May;224:506.e1-8.\nUpToDate.com. Fertility preservation in patients with endometrial cancer. https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/fertility-preservation-in-patients-with-endometrial-carcinoma. Accessed October 31, 2021\nwe are here for you\nFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call (844) 301-4158. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.\nRELATED ARTICLES\nRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\n\u00a9 2022 Regional Cancer Care Associates. 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Fight cancer with leading-edge treatments, experienced skill and local caring\/convenience from one of the nation's largest networks of cancer specialists.","email":"info@regionalcancercare.org","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/","sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/rgnlcancercare","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/regionalcancercareassoc","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/10059183","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCFlVzU4UvZcyXBCe9ZSvAUQ"],"telephone":"+1 (844) 346-7222","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Uterine Cancer: RCCA Gynecologic Oncologist Ami Vaidya, MD,  Outlines the Risk Factors and Signs You Need to Know","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/uterine-cancer-rcca-gynecologic-oncologist-ami-vaidya-md-outlines-the-risk-factors-and-signs-you-need-to-know\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]