According to the American Cancer Society, over 65,000 cases of uterine cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, our uterine cancer experts develop precision-guided treatment plans designed specifically for you. Our specially-trained surgeons use the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway to understand your specific biology improving recovery time and pain management. At Hoag, when it comes to cancer, you are not alone.
At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we treat many types of cancer in many different ways. As a top choice in Orange County, Hoag offers the largest and most comprehensive cancer program in the county. Our world-class teams of top-ranked oncologists, surgeons, scientists, nurse navigators, radiation oncologists, pathologists, therapists, pharmacists, social workers, rehabilitation therapists and more work shoulder to shoulder to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for all of you—body, mind and spirit—every step of the way.
Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer. The uterus is a muscular, pear-shaped reproductive organ in women in which a fetus might grow. Uterine cancer develops when cells in the uterus develop mutations that cause the cells to multiply out of control without eventually dying as healthy cells do. These abnormal cells can accumulate into tumors that can potentially spread to other areas of the body.
There are two main types of uterine cancer:
One of the strongest risk factors for uterine cancer is being overweight. This is due to the higher level of estrogen in the blood of heavier people, which increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer. Hoag offers help with weight management in order to minimize the health risks that come with it. Other risk factors for uterine cancer include:
Currently, the only way for women to definitely avoid developing uterine cancer is to have the uterus removed through radical hysterectomy. But, there are steps doctors at Hoag can help you with that may reduce the risk of developing uterine cancer including:
Currently, there is no definitive, non-invasive test to screen for uterine cancer. If you have symptoms that suggest uterine cancer, your doctor will talk to you about the issues you are having, followed by a pelvic exam.
Other tests or procedures to help diagnose or rule out uterine cancer may include:
Endometrial cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, though treatment for uterine sarcoma may also involve removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. Your multidisciplinary Hoag treatment team will work with you to develop a personalized plan depending on your individual situation. Your treatment will depend on a number of factors, including:
As a leading provider of advanced gynecologic care, Hoag treats more women than any other hospital in Orange County. You can trust Hoag for your uterine cancer treatment.
Our dedicated ovarian cancer nurse navigators will be there for you following your diagnosis to help you find resources, review your options and support you in making informed decisions at every step of your cancer treatment and recovery.
Your treatment options for uterine cancer can depend on several factors, including your age, other conditions you may have and how advanced the cancer is at the time of diagnosis. Hoag can help with several treatment options for uterine cancer including:
Facing surgery can be a frightening prospect, but it is a vital component in the successful treatment of many gynecologic cancers. The Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s medical team includes experienced, fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologists who utilize the latest techniques and technology in the surgical management of many different cancers found in women, including uterine cancer.
Radical cancer surgery is a surgical procedure in which physicians remove the entire tumor, a margin of normal tissues, and in some cases, nearby lymph nodes. At Hoag, our surgeons have undergone extensive training in radical gynecologic cancer surgery and procedures, including in the areas of:
At Hoag, our team applies a multidisciplinary approach to cancer surgery. Our physicians work together on your care, consulting with colleagues in plastic surgery, anesthesia and other specialties to help patients achieve better outcomes, maintain sexual and urinary function and preserve overall quality of life.
Hoag surgeons utilize the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway, an approach focused on understanding a patient’s specific biology to improve recovery time and pain management. With ERAS, patients become an active participant in their recovery in four key areas:
With ERAS, post-surgical patients require fewer narcotics, suffer from less constipation, are able to return to eating normally sooner and have a recovery period that is, on average, two days faster.
Hoag’s non surgical options, including chemotherapy and radiation therapies, are world-class as well. Hoag Newport Beach was recently named a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence (RTCoE) by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), a distinction held by only 17 centers in the U.S. including Stanford Health Care, Harvard Medical School and the University of California — San Francisco.
Explore advanced treatment technologies for cervical cancer available at Hoag.
The stages of uterine cancer treatment, including radiation therapy and surgery, can sometimes impact a person’s ability to conceive and bear a child. If you are considering having children in the future, you can discuss fertility options with your doctor. These may include:
Fertility preservation works best if initiated prior to your cancer treatment. These options, such as egg or embryo freezing, can be completed within approximately two weeks of diagnosis so as not to compromise initiation of your cancer treatment. To help patients understand the impact of gynecological cancer treatment on their fertility, Hoag has developed a series of questions you can ask your oncologist or fertility specialist .