UTERINE CANCER SURVIVORS

Women with uterine (endometrial) cancer may undergo treatments involving surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. They may go into induced menopause and develop menopausal symptoms.

 

The safety of hormone therapy to treat these symptoms after endometrial cancer is not known. Some types of endometrial cancer cells may be stimulated to grow by estrogen, which is the main hormone in HT. Therefore, HT has the potential to increase the growth of endometrial cancer cells left behind after treatment (due to microscopic undetected spread), so promoting tumor recurrence.

 

Some providers may not prescribe HT after a diagnosis of endometrial cancer due to this risk. However, most women treated for early-stage endometrial cancer won't have any residual cancer cells following surgery. Menopausal symptoms can severely affect quality of life and early menopause can affect long-term health. These decisions can be made in conjunction with the patient and their oncology team.

​

Hormone therapy could potentially improve quality of life and long-term health, and women treated for endometrial cancer need to balance the risks and benefits of HT to decide about their treatment.