Uterine cancer
Other treatments for uterine cancer
Hormone therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are also treatments used for uterine cancer. Learn about the different treatment types and their potential side effects.
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Sources and references 
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy may also be called endocrine therapy or hormone blocking therapy. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone are substances that are produced naturally in the body. They help control the growth and activity of cells. Some cancers of the uterus depend on oestrogen or progesterone to grow. These are known as hormone dependent or hormone-sensitive cancers and they can sometimes be treated with hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy may be recommended for cancer of the uterus that has spread or come back (recurred), particularly if it is a low-grade cancer. It is also sometimes offered as the first treatment if surgery has not been done (e.g. when someone with early-stage, low-grade cancer of the uterus chooses not to have a hysterectomy because they want to have children, or if someone is too unwell for surgery).
The main hormone therapy for hormone-dependent cancer of the uterus is progesterone that has been produced in a laboratory. High-dose progesterone is available in tablet form (usually medroxyprogesterone) or, if you have not had a hysterectomy, through a hormone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) called a Mirena. A Mirena is placed into the uterus by your doctor.
Other hormone drugs may be available on clinical trials. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the different methods.
Side effects of hormone therapy
Common side effects of progesterone treatment include: breast tenderness; headaches; tiredness; nausea; menstrual changes; and bloating. In high doses, progesterone may increase appetite and cause weight gain. If you have an IUD, it may move out of place and need to be refitted by your doctor.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of drug treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
Several immunotherapy drugs are now available to treat endometrial cancer, including when it has spread (advanced or metastatic disease) or if it is no longer responding to chemotherapy. Immunotherapy drugs may be used in combination with a targeted therapy drug.
Side effects of immunotherapy
Common side effects include fatigue; being or feeling sick (nausea); skin rash and itching; joint pain; diarrhoea; and dry eyes.
Rarely, immunotherapy can affect the lungs, bowel or thyroid gland and these side effects can sometimes be life-threatening. It’s important to let your treatment team know about any new or worsening side effects during or after treatment. Don’t try to treat side effects yourself.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a drug treatment that attacks specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading. A targeted therapy drug may be used to treat endometrial cancer that has spread or come back, or to boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Side effects of targeted therapy
Common side effects include: fatigue; being or feeling sick (nausea); diarrhoea; constipation; sore mouth; blood pressure changes; appetite loss; bleeding and bruising; skin problems; joint aches; and headache. Less common side effects, such as heart problems and stroke, can also occur. It’s important to tell your doctor about any new or worsening side effects.
Palliative treatment
Palliative treatment helps to improve people’s quality of life by managing symptoms of cancer without trying to cure the disease. Many people think that palliative treatment is only for people at the end of their life, but it can help at any stage of advanced cancer of the uterus. It is about living as long as possible in the most satisfying way you can. Being referred to palliative treatment does not necessarily mean that you are at the final stages of life.
As well as slowing the spread of cancer, palliative treatment can help to relieve pain and manage other symptoms, such as bowel problems. Treatment may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy (alone or in combination with targeted therapy). Palliative treatment is one aspect of palliative care, in which a team of health professionals aims to meet your physical, emotional, cultural, social and spiritual needs. The team also supports families and carers.
Key points about treating cancer of the uterus
Surgery
- The main treatment for cancer of the uterus is usually surgery to remove the uterus and cervix. This operation is called a total hysterectomy.
- In most cases, both fallopian tubes and ovaries will be removed at the same time. This is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Lymph nodes may also be removed.
- Surgery is often the only treatment needed.
Radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy may be used as an additional treatment after surgery. It may also be used as the main treatment if other health conditions mean you are not well enough for a major operation.
- The radiation may be delivered directly to the tumour from inside your body (vaginal vault brachytherapy) and/or from outside the body (external beam radiation therapy or EBRT).
- Radiation therapy may be used in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) to treat more advanced cancer of the uterus.
Drug therapies
- Chemotherapy may be used if the cancer has spread beyond the uterus, or if the cancer comes back after surgery or radiation.
- Hormone therapy targets cancers of the uterus that depend on hormones to grow. The main hormone therapy used for cancer of the uterus is high-dose progesterone.
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapy may be used together for certain types of endometrial cancer, or for cancer that has not responded to treatment or has come back.
Find out more about the types of treatments:
Sources and references
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative. All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Professor Alison Brand, Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney and Director, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: A/Prof Orla McNally, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Director Oncology/Dysplasia, Royal Women’s Hospital, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, and Director of Gynaecology Tumour Stream, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Yoland Antill, Medical Oncologist, Peninsula Health, Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Cabrini Health and Monash University, VIC; Grace Guerzoni, Consumer; Zeina Hayes, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Bronwyn Jennings, Gynaecology Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Hospital Brisbane, QLD; A/Prof Christopher Milross, Director of Mission and Radiation Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Mariad O’Gorman, Clinical Psychologist, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre and Bankstown Cancer Centre, NSW. We would like to thank all the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on current and previous editions of this title.
Uterine Cancer
Cancer Council 13 11 20
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