Uterine Cancer Staging And How Stages Affect Choices Of Treatment

How Is Uterine Cancer Staged?

When a person is diagnosed with uterine cancer, doctors will “stage” the cancer. This is a process to determine how advanced it is, and if it has spread. The stage of a cancer helps to determine the seriousness of the cancer and the best way to treat it. When uterine cancer staging is done via a biopsy of tissue removed during an operation, it is known as surgical or pathologic staging. If surgery is not possible, the cancer will be staged clinically instead, based on physical exams, and any other biopsy and diagnostic imaging tests (e.g. MRI, CT scans and /or PET) done before surgery.

Uterine Cancer Stages

Uterine cancer can be classified into four stages:

Stage I: The cancer is only in the uterus.

Stage II: The cancer is in the uterus and in the cervix.

Stage III: The cancer has spread beyond the uterus and into the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries and/or nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IVA: The cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area and is in the bladder and/or rectum.

Stage IVB: The cancer has spread to distant organs such as the abdominal lining, lungs, liver and/or bones.

Treatments For Uterine Cancer Based On Stages

For Stage I and II uterine cancer, surgery is the usual form of treatment given. About 90% of Stage I uterine cancer can be treated successfully with surgery alone. However, tiny cancers may sometimes remain in the body even after surgery removes all visible cancers. These may not able be detectible with tests currently available. The oncologist will advise after surgery if radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are needed to lessen the chance of the cancer recurring.

In Stage III uterine cancer, surgery is still the mainstay treatment. However, chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy following surgery is usually recommended to lower the chance of a recurrence of the cancer.

Stage IVA uterine cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy may be used to first shrink down the cancer prior to surgery to make it easier to remove surgically.

For Stage IVB, the mainstay treatment is some form of drug therapy (e.g. chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and /or immunotherapy). The doctor will consider various factors particular to each instance in making a decision. Other factors such as the expected side effects of treatment, the overall health and personal preferences of the patient, will also factor into the choice of treatment. If the cancer spread is still confined to the abdominal cavity, surgery to remove the cancer may be a possibility, with further drug treatment after surgery to better control the cancer.

Surgery and radiotherapy are usually used for localised problems due to the cancer (e.g. surgical removal of the uterus when there is severe bleeding from the cancer, and radiotherapy to relieve bone pain caused by cancer in the bone).

Recurrent uterine cancers are usually treated similarly to Stage IVB cancer.

Where To Get Treatment For Uterine Cancer In Singapore

There are numerous hospitals and cancer centres that treatment for uterine cancer. Following are some that you may consider:

• National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS): NCCS is a national referral centre for cancer treatment and research. It offers a wide range of treatment options for uterine cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Singapore General Hospital (SGH): SGH is a leading hospital in Singapore that offers comprehensive cancer care, including the latest treatments and technologies for uterine cancer.
• Icon Cancer Centre: Icon Cancer Centre offers personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Advanced and comprehensive treatment options are available for uterine cancer treatment.
• Mount Elizabeth Hospital: Mount Elizabeth Hospital is a private hospital in Singapore that offers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, with a team of specialists in oncology, surgery, and radiation therapy.
• Parkway Cancer Centre: Parkway Cancer Centre is a private cancer centre in Singapore that offers a range of treatment options for uterine cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

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