That's a really understandable question — it seems like removing the womb should be the end of it, right? Unfortunately, cancer cells can sometimes spread beyond the uterus before or during surgery, even when it's not yet detectable.
These cells can travel to nearby areas and lie dormant, then become active again later Show Full Answer
That's a really understandable question — it seems like removing the womb should be the end of it, right? Unfortunately, cancer cells can sometimes spread beyond the uterus before or during surgery, even when it's not yet detectable.
These cells can travel to nearby areas and lie dormant, then become active again later. Common places where endometrial cancer can return include:
- The vagina or vaginal cuff (where the top of the vagina was closed after surgery)
- The pelvis
- Lymph nodes
- More distant organs like the lungs or liver When it returns, it's still called endometrial or womb cancer because that's where it originally started — even though the womb itself is gone.
The risk of recurrence is higher with certain factors, such as:
- A later stage at diagnosis
- High-grade (more aggressive) tumors
- Tumors larger than 2 centimeters
- Cancer that had grown deep into the uterine wall before removal
This is why follow-up appointments after treatment are so important — catching any return early makes a big difference in treatment options.
May 4
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