Advanced uterine cancer is uterine cancer that has spread into the surrounding tissues or organs and is less likely to go into remission (when the signs and symptoms of the cancer reduce or disappear). It can often be treated to slow its growth. Treatment can also help reduce symptoms, such as pain.
If your cancer is advanced, your health care team will discuss your treatment options with you. Types of treatment for advanced uterine cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone treatment and palliative care.
You may also be offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial.
For more on this, see Advanced cancer, or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
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Palliative treatment
Palliative treatment helps to improve people’s quality of life by managing symptoms of cancer without trying to cure the disease. Many people think that palliative treatment is for people at the end of their life, but it can help at any stage of advanced uterine cancer. It is about living as long as possible in the most satisfying way you can.
As well as slowing the spread of cancer, palliative treatment can relieve any pain and help manage other symptoms. Treatment may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Palliative treatment is one aspect of palliative care, in which a team of health professionals aim to meet your physical, practical, emotional, spiritual and social needs. The team also supports families and carers.
For more on this, see Palliative care, or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Video: What is palliative care?
A/Prof Alison Brand, Director, Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Kate Barber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Prof Jonathan Carter, Director, Gynaecological Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Robyn Cheuk, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Dr Alison Davis, Medical Oncologist, Canberra Region Cancer Centre, The Canberra Hospital, ACT; Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Nicole Kinnane, Nurse Coordinator, Gynaecology Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Jennifer Loveridge, Consumer; Pauline Tanner, Gynaecology Cancer Nurse Coordinator, WA Cancer & Palliative Care Network, North Metropolitan Health Service, WA. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
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