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Advanced Treatment For Your Uterine Cancer

Uterine Cancer

Specialized expertise for your cancer care

A uterine cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. At Novant Health Cancer Institute, our collaborative team approach to cancer care brings together experts from surgical and medical oncology, radiology, pathology, nutritionists and psychosocial support to treat all your needs. Your patient navigator will guide and support you throughout your treatment so you can focus on your recovery. You’ll have access to the latest treatments, including innovative therapies from clinical trials.

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Understanding uterine cancer symptoms

The most common symptoms of uterine cancer are unexplained or abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge and vaginal spotting. If you haven't yet gone through menopause, abnormal bleeding may include an unusually heavy or prolonged period, a watery flow, or unexpected bleeding. If you're menopausal or postmenopausal, get checked if you notice any bleeding. You may also experience pelvic pain.

What is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in the United States. There are two main types of uterine cancer. Most women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus. Only about 10% of women are diagnosed with uterine sarcoma, which affects the uterine muscle.

What causes uterine cancer?

As you get older, your risk increases. Other common risk factors for uterine cancer include:

The balance of hormone levels in your body
Getting your period at a younger age
Entering menopause later
Never having been pregnant

Advanced Surgical Care for Uterine Cancer

Minimally Invasive Surgery

For the treatment of endometrial cancer, often a hysterectomy is recommended. This involves the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Our providers are skilled with modern, technology-assisted surgical procedures. Using technology like the da Vinci robotic surgical system, your surgeon can perform a less invasive operation with smaller cuts, shorter recovery times, and less pain for you.

Innovative Surgical Staging

Surgical staging helps your team determine the extent of your cancer and find the best course of action for your treatment. Our gynecologic surgeons use Firefly technology (a dye that highlights cancerous growth) to identify and remove sentinel lymph nodes for biopsy. The biopsy results are used to determine endometrial cancer staging.

Uterine Cancer Nonsurgical Treatments

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy for uterine cancer uses targeted high-energy X-rays to destroy the cancer cells or slow their growth rate. Your care team may decide to use radiation therapy before, after, or at the same time as other treatments and procedures to maximize the chances of success. Modern radiation therapy techniques like Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) allow a much higher degree of precision in targeting the specific areas where cancer is growing.

Groundbreaking Therapies

Newer treatments like targeted therapies and immunotherapy may be used alone or with chemotherapy. Immunotherapy uses your body's immune system to help fight cancer. Your body typically has limits on the strength of your immune response to ensure normal functioning. Unfortunately, those limits can also stop your body from fighting cancer cells effectively. With immunotherapy, specific drugs may reduce or remove those limitations, allowing your immune system to fight cancer more aggressively.

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Why Choose Novant Health?

Accredited by multiple national organizations, including the Commission on Cancer and the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), your Novant Health physician is committed to providing excellence in cancer care. You can feel confident that you will be supported throughout your cancer journey by a specialized team of experts focused on your specific needs. We work in state-of-the-art cancer care centers that are among the best in the country.

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Your cancer journey is unique. That’s why our nationally recognized cancer teams work with you to develop a personalized care plan. At Novant Health, you’ll have access to the most current treatment options available only at leading cancer institutes. Your treatment may include clinical research trials or robotics, microsurgeries, new radiation technologies, or cellular and immune therapies. Together, we can treat your cancer, manage your symptoms, and provide you with support at all stages.

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You're not alone on your cancer journey. At Novant Health, rest assured you’ll have all the resources you need to tackle your life-changing diagnosis. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach brings together experts with knowledge from different specialties to support you every step of the way. In addition to oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons, your team may include nurse navigators, nutritionists, integrative medicine specialists, genetic counselors, social workers, symptom management and palliative care specialists, and more.

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Meet your uterine cancer team.

Gynecologic oncologists

Your care team will be led by a gynecologic oncologist, a highly specialized expert in cancers of the female reproductive system. Your gynecologic oncologist can diagnose uterine cancer and manage your overall treatment including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A gynecologic oncologist is also a surgeon, skilled at performing complex surgeries using the latest technology-assisted surgical equipment. As one of the top performers of robotic gynecological surgery in the state, the team of surgeons at Novant Health Cancer Institute use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, so you can heal more quickly.

Radiation oncologists

As part of your collaborative cancer team, your radiation oncologist prescribes, oversees and performs any radiation therapies you may require.

Fertility specialists and other providers

Treating uterine cancer involves more than just eliminating tumors. Depending on the nature of your cancer, you'll have other specialists on your side. These include a fertility and reproductive health specialist, nurse navigator, physical therapist, dietitian and counselors to help with the emotional highs and lows of cancer treatment.

You’re Entitled to a Second Opinion.

Are you concerned or confused about a cancer diagnosis or treatment recommendation you've received?

Another perspective on your case and options can give you some peace of mind. Reach out for a virtual session or in-person consultation.

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Experience the Future of Cancer Care, Today.

Together, we can beat cancer. Clinical research studies drive breakthroughs in the prevention, detection and treatment of many cancer conditions.

If eligible to join a clinical trial, you could access new cancer treatments before they’re available to the general public. Explore clinical trials and speak with your cancer team to see if any are right for you.

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