Endometrial Cancer: New Ways to Prevent, Detect, and Treat It

Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. Cases are rising, partly due to aging populations, obesity, and diabetes. But new advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are offering hope.

What is Endometrial Cancer and Why Is It Rising?

Endometrial cancer happens when cells in the lining of the uterus grow in an abnormal, uncontrolled way. More than 417,000 women were diagnosed in 2020, and this number has more than doubled in the last 30 years.

Risk factors include:

• Obesity – extra fat tissue increases estrogen levels, which fuels cancer growth.
  
• Diabetes and insulin resistance – these conditions also play a role.
  
• Age – most cases happen after menopause.
  

Even though more women are being diagnosed, survival rates are improving because doctors can diagnose and treat the disease earlier than before.

How Is Endometrial Cancer Diagnosed and Treated Today?

Traditionally, doctors have used endometrial biopsy (taking a tissue sample) to diagnose this cancer, but this test is invasive and sometimes painful. New methods are being studied, such as:

• Blood tests that look for proteins or tumor DNA.
  
• Vaginal and urine tests that detect cancer cells or genetic changes.
  
• Pap tests modified to look for endometrial cancer.
  

Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is:

• Surgery (removing the uterus) is the main treatment for early disease.
  
• Radiation and chemotherapy are added if the cancer is more aggressive.
  
• Immunotherapy drugs like Pembrolizumab which works by binding to the protein PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells, which keeps cancer cells from suppressing the immune system. This allows the immune system to attack the cancer cells. Dostarlimab is a monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1 and is used to treat endometrial and other solid tumors. These drugs are now approved for advanced cases that have specific genetic changes.
  
• Targeted hormonal treatments (like intrauterine progesterone devices) are options for women who want to preserve fertility.
  

What Did the Research Discover?

This article is a review study—instead of testing a new drug or treatment, the authors gathered and analyzed many past studies to see where progress is being made.

• Methods: The researchers summarized global data on cancer rates, prevention strategies, new diagnostic tools, surgery, and modern treatments like immunotherapy.
  
• How many people were studied: Rather than one group of patients, this review included findings from dozens of clinical trials and cohort studies involving thousands of women worldwide.
  
• Results:
  
  • Up to 60% of cases may be preventable through weight loss, hormonal protection (like contraceptives or IUDs), or bariatric surgery.
    
  • New minimally invasive diagnostic tests (blood, urine, vaginal samples) may soon replace painful biopsies for many women.
    
  • Molecular profiling (looking at genetic features of tumors) helps guide personalized treatment.
    
  • Immunotherapy and targeted drugs are providing new hope for women with advanced or recurrent disease.

How Can I Apply This Information?

This was a research review, not a single trial, but it highlights important takeaways:

• Healthy lifestyle choices matter. Managing weight, preventing diabetes, and exercising can cut risk.
  
• Hormonal Therapy. Oral contraceptives may lower long-term risk and intrauterine progesterone devices have also been used.
  
• Ask about new tests. If you have symptoms like postmenopausal bleeding, minimally invasive diagnostic tests may soon be available.
  
• Treatments are advancing. Immunotherapy, personalized care based on genetics, and targeted hormonal treatments are changing how endometrial cancer is managed.
  

The bottom line: while the number of women diagnosed is rising, science is helping doctors move quickly toward better prevention, earlier detection, and more personalized treatment options.

Source

Baker-Rand H, Kitson SJ. Recent Advances in Endometrial Cancer Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Treatment [Internet]. Cancers. 2024 Mar 1;16(5):1028. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/16/5/1028