Are uterine cancer and cervical cancer the same thing?

Uterine cancer and cervical cancer are not the same thing, there are significant differences between the two. Uterine cancer mainly refers to endometrial cancer, while cervical cancer is related to HPV infection.

1. Different lesion sites: Uterine cancer mainly occurs in the endometrium, which is a lesion inside the uterus. Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, which is the outer opening of the uterus. This difference is like the interior decoration of a house and the anti-theft door at the entrance. Although they are both part of the house, their locations and functions are completely different.

2. Different causes: Cervical cancer is closely related to HPV infection. HPV is a common virus that is transmitted through sexual contact. If not treated in time, HPV infection may cause cervical precancerous lesions and eventually develop into cervical cancer. Endometrial cancer is mainly related to endocrine disorders, especially abnormal estrogen levels. For example, long-term high estrogen status may increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

3. Symptom differences: Cervical cancer may not have obvious symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, irregular vaginal bleeding, bleeding after sexual intercourse, or abnormal discharge may occur. The typical symptoms of endometrial cancer are postmenopausal bleeding or irregular vaginal bleeding. Obesity is also a risk factor for endometrial cancer because adipose tissue produces estrogen, increasing the risk of disease.

4. Screening methods: Cervical cancer can be detected and prevented early through regular cervical smear tests and HPV tests. Endometrial cancer does not have similar screening methods and is usually diagnosed through ultrasound examinations and endometrial biopsies.

5. Treatment methods: There are various treatments for cervical cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Cervical cancer that is discovered early can be cured by surgical removal of the diseased tissue. The treatment of endometrial cancer is mainly surgical removal of the uterus, sometimes supplemented with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The choice of treatment strategy depends on the severity of the disease and the specific circumstances of the patient.

6. Preventive measures: The most effective way to prevent cervical cancer is to get the HPV vaccine and have regular cervical smear tests. For endometrial cancer, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling weight, and avoiding long-term use of estrogen drugs can reduce the risk.

From the above points, we can see that uterine cancer and cervical cancer have significant differences in lesion location, etiology, symptoms, screening methods and treatment strategies. Although they are both gynecological malignancies, they require different prevention and treatment methods. Understanding these differences can help us better protect our health and detect and deal with potential problems in a timely manner. I hope this information is helpful to you. Remember to have regular health checks and maintain good living habits.