Endometrial Cancer progression

Endometrial cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage and generally has a good evolution. Around 70–80% of patients are diagnosed when the disease is confined to the uterus, which is associated with a favourable prognosis.

In early stages (stage I), the 5-year survival rate exceeds 90–95%, and many patients can be successfully treated with surgery alone.

If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes (stages II–III), the 5-year survival rate is approximately 65% to 80%, depending on tumour characteristics and treatment.

If it has spread to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, or bones (stage IV), the 5-year survival rate falls to around 20–30%. In recent years, new treatments, particularly immunotherapy and targeted therapies, have improved the prognosis for some patients with advanced or recurrent cancer.

It is important to remember that these figures are only estimates. The prognosis for each individual depends on several factors, including the stage, type of tumour, molecular characteristics and response to treatment.

Complications of radiotherapy treatment

Side effects of endometrial cancer treatment may be acute or chronic. The most frequent side effects occur from the third week of treatment, and disappear during the first month after finishing it. They can be well controlled with specific treatment. They are greatly diminished with modern techniques of adaptive radiotherapy. 

Acute side effects are usually:  

• Altered bowel movements (alternating constipation with increased bowel movements).  

• Alteration in the micturition rhythm. 

Chronic effects are usually not significant and are well controlled with specific treatment. The most frequent is an alteration in depositional rhythm and diarrhoea.