Providing the best possible Uterine Cancer Care for you
Uterine Cancer Treatment
Uterine cancer also is known as endometrial cancer, is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system.
The uterus also called the womb, is where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The most common type of uterine cancer is also called endometrial cancer because it forms in the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium.
There are 2 main types of uterine cancer. Most uterine cancers are endometrial carcinoma, which starts from cells in the lining of the uterus- the endometrium.
Uterine sarcoma develops in the supporting tissues of the uterus, including muscle, fat, bone, and fibrous tissue (material that forms ligaments and tendons). The third type of cancer called carcinosarcoma sometimes develops in the uterus. It has features of both carcinomas and sarcomas.
Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services has highly experienced specialists that are committed to providing timely and complete personalized care for women in Kenya and other areas.
Personalized Uterine Cancer Care at KLASS
Leading-edge treatments
Early detection of cervical problems is the best way to prevent uterine cancer. Routine annual pelvic examinations and Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions that can often be treated before cancer develops.
Women who are or have been sexually active or are older than 18 should have these regular exams.
At KLASS, our multi-disciplinary team of specialists offers a life-long, comprehensive approach to your care, from prevention and screening to advanced diagnosis and treatment techniques.
Our expert KLASS gynecologist in Kenya, Prof. Rafique Parkar provides comprehensive screening and diagnosis of uterine or endometrial cancer.
What are the causes of uterine cancer?
Risk factors include the following:
- Having endometrial hyperplasia.
- Being obese or overweight. Women who are obese have higher circulating levels of estrogen, which increases their risk for uterine/endometrial cancer.
- Having metabolic syndrome, a set of conditions that occur together, including extra fat around the abdomen, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoproteins in the blood.
- Never giving birth.
- Having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
- Have a history of infertility, irregular periods, or abnormal cells in the endometrium.
- Having a certain gene change that is linked to Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer).
- Having high levels of insulin in the blood.
What are the symptoms of uterine cancer?
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom. It can be foul-smelling, pus-like, or blood-tinged.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Pelvic pain or pressure.
- Pain with urination and/or sex.
Reducing the Risk for Uterine Cancer?
You may lower your risk of developing endometrial cancer by doing the following.
- Using birth control pills that have both estrogen and progesterone.
- Maintaining healthy body weight and being physically active. Physical activity may help protect against uterine cancer.
- Taking progesterone, if you are taking estrogen.
- Having children may help lower the risk.
How is uterine cancer diagnosed?
Uterine cancer may not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Some women may visit their doctor after experiencing abnormal bleeding or discharge.
Many of the same tests used to diagnose cancer are used to find out the stage, which is how far cancer has progressed.
The following tests are often the first step in making a uterine cancer diagnosis:
- Health history to record your symptoms, risk factors, and all the medical events and problems you have had in the past.
- Physical exam to help in looking for signs of uterine cancer such as weight and blood pressure.
- Transvaginal ultrasound to see if there are any masses in the uterus, find out the thickness of the endometrium, and check if it has spread to other areas.
- Hysteroscopy is commonly done if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding. It can help doctors find and diagnose abnormal changes inside the uterus.
- Endometrial biopsy – a sample of cells is removed from inside the uterus and sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope to find out if the changes are non-cancerous, precancerous, or cancerous.
How is uterine cancer treated?
If you’re diagnosed with uterine/endometrial cancer, rest assured you have some of Kenya’s best experts by your side. If you have uterine cancer, the team at KLASS will create a treatment plan just for you, based on your health and specific information about cancer. Our team will work closely with you through your uterine cancer treatment, which may include the latest surgical, medical and radiation therapies, as well as options like hormone therapy, which help slow the growth of endometrial cancer cells. Minimal Access Surgery for Uterine Cancer at KLASS Using less invasive methods, the top laparoscopic surgeon in Kenya does a pelvic exam while you are under general anesthesia. Then the laparoscopic surgeon makes an incision, in the abdomen to examine the organs and see if cancer has spread to them. This is called abdominal exploration (laparotomy). The surgeon may remove abnormal tissue samples and lymph nodes during surgery. Tissue samples, lymph nodes, and pelvic washings are sent to the lab and examined under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer cells. Depending on the type of tumour and whether or not you have other health problems, your surgeon may recommend surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery for Uterine Cancer Treatment
A total hysterectomy removes the cervix and uterus. The surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes.
A radical hysterectomy removes the cervix, the uterus, some of the structures and tissues near the cervix, and upper vagina and nearby lymph nodes.
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes both ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is usually done at the same time as a hysterectomy.
Lymph node dissection removes lymph nodes in the pelvis, abdomen or both. It is commonly done during surgery to remove uterine cancer. The lymph nodes are then examined to see if they contain cancer. This helps doctors predict prognosis and decide if a woman needs other treatment.
Pelvic exenteration removes the cervix, uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes and lymph nodes. The rectum, bladder or both may also be removed. Pelvic exenteration is sometimes done when uterine cancer recurs, or comes back, in the pelvis after it has been treated with radiation therapy.
Tumour debulking is surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. It may be used for advanced uterine cancer.
Your Laparoscopy Procedure With Prof. Rafique Pakar
Advanced techniques, faster healing
Prof. Rafique Parkar pioneered Minimal Access Surgery in Africa 25 years ago and operates at the highest level of expertise in Africa. ( Level VI )
He is committed to improving the lifestyles of women in Kenya and the world by helping them gain access to top-level minimal access surgery in Africa.
He strongly believes that all women have the right to informed consent and should have access to the best treatment plans suited for them and that is the reason why he founded KLASS ( Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services ).
Together with his team at KLASS, they provide the highest level of holistic surgical care to women, ensuring that they meet their individual health needs.
Prof. Rafique Parkar specializes in helping women who ail from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor Problems, Ectopic Pregnancies, and Gynecologic Cancers.
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