Study Evaluates Incidence of Lymphedema Resulting from Cancer Treatment 08/08/2010
A systematic review of 47 studies evaluating treatment for melanoma, head and neck cancer, genitourinary cancers, gynecologic cancers, and sarcoma indicates that lymphedema is a common side effect of treatment for these diseases. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer.[1] Lymphedema is the buildup of lymph fluid in ...

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer Associated with Better Quality of Life 08/02/2010
Laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer that is confined to the uterus is associated with less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and better quality of life when compared with total abdominal hysterectomy, according to the results of two studies published in The Lancet Oncology.[1][2] Endometrial cancer is cancer of ...

High Circulating Vitamin D Levels Don’t Reduce Risk of Less Common Cancers 07/12/2010
High levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream do not appear to reduce the risk of seven less common cancers: endometrial, esophageal, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, there was a suggestion that people with the highest vitamin D levels may have an increased risk of pancreatic ...

Two Behaviors May Affect Risk of Endometrial Cancer 05/20/2010
Two recent studies have identified behaviors that may affect risk of endometrial cancer: physical activity, which may reduce risk, and perineal use of talcum powder, which may increase risk. Results from both of these studies were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.[1],[2] Uterine (endometrial) cancer is the ...

Vaginal Brachytherapy Effective for Endometrial Cancer 03/17/2010
Among women who have undergone surgery for high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer, vaginal brachytherapy is as effective as pelvic external beam radiotherapy in the prevention of vaginal recurrence and produces fewer side effects. These results were published in Lancet. Uterine (endometrial) cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer ...

Regular Aspirin Use May Reduce Risk of Ovarian Cancer 02/17/2010
According to results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study, regular aspirin use may reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer but does not appear to affect the risk of endometrial cancer. These results were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) include drugs ...

Excess Body Weight Linked with More Than 100,000 New Cancer Diagnoses Each Year in U.S. 11/09/2009
According to estimates from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), excess body weight may be responsible for more than 100,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. Excess body weight is increasingly recognized as a risk factor not only for cancer development but also for worse outcomes after ...

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy May Improve Survival in Stage III Uterine Cancer 10/22/2009
Among women with node-positive Stage III uterine cancer, use of adjuvant (post-surgery) radiation therapy appears to improve survival. These results were published in Gynecologic Oncology. Stage III uterine cancer extends outside the uterus but remains confined to the pelvis. Stage IIIA cancers invade the lining of the pelvis or fallopian tubes, ...

Coffee Consumption May Reduce Risk of Uterine Cancer 10/20/2009
Coffee consumption may reduce the incidence of uterine cancer, especially among overweight and obese women, according to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.[1] Researchers continue to evaluate the link between dietary intake and cancer. Several studies have shown a reduced risk of uterine cancer ...

Removal of Ovaries May Not Be Necessary in Young Women with Endometrial Cancer 01/29/2009
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, removal of the ovaries may not be necessary in young women treated with hysterectomy for early-stage endometrial (uterine) cancer.Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus. Although it is the most frequently diagnosed ...

Pelvic Lymphadenectomy Does Not Improve Survival in Stage I Endometrial Cancer 12/29/2008
Pelvic lymphadenectomy (removal of pelvic lymph nodes) may be valuable for staging in endometrial cancer; however, it does not improve survival rates in women with Stage I endometrial cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Updates in the Management of Gynecologic Cancers 05/27/2008
The 39th Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) was held in Tampa, Florida, from March 9 to 12, 2008, and was attended by more than 1,000 oncologists and other healthcare professionals.Established to “promote and ensure the highest quality of comprehensive clinical care through excellence in education ...

Sunlight Linked to Lower Endometrial Cancer Rates 12/10/2007
According to the results of a study published in Preventive Medicine, countries with higher levels of sunlight tend to have lower rates of endometrial cancer; this may be due the link between sunlight and vitamin D.Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in women, with an estimated 39,000 ...

Higher Levels of Immune Cells Linked to Risk of Cancer in Postmenopausal Women 10/03/2007
According to results recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, postmenopausal women with higher levels of white blood cells (a type of immune cell) have a higher risk of developing specific types of cancer and dying from cancer.Inflammatory and immune system processes are thought to play significant roles ...

Better Quality of Life with Vaginal Brachytherapy for Endometrial Cancer 09/24/2007
Among women who received post-surgery radiation therapy for endometrial cancer, vaginal brachytherapy (a type of internal radiation therapy) resulted in better quality of life than external beam radiation therapy. These results were presented at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14).Some patients with endometrial cancer receive adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment with ...

Psychosocial Needs of Survivors of Gynecologic Cancers Must Be Addressed 01/29/2007
According to an article recently published in Gynecologic Oncology, nearly one-third of survivors of a gynecologic cancer suffer from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.Patients who are survivors of cancer often struggle with psychological or emotional distress. In order to improve a patient's quality of life, these issues must ...

In-hospital Deaths Lower for High-volume Surgeons for Uterine Cancer 12/06/2006
According to an article recently published in Gynecologic Oncology, short term outcomes of surgery for uterine cancer are better if the surgery is performed by surgeons who perform a high volume of these surgeries. Complicated surgery for cancer is increasingly being performed in specialized centers. This is the result of ...

Additional Evidence that Estrogen Alone Increases the Risk of Endometrial Cancer 11/09/2006
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology provides additional evidence that postmenopausal hormone therapy consisting of estrogen alone increases the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer in women who have not had a hysterectomy. Consistent with most previous studies, use of combined estrogen plus progestin did not increase ...

Study Explores Risk of Breast, Uterine, and Ovarian Cancer in Women with AIDS 09/29/2006
According to the results of a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, women with AIDS have a lower risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer than women in the general population; risk of breast cancer was lower among women with AIDS in the pre-HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era, ...

More Extensive Lymph Node Removal Improves Survival in Intermediate- and High-risk Endometrial Cancer Patients 09/25/2006
According to the results of a study published in the journal Cancer, removal of a larger number of lymph nodes improves survival among women with intermediate or high-risk endometrial cancer (Stage IB, Grade 3; Stage IC-IV, all grades). Endometrial cancer is a cancer of the uterus and is the most ...

Oral Contraceptives and Intrauterine Devices Reduce Risk of Uterine Cancer 09/15/2006
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and intrauterine devices (IUDs) reduce the risk of developing uterine cancer. The uterus, or womb, is located in a woman's pelvis. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer and refers ...

Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy Provide Similar Outcomes for Early Uterine Cancer 08/17/2006
According to an article recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, treatment including either chemotherapy or radiation therapy following surgery provides similar outcomes among patients with early, high-risk uterine cancer. The uterus, or womb, is located in a woman's pelvis. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine ...

Chemotherapy Superior to Radiation in the treatment of Carcinosarcoma of the Uterus 06/06/2006
Chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival compared to whole abdominal radiation in the treatment of women with a rare form of uterine cancer—carcinosarcoma of the uterus—who have undergone surgery to remove most of their disease. These results were presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the American Society ...

Removal of Lymph Nodes During Surgery Improves Survival of Patients with Endometrial Uterine Cancer 06/06/2006
The removal of lymph nodes during surgery appears to improve cancer-free survival among some patients with endometrial uterine cancer. These findings were presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 2-6, 2006. Endometrial cancer is a cancer of the ...

HER2 Expression Predicts Worse Survival in Endometrial Cancer 05/22/2006
According to an early online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, amplified expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is associated with more aggressive cancer and worse survival among patients with endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer of the uterus, or womb. Endometrial cancer is the ...

Radiation Improves Survival in Stage I Endometrial Cancer 01/26/2006
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), radiation following surgery improves survival in patients with stage I endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer of the uterus, or womb. Endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecologic cancer in the U.S. Fortunately, ...

Prophylactic Surgery Reduces Gynecologic Cancer Risk in Women with Lynch Syndrome 01/19/2006
Preventive surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries appears to greatly reduce the risk of developing endometrial or ovarian cancer among women with Lynch Syndrome. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Lynch Syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), results from inherited mutations in ...

Sonography May Help Predict Recurrences in Asymptomatic Women with Gynecologic Cancers 12/01/2005
According to a recent article published in Gynecologic Oncology, the use of ultrasound, or sonography, appears highly accurate in detecting cancer recurrences in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers who display no other symptoms of a recurrence. Gynecologic cancers may include cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, or vulva. ...

Updated Results Confirm Tamoxifen Risks and Benefits 11/21/2005
Updated results from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Breast Cancer Prevention Trial, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, are similar to initial findings: Among women at high risk of breast cancer, treatment with five years of tamoxifen reduces the risk of breast cancer ...

Risk of Ovarian Cancer in Young Endometrial Cancer Patients 10/06/2005
According to a study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, roughly 25% of young women with endometrial cancer may also have ovarian cancer. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus. With approximately 36,100 new cases each year, endometrial cancer is one of the ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Papillary Serous Carcinoma May Improve Survival 09/12/2005
Patients with stage I uterine papillary serous carcinoma have fewer cancer recurrences and longer survival when treated with platinum-based chemotherapy in addition to surgery, according to a study published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.   Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a relatively uncommon but aggressive type of uterine cancer. Patients ...

Brachytherapy Effective for Stage I Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer 08/12/2005
Brachytherapy after surgery for stage I endometrial cancer appears to be an effective alternative to external beam radiation therapy, according to a study published in the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, Physics. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), or womb. With ...

Estrogen plus Progestin May Increase the Risk of Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer 08/10/2005
Although treatment of menopausal symptoms with estrogen alone is known to increase the risk of endometrial cancer, estrogen plus progestin may also increase the risk, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer that begins in the lining of the ...

Stress and Depression Frequent Among Women Treated for Gynecological Cancers 02/22/2005
According to the results of a study recently published in Gynecologic Oncology , women with gynecologic cancer often experience emotional stress and depression after losing their fertility from cancer treatment. Gynecologic cancers are malignancies that involve any part of the female reproductive organs. Unfortunately many of the areas affected, such ...

Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Endometrial Cancer 05/07/2004
According to results presented at the 95th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer refers to cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), or womb. Endometrial cancer is one of the most common ...

Combination Chemotherapy Superior to Radiation for Advanced Endometrial Cancer 06/19/2003
According to results presented at the plenary session of the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the chemotherapy combination of Adriamycin® (doxorubicin)and Platinol® (cisplatin) improves survival compared to whole abdominal radiation therapy for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer. Cancer of the endometrium is ...

Asymptomatic Women Taking Tamoxifen Do Not Benefit from Routine Screening 02/26/2002
Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, is taken by a great number of women as treatment for breast cancer, or as a preventative measure against the development of breast cancer. Although Tamoxifen is attributed to improving survival in a large percentage of breast cancer patients, its long-term use has shown ...

Long-Term Use of Tamoxifen Increases the Risk of Uterine Cancer 02/26/2002
The use of tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, is commonly used to prevent a cancer recurrence in women with certain types of breast cancer. In many clinical trials, tamoxifen has been shown to decrease the risk of a cancer recurrence and increase overall survival in women with breast cancer ...

Women Who Are Overweight or Have Diabetes Are at Increased Risk for Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
Women who are currently overweight or have diabetes appear to be at increased risk for developing endometrial cancer, according to a recent report from researchers in Sweden. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the lining of the uterus, or womb. This common ...

Hormone Therapy May Be Effective as Primary Treatment for Some Women with "Well Differentiated" Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The use of hormone therapy may be a safe and effective alternative to a hysterectomy for some young women who have endometrial cancer. This approach may benefit women who have a particular grade of disease, or well differentiated cancer, and who wish to preserve their reproductive capability. Cancer of ...

Radiation Therapy after Surgery Is Not Needed for Many Women with Stage I Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The treatment of endometrial cancer often involves surgery, followed by radiation therapy. Now, Dutch researchers report that radiation therapy may not be necessary for many women with stage I disease. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the lining of the uterus, or ...

Urine Test, Rather than Blood Test, Is Recommended for Diagnosis of Choriocarcinoma 02/26/2002
Choriocarcinoma is a rare but highly curable cancer of gestation that is usually detected shortly after pregnancy. A hormone called beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is present during a normal pregnancy; however, if it is present after a pregnancy, choriocarcinoma is suspected. Therefore, women in whom HCG is ...

Surgery, Followed by Radiation Therapy and Other Therapies, Produces High Survival Rates in Women with Stage IIIC Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The use of surgery, followed by radiation therapy and sometimes also chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy, produced a 5-year survival rate of 72% in women with stage IIIC endometrial cancer, according to a recent report by researchers in Indiana. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of cancer ...

Surgery, Followed by Radiation Therapy, Appears Effective for Many Women with Stage II Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
More than 70% of women with stage II cancer of the endometrium are able to survive, free of disease, after treatment with surgery and post-surgical radiation therapy, researchers from Chicago recently reported. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the lining of the ...

Brachytherapy Alone after Surgery Yields High Cure Rates in Women with Stage I Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The treatment of endometrial cancer often involves surgery, either alone or followed by radiation therapy. Recently, researchers in Florida reported that the use of brachytherapy (a form of radiation therapy) after surgery resulted in 93 to 100% survival rates in women with stage I disease. Cancer of the endometrium ...

New Hormone Therapy, SERM LY353381, May Benefit Some Women with Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
Preliminary study results on a new type of hormone therapy, currently known as SERM LY353381, indicate that this new agent may be an additional treatment option for women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Further investigation of SERM LY353381 is ongoing, according to researchers at the recent American ...

A Higher "Grade" of Cancer of the Endometrium May Indicate Need for More Aggressive Therapy After Surgery 02/26/2002
Researchers in Switzerland have now defined the risk for a cancer recurrence (return), based on the grade of cancer (or degree of differentiation from healthy cells), for women who have undergone surgery and radiation therapy for stage I endometrial cancer. A higher grade of cancer appears to be ...

Chemo and Hormone Therapy Combo Produces High Response Rate in Women with Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
Greek researchers recently reported a response rate of nearly 75% in women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who received a combination of chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The responses in 2 women were in fact complete and long lasting. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of ...

Megestrol and Tamoxifen Combo Is Active against Recurrent or Advanced Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
A combination of megestrol acetate and tamoxifen may be more effective against advanced or recurrent cancer of the endometrium than megestrol acetate alone, according to researchers from the Gynecologic Oncology Group, who are presenting their findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in New Orleans. Cancer ...

Doxorubicin/Paclitaxel and Doxorubicin/Cisplatin Are Equally Effective against Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The chemotherapy combination of doxorubicin and paclitaxel appears to be equal in effectiveness to the standard regimen of doxorubicin and cisplatin in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, according to a report by the Gynecologic Oncology Group at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. Cancer ...

Radical Radiation Therapy Regimen Produces Cure in More than Half of Women with Local Recurrence of Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The use of a combination of external-beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy (radioactive implants) may offer promise for women with endometrial cancer that has recurred in the area of the uterus (or local recurrence), according to Canadian researchers. Their recently published report shows that this treatment regimen resulted in ...

Intensive Chemotherapy Is Effective for Women Previously Treated for Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors 02/26/2002
Gestational trophoblastic tumors are rare but highly curable cancers that develop from the products in the uterus (or womb) after conception of the sperm and egg. Some women with gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT) can be cured with surgery, while others need chemotherapy. Most women who need chemotherapy (95 ...

Brachytherapy after Surgery Appears to Help Prevent Recurrences in Persons with Stage I Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
The use of brachytherapy (radioactive implants) after surgery for stage I endometrial cancer appears to help prevent cancer recurrences in the area of the uterus, according to a new study by Arizona researchers. This finding offers hope for an effective alternative to external-beam radiation therapy for women with ...

Oral Etoposide Shows Modest Activity, with Minimal Side Effects, against Recurrent Endometrial Cancer 02/26/2002
Chemotherapy with oral etoposide may benefit women who have recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer, and may hold promise for improved effectiveness when used in combination with other drugs, according to a recent report by the Southwest Oncology Group. Cancer of the endometrium is characterized by the presence of cancer ...