Gynecologic oncologists
Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who specialize in both cancer diagnosis/treatment and have gone through special training in operating on cancers of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vulva, and vagina.
LIVING WITH
ENDOMETRIAL CANCER (EC)
If you are diagnosed with EC, it’s normal to have a lot of questions, and you may be unsure of what to do next. Keep reading to learn more about what to do after receiving a diagnosis, who is on the EC care team, and different treatments for EC.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND GETTING A SECOND OPINION
Being diagnosed with cancer often comes with a range of emotions—and a sense of urgency to start treatment right away. However, it’s important to understand your diagnosis and treatment options, and get answers to questions such as:
- Has the cancer spread?
- What stage is the cancer?
- What are the most common treatment options?
- Is there a clinical trial that may be a good fit?
Seeking a second opinion
A second opinion can help confirm your diagnosis, get a different perspective, and determine if there are other treatment options available. After your initial diagnosis, talk to the doctor and let them know you’re going to seek a second opinion. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking about seeing another physician, but most providers welcome a second opinion because it can provide confirmation of diagnosis and treatment, or even more information. Remember that it’s not uncommon to get a second opinion—and your doctor may even refer you to another provider.
STAGES OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER (EC)
If you receive an EC diagnosis, your provider may also tell you what stage of EC you have. Uterine cancers like EC are staged on a scale from I to IV. In some cases, your provider may not be able to tell what stage of cancer you have until surgery to remove the cancer has been performed. The stages are defined as follows:
STAGE I
STAGE II
STAGE III
STAGE IV
STAGE I
EC hasn’t spread beyond your uterus
STAGE II
EC has spread to your cervix
STAGE III
EC has spread to your vagina, ovaries, and/or lymph nodes
STAGE IV
EC has spread to your bladder or other organs far away from your uterus
Stages I and II are sometimes called early stage, while Stages III and IV are also referred to as advanced, late-stage or, for Stage IV, metastatic.
Looking for more detailed information about stages?
Visit SHARE’s website to learn more about stages and grades of uterine cancer.
WHO IS ON THE ENDOMETRIAL CANCER (EC) CARE TEAM?
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Medical oncologists
Medical oncologists are experts in treating cancer using different medical approaches, like chemotherapy or pharmaceutical drugs.
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Oncology nurses
Oncology nurses specialize in cancer care, and may work with you throughout diagnosis and treatment, help with medical information, assist in managing symptoms and side effects, and answer questions.
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Radiation oncologists
Radiation oncologists are experts in using radiation to treat cancer (if this is part of your treatment plan).
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Social Workers
Social workers have training in counseling and practical support with things like transportation (to and from appointments, for example), support programs, and more. They can be advocates for you and help you find emotional support. Some social workers specialize in supporting cancer patients.
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Patient navigators
Patient navigators can help educate you about cancer and facilitate conversations with providers. They can also guide you through diagnosis and treatment, coordinate treatment and care, and help you find financial, logistical, and educational resources.
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Registered dietitians
Registered dietitians can help you cope with some side effects of treatment you may experience and help you maintain healthy eating habits to aid in recovery.
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Genetic counselors
Genetic counselors can help determine your risk of getting certain types of cancer based on your personal and family medical history. These counselors will outline which genetic tests can assess your risk level, explain the testing process, pros and cons of genetic testing, what the tests can and cannot do and how well they work, and review test results with you once completed. If you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer, knowing about any gene mutations you may have can help your care team better understand how to treat your cancer.
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Palliative care experts
Palliative care experts are focused not only on end-of-life care, but also on improving the quality of life for people living with cancer. Their goal is to help manage symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatment. They can also help manage mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues that may come up.
TREATMENTS FOR ENDOMETRIAL CANCER (EC)
Click each box to learn more
Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy)
Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) is the most common treatment for EC. It’s usually done via a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, which has a relatively short recovery period.
Radiation
Radiation uses beams of intense energy—typically X-rays—to kill cancer cells and may be suggested before or after surgery.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy may work for some types of EC and is primarily used in young people who wish to have children in the future or if surgery is an unsafe option.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy includes a variety of medicines that target specific proteins, enzymes or mutations present within cancer cells to interrupt processes that allow cancer cells to grow, causing the cancer cells to die and limits damage to healthy cells. These medicines are either taken orally or infused intravenously during recurring visits to a hospital or doctor’s office. Targeted therapy is usually used in the treatment of advanced and recurrent EC (meaning, the cancer has returned after previous treatment).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses medicines to help your immune system find and destroy cancer cells. These drugs are infused intravenously during recurring visits to a hospital or doctor’s office over a period of time. Immunotherapy may be considered for EC if the cancer has progressed while on other treatments, has returned after a previous treatment (“recurs”), and/or has certain biomarkers.
JOINING A SUPPORT GROUP
If you’re living with endometrial cancer (EC), joining a support group may be a beneficial way to connect with others who have experienced endometrial or uterine cancers. Our partners host regular support group meetings.
Click the logos below to visit our partners’ websites and learn about their support groups
ADJUSTING TO A NEW NORMAL
After receiving a cancer diagnosis and starting treatment, a lot may change, and it's important to stay on top of taking care of and advocating for yourself.
You can work with your healthcare team to come up with a plan, which may include:
- Tracking and discussing treatment side-effects with your healthcare team
- Monitoring your symptoms
- Taking your medications, as prescribed
- Scheduling and getting follow-up tests
- Exploring rehabilitation options, like physical therapy and emotional support
- Making healthy lifestyle changes, like eating healthy and exercising regularly