Treatment for womb cancer
Womb cancer is sometimes called endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the lining of the womb. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of womb cancer.
Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of womb cancer you have, how big it is, whether it has spread (the stage) and the grade. It also depends on your general health.
The main treatment is surgery. After surgery, or if surgery isn't possible, you might have chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of treatments. You may also have treatment to reduce the symptoms and help you feel better. A team of doctors and other professionals discuss the best treatment and care for you.
Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)
There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.
Treatment options for womb cancer
A team of health professionals decides what treatment you might need. They also decide what treatment options you have.
Surgery for womb cancer
Most women with womb cancer have surgery to remove the womb. The operation you have depends on how far the cancer has grown.
Chemotherapy for womb cancer
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream.
Radiotherapy for womb cancer
Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to kill womb cancer cells. You might have radiotherapy after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back or to help control the symptoms of advanced cancer. You might also have internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy).
Hormone therapy for womb cancer
Hormones are substances that occur naturally in the body. They control the growth and activity of our cells. You might have hormone therapy for advanced womb cancer or womb cancer that has come back.
Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for womb cancer
Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them to grow and survive. Other drugs help the immune system to attack cancer. They are called immunotherapies.
Follow up after treatment for womb cancer
After treatment for womb cancer, you have checkups at the hospital. You also have tests, including blood tests, x-rays and scans.
Controlling symptoms of advanced womb cancer
Unfortunately, advanced womb cancer can't usually be cured, but there are a number of ways to control symptoms.
