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.

Moreover, the sera (serum), plasma amd PBMC specimens are processed from uterine (endometrial) patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.

 

Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Overview

Uterine cancer develops when, consequently, abnormal cells grow in the uterus and begin growing out of control. The uterus, or womb, serves as the place where, in fact, a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.

Doctors identify, notably, two main types of uterine cancer. The most common type, specifically, starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and is called endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancers, therefore, start in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and account for about 95% of all cases.

The second type, on the other hand, uterine sarcomas, develops in the muscle tissue (myometrium) and is a rarer form of uterine cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition, uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.

Furthermore, the National Cancer Institute estimates around 66,570 new uterine cancer cases, which represents 3.5% of all new cancer cases this year.

Types of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), researchers classify most cases of uterine (endometrial) cancer as adenocarcinomas. Specifically, doctors identify adenocarcinomas as cancers that develop from glandular tissue. Moreover, they recognize endometrioid cancer as the most common form of adenocarcinoma.

In addition, here are some of the less common forms of endometrial cancer:

  • Uterine carcinosarcoma (CS)
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Small cell carcinoma
  • Transitional carcinoma
  • Serous carcinoma

Furthermore, experts classify the different kinds of endometrial cancer into two main types:

  • Type 1 tends to grow relatively slowly and doesn’t spread quickly to other tissues
  • On the other hand, Type 2 tends to be more aggressive and is more likely to spread outside the uterus.

 Consequently, Type 1 endometrial cancers are more common than Type 2. Additionally, they are also easier to treat.

Stages of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

As the disease progresses, it can potentially allow endometrial cancer to spread (metastasize) from the uterus to other parts of the body.

Specifically, doctors classify the cancer into four stages based on how much it has grown or spread:

  • Firstly, Stage I: The cancer is only present in the uterus.
  • Secondly, Stage II: The cancer is present in the uterus and cervix.
  • Moreover, 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.

Consequently, in the endometrial cancer patients, the stage of the cancer affects what treatment options are available and the long-term outlook. In particular,** endometrial 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, the most common symptom is unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting.

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

Moreover, 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

The exact cause of uterine (endometrial) cancer remains unknown. However, experts believe that changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body often play a part.

For instance, something happens to create changes in the cells in the uterus. As a result, the mutated cells grow and multiply out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.

Furthermore, when those sex hormone levels fluctuate, they affect the endometrium. Specifically, when the balance shifts towards increased levels of estrogen, it causes endometrial cells to divide and multiply.

Consequently, if certain genetic changes occur in endometrial cells, the cells become cancer. In turn, those cancer cells rapidly grow and proliferate to form a tumor.

In addition, researchers are studying the changes that cause normal endometrial cells to become cancer cells.

Risk Factors of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

Age increases the risk of endometrial cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, doctors diagnose most cases of endometrial cancer between the ages of 45 and 74. Additionally, several other risk factors may also increase the risk of developing uterine (endometrial) cancer, including:

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

Moreover, female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, affect the health of your endometrium. Specifically, if the balance of these hormones shifts towards increased estrogen levels, it raises your risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Furthermore, certain aspects of medical history can influence your sex hormone levels and risk of endometrial cancer:

  • Years of menstruation: The more menstrual periods you’ve had in your life, the more exposure your body receives to estrogen. For instance, if you experienced your first period before you were 12 years old or went through menopause late in life, you may face an 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  In this hormonal disorder, estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are unusually low. Consequently, 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.

Moreover, if you’ve had one of these tumors, it raises your risk of endometrial cancer.

Medication Side Effects

Some types of medication can also change the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your body, including:

  • Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT): Doctors sometimes use ERT to treat symptoms of menopause. In contrast, 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.
  • Additionally, Tamoxifen: This drug helps prevent and treat certain types of breast cancer. Specifically, it can act like estrogen in your uterus and raise uterine (endometrial) cancer risk.
  • Furthermore, oral contraceptives: Taking birth control pills reduces your risk of endometrial cancer. Notably, the longer you take them, the lower your risk of endometrial cancer.

On the other hand, medications that raise your risk of uterine (endometrial) 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. Additionally, a healthcare provider usually performs a physical exam and a pelvic exam.

Following are some diagnostic tests that may confirm a diagnosis of uterine cancer:

Lab Tests:

  • First, the CA-125 assay measures CA-125, a protein, through a blood draw. Notably, a certain amount of CA-125 can indicate cancer in the body.

Imaging Tests:

  • In the case of imaging tests, CT scans take a series of detailed pictures of the inside of the body
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use radio waves and a powerful magnet to create images.Meanwhile, MRI scans use radio waves and a powerful magnet to create images
  • Furthermore, transvaginal ultrasound inserts a special probe (smooth, rounded device) into the vagina to get pictures of the uterus.

Other tests:

  • Moreover, an endometrial biopsy inserts a thin, flexible tube through the cervix, which is the opening of the vagina, and into the uterus. Consequently, the provider removes a small amount of the endometrium.
  •  In addition, 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.
  • Lastly, dilation and curettage (D&C) is a more complex surgical procedure to remove uterine tissue.

Finally, 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 cancer.

Treatment of Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

Following are some of the treatments that may be used to treat uterine (endometrial) cancer:

Surgery

Here are some treatments that doctors may use to treat uterine (endometrial) cancer:

Most doctors require surgery known as hysterectomy for endometrial cancer patients. A particular treatment plan depends on the type of cancer and the overall health of the patients.

During hysterectomy, the surgeon removes the uterus. They might also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes in a procedure known as a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Surgeons typically perform hysterectomy and BSO during the same surgical procedure.

To investigate, the surgeon will also remove nearby lymph nodes. This procedure is known as lymph node dissection or lymphadenectomy.

Moreover, 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.

Furthermore, the two main types of radiation therapy that treat endometrial cancer are:

  • Firstly, external beam radiation therapy: An external machine focuses beams of radiation on the uterus from outside your body.
  • Secondly, internal radiation therapy: Doctors place radioactive materials 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.

In addition, your doctor might recommend one or both types of radiation therapy after surgery. This is because it can help kill cancer cells that might remain after surgery. Conversely, in some rare cases, they might recommend radiation therapy before surgery. In this case, this can help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove.

Chemotherapy

On the other hand, chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. Specifically, some types of chemotherapy treatment involve one drug, while others involve a combination of drugs, which is called combination therapy. Depending on the situation, the drugs might be in pill form or given through an intravenous (IV).

Moreover, doctors might recommend chemotherapy for endometrial cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Alternatively, they might also recommend this treatment approach for uterine (endometrial) cancer that has returned after past treatment.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy uses hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to change the body’s hormone levels. Consequently, this can help slow the growth of endometrial cancer cells.

Furthermore, your doctor might recommend hormone therapy for stage III or stage IV endometrial cancer. In addition, they might also recommend it for endometrial cancer that has returned after treatment. Moreover, doctors often combine hormone therapy with chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

On the other hand, immunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer. Specifically, immunotherapy consists of a group of medicines that stimulate your immune system to target and kill cancer cells. Notably, it can work on its own or combine with chemotherapy.

You might receive immunotherapy through a plastic tube that goes into:

  • A large vein in your chest (central line)
  • In addition, a vein in your arm (cannula)

In general, 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

Now, turning to targeted therapies, this approach uses medications to target specific cancer cells to stop them from multiplying.

In fact, targeted therapies (also known as biological therapies) are medicines designed to slow the spread of advanced uterine (endometrial) cancer.

However, targeted therapies are only suitable for patients who have certain proteins in their cancerous cells. 

Biospecimens

Bay Biosciences is, indeed a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens, and human bio-fluid collections.

Specifically, aamples available include cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma, cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Moreover, Bay Biosciences maintains and manages its own biorepository, the human tissue bank (biobank) consisting of thousands of diseased samples (specimens) and from normal healthy donors available in all formats and types.

In fact, our biobank procures and stores fully consented, de-identified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples and matched controls.

Additionally, all our human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

In particular, critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Moreover, patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, and other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Specifically, Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and biological samples, including cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

For example fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC.

Furthermore, Bay Biosciences is a global leader in collecting and providing human tissue samples according to the specified requirements and customized, tailor-made collection protocols.

Therefore, please contact us anytime to discuss your special research projects and customized human tissue sample requirements.

Types of Biospecimens

Bay Biosciences provides human tissue samples (human specimens) from diseased and normal healthy donors which includes:

Customized Collections

Moreover, we can also procure most human bio-specimens, furthermore; we offer special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

In addition to the standard processing protocols, Bay Biosciences can also provide human plasma, serum, and PBMC bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols. Additionally you buy donor-specific collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquots from us.

Furthermore, Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

 

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