Bay Biosciences provides high-quality, biopsy tissue samples. FFPE tissue blocks with matching fresh, frozen sera (serum), plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids from patients diagnosed with uterine (endometrial) cancer.
The sera (serum), plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from uterine (endometrial) patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.
Biopsy tissue and matched biofluid samples are collected from unique patients diagnosed with uterine (endometrial) cancer and are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.
Sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluids are processed from uterine (endometrial) cancer patients peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.
Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Overview
Cancer of the uterus occurs when abnormal cells develop in the uterus and begin growing out of control. The uterus, or womb, is the place where a baby grows when a women is pregnant.
There are two main types of uterine cancer. The most common type starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This type is also called endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancers begin in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and account for about 95% of all cases.
The second types are uterine sarcomas, which develop in the muscle tissue (myometrium), and is a rarer form of uterine cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.
National Cancer Institute estimates 66,570 of new uterine cancer cases or 3.5% of all new cancer cases this year.
Types of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
Most cases of the uterine (endometrial) cancer are adenocarcinomas according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Adenocarcinomas are cancers that develop from glandular tissue. The most common form of adenocarcinoma is endometrioid cancer.
Following are some of the less common forms of endometrial cancer:
- uterine carcinosarcoma (CS)
- squamous cell carcinoma
- small cell carcinoma
- transitional carcinoma
- serous carcinoma
The different kinds of endometrial cancer are classified into two main types:
- Type 1 tend to be relatively slow growing and don’t spread quickly to other tissues.
- Type 2 tend to be more aggressive and are more likely to spread outside the uterus.
Type 1 endometrial cancers are more common than type 2. They are also easier to treat.
Stages of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
As the disease progresses, endometrial cancer can potentially spread (metastasize) from the uterus to other parts of the body.
The cancer is classified into four stages based on how much it has grown or spread:
- Stage I: The cancer is only present in the uterus.
- Stage II: The cancer is present in the uterus and cervix.
- Stage III: The cancer has spread outside the uterus, but not as far as the rectum or bladder. It might be present in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina and nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area. It might be present in the bladder, rectum, and distant tissues and organs.
In the endometrial cancer patients, the stage of the cancer affects what treatment options are available and the long-term outlook. Endometrial cancer cancer is easier to treat in the early stages of the disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
For most women with uterine sarcoma, unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting is the most common symptom.
Following are the other common signs and symptoms of uterine (endometrial) tumors:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or watery or blood tinged discharge
- Constant feeling fullness
- Changes in the length or heaviness of menstrual periods
- Frequent urination
- Lower abdomen or pelvic pain
- Mass (lump or growth) in the vagina
- Pain during intercourse
- Spotting between menstrual period
- Trouble urinating
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is often caused by menopause or other non-cancerous conditions. But in some cases, it’s a sign of endometrial cancer or other types of gynecological cancer.
Causes of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
Exact cause of uterine (endometrial) cancer is unknown. However, experts believe that changes in the level of estrogen and progesterone in the body often plays a part.
Something happens to create changes in cells in the uterus. The mutated cells grow and multiply out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.
When the levels of those sex hormones fluctuate, it affects the endometrium. When the balance shifts towards increased levels of estrogen, it causes endometrial cells to divide and multiply.
If certain genetic changes occur in endometrial cells, they become cancer. Those cancer cells rapidly grow and proliferate to form a tumor.
Researchers are studying the changes that cause normal endometrial cells to become cancer cells.
Risk Factors of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
The risk of endometrial cancer increases with age. Most cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 74 according to the National Cancer Institute.
Several other risk factors may also increase the risk of developing uterine (endometrial) cancer, including:
- Changes in sex hormone levels
- Certain medical conditions
- Family history of cancer
Hormone Levels
Estrogen and progesterone are female sex hormones that affect the health of your endometrium. If the balance of these hormones shifts towards increased estrogen levels, it raises your risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Certain aspects of your medical history can affect your sex hormone levels and risk of endometrial cancer, including:
- Years of menstruation: The more menstrual periods that you’ve had in your life, the more exposure your body has had to estrogen. If you got your first period before you were 12 years old or you went through menopause late in life, you may be at increased risk of endometrial cancer.
- History of pregnancy: During pregnancy, the balance of hormones shifts towards progesterone. If you’ve never been pregnant, your chances of developing endometrial cancer are heightened.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): In this hormonal disorder, estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are unusually low. If you have a history of PCOS, your chances of getting endometrial cancer are increased.
- Granulosa cell tumors: Granulosa cell tumors are a type of ovarian tumor that release estrogen. If you’ve had one of these tumors, it raises your risk of endometrial cancer.
Some types of medication can also change the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your body, including:
- Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT): ERT is sometimes used to treat symptoms of menopause. Unlike other types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that combine estrogen and progesterone (progestin), ERT uses estrogen alone and raises your risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer.
- Tamoxifen: This drug is used to help prevent and treat certain types of breast cancer. It can act like estrogen in your uterus and raise uterine (endometrial) cancer risk.
- Oral contraceptives: Taking birth control pills reduces your risk of endometrial cancer. The longer you take them, the lower your risk of endometrial cancer.
Medications that raise your risk of uterine (endometria)l cancer may lower your risk of some other conditions. Conversely, drugs that lower your risk of endometrial cancer may raise your risk of some conditions.
Diagnosis of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
To diagnose uterine (endometrial) cancer your doctor will ask about your symptoms, risk factors and family history. A physical exam and a pelvic is also usually performed.
Following are some of the diagnostics tests may be performed to confirm a diagnosis of uterine cancer:
Lab Tests:
- CA-125 assay is a blood draw that measures CA-125, a protein. A certain amount of CA-125 can point to cancer in the body.
Imaging Tests:
- CT scans take a series of detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
- MRI scans use radio waves and a powerful magnet to create images.
- Transvaginal ultrasound inserts a special probe (smooth, rounded device) into the vagina to get pictures of the uterus.
Other tests:
- Endometrial biopsy inserts a thin, flexible tube through the cervix, which is opening of the vagina, and into the uterus. The provider removes a small amount of the endometrium.
- Hysteroscopy inserts a hysteroscope, a long thin tube, through the vagina and cervix to reach the uterus. This narrow instrument with a light and camera provides detailed images of the uterus.
- Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a more complex surgical procedure to remove uterine tissue.
If you had a D&C or biopsy to remove tissue samples, your doctor will send the biopsy tissue sample to a lab to confirm if there is cancer.
Treatment of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
Following are some of the treatments that may be used to treat uterine (endometrial) cancer:
Surgery
Most endometrial cancer patients require surgery known as hysterectomy. A particular treatment plan depends on the type of cancer and the overall health of the patients.
During hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the uterus. They might also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes, in a procedure known as a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Hysterectomy and BSO are typically performed during the same surgical procedure.
To learn if the cancer has spread, the surgeon will also remove nearby lymph nodes. This is known as lymph node dissection or lymphadenectomy.
If the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, the surgeon might recommend additional surgeries.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Following are the two main types of radiation therapy used to treat endometrial cancer:
- External beam radiation therapy: An external machine focuses beams of radiation on the uterus from outside your body.
- Internal radiation therapy: Radioactive materials are placed inside the body, in the vagina or uterus. This is also known as brachytherapy.
Your doctor might recommend one or both types of radiation therapy after surgery. This can help kill cancer cells that might remain after surgery. In some rare cases, they might recommend radiation therapy before surgery. This can help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. Some types of chemotherapy treatment involve one drug, while others involve a combination of drugs, which is called combination therapy. Depending on the type of chemotherapy that you receive, the drugs might be in pill form or given through an intravenous (IV).
Doctors might recommend chemotherapy for endometrial cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. They might also recommend this treatment approach for uterine (endometrial) cancer that has returned after past treatment.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy involves the use of hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to change the body’s hormone levels. This can help slow the growth of endometrial cancer cells.
Your doctor might recommend hormone therapy for stage III or stage IV endometrial cancer. They might also recommend it for endometrial cancer that has returned after treatment. Hormone therapy is often combined with chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer. Immunotherapy is a group of medicines that stimulate your immune system to target and kill cancer cells. It can be used on its own or combined with chemotherapy.
You might have immunotherapy through a plastic tube that goes into:
- a large vein your chest (central line)
- a vein in your arm (cannula)
It takes around 30 to 60 minutes to receive a dose, and you will normally take a dose every 2 to 4 weeks.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy, which uses medications to target specific cancer cells to stop them from multiplying.
Targeted therapies (also known as biological therapies) are medicines designed to slow the spread of advanced uterine (endometrial) cancer.
Targeted therapies are only suitable for patients who have certain proteins in their cancerous cells. Your doctor may request tests on cells removed through biopsy from your uterus to see if these treatments are suitable for you.
Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens and human bio-fluid collections.
Samples available are cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma cancer PBMC and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.
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Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, FFPE’s, tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC’s.
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