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Cáncer endometrial - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Adenocarcinoma endometrial; Adenocarcinoma uterino; Cáncer uterino; Adenocarcinoma del endometrio; Adenocarcinoma del útero; Cáncer del útero; Cáncer endometrial; Cáncer del cuerpo uterino

Definición:

Es un cáncer que comienza en el endometrio, el revestimiento del útero (matriz).

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

El endometrial es el tipo más común de cáncer uterino. Aunque no se conoce su causa exacta, el aumento de los niveles de estrógeno parece jugar un papel. El estrógeno ayuda a estimular la formación del revestimiento del útero. Los estudios han mostrado que los altos niveles de estrógeno en animales producen crecimiento endometrial excesivo y cáncer.

La mayoría de los casos de cáncer endometrial ocurre entre las edades de 60 y 70 años, pero unos cuantos casos pueden presentarse antes de los 40 años.

Los siguientes factores incrementan el riesgo de padecer cáncer endometrial:

  • Diabetes
  • Estrogenoterapia restitutiva sin el uso de progesterona
  • Antecedentes de pólipos endometriales u otros tumores benignos del revestimiento uterino
  • Esterilidad (incapacidad para quedar embarazada)
  • Períodos menstruales infrecuentes
  • Tamoxifeno, un fármaco para el tratamiento del cáncer de mama
  • Nunca haber estado en embarazo
  • Obesidad
  • Síndrome del ovario poliquístico (SOP)
  • Inicio de la menstruación a temprana edad (antes de los 12 años)
  • Comenzar la menopausia después de los 50 años

Las afecciones asociadas abarcan las siguientes:

  • Reviewed last on: 2/21/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2009. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2009.

Park CK, Apte S, Acs G, Harris EER. Cancer of the endometrium. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna WG, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 92.

Lu K, Slomovitz BM. Neoplastic diseases of the uterus: Endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial carcinoma, sarcoma: Diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 32.

Hernandez E, American College of Obstericians and Gynecologists. ACOG practice bulletin number 65: management of endometrial cancer. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107(4):952.

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