|
|
|
| | Ask the Doctor |
|
Free Medical Advice sponsored by
|
| |
|
|
Got an ache or pain? Have a question about a prescription or over-the-counter drug? Looking for some FREE medical advice?
|
|
|
|
Question:
|
|
|
| Hello and congratulations once more for the wonderful job you are doing here. Sadly, a friend of mine(f/45)is diagnosed with cancer in the uterus. Is this condition curable/treatable? Are there sufficient facilities in Moscow to handle this job, or western help should be seeked? What could be the cost range for the overall follow-up; including therapy, surgery, hospitalization and alike... Thanks in advance and keep up the good work!
|
|
|
Answer:
|
|
|
| Thank you for your inquiry and best wishes for your friend. Cancer of the uterus is a malignant growth of cells in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. The uterus (womb) is the muscular organ at the top of the vagina. Babies develop in the uterus, and menstrual blood comes from the uterus. This type of cancer is also called uterine or endometrial cancer. Uterine cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. It occurs most often in women between the ages of 50 and 70. To be able to determine what is best treatment option, uterine cancer need to be graded and staged. The grade is assessed by looking microscopically at the cells of the cancer. Grades are from 1 to 3 with 3 being the worst prognosis. The stage is determined by surgical exploration with removal of the uterus(hysterectomy), fallopian tubes (tubes from the ovary to the uterus), ovaries and some lymph nodes. Essentially staging is done to determine how much the cancer has spread locally and to other parts of the body. Treatment of uterine cancers is usually by a combination of surgery and radiation. Usually if there is only limited invasion into the wall of the uterus and the grade is good, i.e. grade I or II, then the surgery will be sufficient and no radiation will be recommended. If of higher stage and grade then radiation to the pelvis will often be advised. Some doctors prefer to give radiation prior to surgery but that is becoming less prevalent. Advanced stages are treated by radiation if possible, or chemotherapy. Fortunately, progesterone, which has few side effects, is a good chemotherapeutic. Other types of chemotherapy have limited effectiveness but are often used and can give an initially good response. With early treatment, more than 80% of women with uterine cancer survive more than 5 years and most are completely cured. The longer the condition goes untreated, the lower the survival rate. As for cost, this very much depends on the grade and stage of the disease which will define treatment as well as the facility that is chosen. I would recommend that the issue of choosing a facility be discussed on a one on one basis with a doctor that your friend trusts as there are usually several issues that are involved in making this important decision and these need to be discussed thoroughly. Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The virtual community for English-speaking expats and Russians
