Editing Patient Pathways: Endometrial Cancer (section)

== 2. Treatment ==

'''Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting'''

'''MDT discussion:''' Review of diagnostic findings with specialists including endocrinologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists.

'''Treatment plan development:''' Based on the stage of endometrial, cervical, vaginal or vulvar cancer and the patient’s general health.

'''Treatment options'''

'''Endometrial cancer'''

'''Surgery:'''

'''Hysterectomy:''' Removal of the uterus and usually the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer.

'''Radical hysterectomy:''' Removal of the uterus, cervix, vagina, and surrounding lymph nodes, often used in advanced cases.

'''Radiotherapy:'''

'''External beam radiotherapy:''' Uses an external source of radiation to target the tumor.

'''Internal (brachytherapy) radiotherapy:''' Radiation is delivered directly inside the uterus or vagina.

'''Chemotherapy:''' Used in advanced stages of cancer or if there is a risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy may include drugs such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, or carboplatin.

'''Hormone therapy:''' Used if endometrial cancer expresses hormone receptors (estrogen or progesterone). Medications such as progestins can help control tumor growth.

'''Targeted therapy and immunotherapy:''' These therapies are being investigated and used in specific cases. They target specific molecules or cancer cells, and immunotherapy activates the immune system to attack cancer cells.

'''Cervical cancer'''

'''Surgery:'''

'''Conization:''' Removal of a small cone-shaped portion of the cervix for diagnosis and treatment in the early stages.

'''Hysterectomy:''' Removal of the uterus and cervix. May include removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

'''Radical hysterectomy:''' Removal of the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and surrounding lymph nodes. Used for advanced stages.

'''Radiotherapy:'''

'''External beam radiotherapy:''' Helps destroy cancer cells outside the body.

'''Internal (brachytherapy) radiotherapy:''' Delivers radiation directly inside the cervix or vagina.

'''Chemotherapy:''' Often used in combination with radiation therapy for advanced stages of cervical cancer. Medications include cisplatin, paclitaxel and topotecan.

'''Immunotherapy:''' Under investigation for advanced or recurrent cases of cervical cancer. The goal is to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.

'''Vaginal cancer'''

'''Surgery:'''

'''Excisional biopsy:''' Removal of the tumor and a portion of surrounding healthy tissue. May include removal part of the vagina.

'''Hysterectomy:''' Removal of the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina if necessary.

'''Radiotherapy:'''

'''External beam radiotherapy:''' Used to treat tumors outside the vagina.

'''Internal (brachytherapy) radiotherapy:''' Application of radiation inside the vagina to directly target tumor.

'''Chemotherapy:''' Used in combination with radiation therapy for advanced cases. Medications include cisplatin, paclitaxel, and 5-fluorouracil.

'''Immunotherapy and targeted therapies:''' Under investigation for specific cases. They target specific molecules and help the body fight cancer.

'''Vulvar cancer'''

'''Surgery:'''

'''Excision:''' Removal of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. This may include local excision only or a wider resection, depending on the size and stage of the tumor.

'''Radical vulvectomy:''' Removal of the entire vulva, sometimes including nearby lymph nodes.

'''Radiotherapy:'''

'''External beam radiotherapy:''' Used to treat tumors outside the body.

'''Internal (brachytherapy) radiotherapy:''' Helps treat tumors inside or near the vulva.

'''Chemotherapy:''' Less commonly used for vulvar cancer, but may be indicated in advanced stages or if the cancer spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy may include drugs such as cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil.

'''Immunotherapy and targeted therapies:''' Under investigation and application for specific types of vulvar cancer, by targeting specific molecules or activating the immune system to fight cancer.

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