Diseases of the uterine mucosa
Endometrial cancer is one of the most frequent cancers of the uterus (so-called endometrial carcinoma) in women in Germany. One risk factor for this is an excessively high oestrogen level over several years. Initially, an enlargement of the mucous membrane cells, the so-called hyperplasia, occurs.
In addition, a distinction is made between estrogen-dependent (type 1) and estrogen-independent tumors (type 2). Type 1 tumors account for the largest proportion of endometrial carcinomas. The leading symptom of endometrial carcinoma is vaginal bleeding.
Pain usually does not occur intial. Women before menopause (premenopausal) often have intermenstrual bleeding (metrorrhagia) or a prolonged menstrual period of 7 days (menorrhagia). The diagnosis is usually made by a vaginal examination followed by a transvaginal ultrasound.
If cancer of the lining of the uterus is suspected, a uterine endoscopy is performed and the uterine cavity is scraped. The therapy always depends on the stage of the carcinoma and lymph node involvement. However, the therapy of choice is the complete removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries with additional removal of the surrounding lymph nodes.
Postoperatively, radiotherapy can then be performed. The causes of menstrual disorders can be found under: Menstrual disorders – What you should knowAn inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis) often affects young women. The cause is usually an infection with the bacteria gonococci or chlamydia.
A distinction is made between two forms of infection: One is an ascending infection, i.e. the infection has spread from “below”, i.e. usually from the cervix upwards. This is the most common form of endometritis.
Another possibility would be descending infection, in which the pathogens multiply from the abdominal cavity downwards towards the reproductive organs. Endometritis often manifests itself as a side-effect of lower abdominal pain and unspecific symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting. In the worst case, the inflammation can become chronic. The diagnosis is made by abdominal and vaginal examination and microbiological culture. In addition, a sonography can also be used.Treatment of the inflammation of the uterine mucosa is done by administering antibiotics.
