Uterine serous carcinoma

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Uterine serous carcinoma
Synonyms	Uterine papillary serous carcinoma
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, weight loss
Complications	Metastasis, ascites
Onset	Typically postmenopausal
Duration	Chronic
Types	Endometrial cancer
Causes	Genetic mutations, obesity, hormonal imbalances
Risks	Age, family history, Lynch syndrome
Diagnosis	Endometrial biopsy, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis	Endometrioid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma
Prevention	Regular screening, healthy lifestyle
Treatment	Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy
Medication	Chemotherapeutic agents, hormonal therapy
Prognosis	Variable, depends on stage and response to treatment
Frequency	Less common than endometrioid carcinoma
Deaths	Significant mortality if advanced

High magnification micrograph of uterine serous carcinoma.

Histopathology of serous carcinoma of the uterus.

Cytology of serous carcinoma.

Uterine serous carcinoma is a type of endometrial cancer that is characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. It is a subtype of endometrial carcinoma and is distinct from the more common endometrioid carcinoma.

Pathophysiology

Uterine serous carcinoma arises from the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Unlike endometrioid carcinoma, which is often associated with estrogen exposure, uterine serous carcinoma is not typically linked to hormonal factors. It is thought to develop from endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), a precursor lesion.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with uterine serous carcinoma often present with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Due to its aggressive nature, the cancer may have already spread beyond the uterus at the time of diagnosis. Other symptoms may include pelvic pain and ascites.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of endometrial biopsy, imaging studies, and histopathological examination. On microscopic examination, uterine serous carcinoma is characterized by papillary structures and high-grade nuclear atypia.

Treatment

The treatment of uterine serous carcinoma often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgical management usually includes a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and staging procedures. Due to the high risk of recurrence, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy are commonly employed.

Prognosis

The prognosis for uterine serous carcinoma is generally poor compared to other types of endometrial cancer. This is due to its aggressive nature and tendency to present at an advanced stage. The five-year survival rate is significantly lower than that for endometrioid carcinoma.

See also

• Endometrial cancer
• Endometrial carcinoma
• Hysterectomy