The Characteristic Role of Imaging in Management of Endometrial Cancer: A Review Article

Abstract

Author(s): Zeinab Safarpour Lima, Ladan Younesi, Hediyeh Jalayeri, Mohammad Hadi Akbarizadeh Mashkani, Ayda Roostaee

Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, starts from the uterus and affects the layer of cells that form endometrium of the uterus. It is the most common gynecologic cancer in women worldwide. Diagnosis of endometrial cancer depends on many factors including tumor cells histological grade, the presence of lymph node metastases, depth of central layer of uterine cervix invasion and uterine wall invasion, and the age of patient. Endometrial cancer usually causes abnormal vaginal bleeding, prompting women to visit their physicians and as a result, mostly detected at early stages. Removing of the uterus through surgery in early stages can treats endometrial cancer most of the times. Conducting a biopsy would be required if heterogeneity or endometrial thickening is confirmed to make a precise histopathological recognition. Due to the fact that within 80% of cancers are anticipated at early stages, the overall diagnosis is favorable. Endometrial cancers even those with locally advanced malignancies confined to the pelvis often responds to surgical resection. However, cervical cancer is an exception. Imaging before surgery can help to establish better treatment planning. Several imaging techniques have been developed and used as medical diagnostic tools, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), vaginal ultrasonography (VUS), and positron-emission tomography (PET). In this review, the role of imaging in detection, recognition and diagnosis of recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer is highlighted. Moreover, a summary of recent imaging techniques with desirable performance in endometrial cancer care is presented.

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