If you are diagnosed with uterine cancer, your provider will probably refer you to an oncologist, a physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks of diagnosis, after you’ve had time to review your treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about your condition.
The majority of women with uterine cancer are treated with a hysterectomy, a surgery that removes the uterus either through the vagina or through an incision in the abdomen. In most cases, the surgeon will also remove both fallopian tubes and both ovaries.
Some woman may have radiation therapy in addition to their surgery. Radiation therapy can be administered before surgery in order to shrink the tumor, or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that remain in the area.
In some cases, particularly those in which surgery or radiation therapy are not options, providers may use hormonal therapy to treat uterine cancer.
Chemotherapy is not as commonly used to treat uterine cancer as it is for other types of cancer, although it may be needed if the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Your provider will explain the risks and benefits of each of these treatments, and suggest the treatment or combination of treatments that will work best for you.