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Query: UMLS:C0476089 (endometrial cancer)
 11,379 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This review on the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives clarifies the risks and misperceptions, and discusses 10 potential health benefits. In the U.S. where maternal mortality is about 20.6/100,000, the risk of death from pills ranges from 1.8 for nonsmokers to 6.5 for smokers. It is likely that most of the small existing mortality risk of pill use is due to thromboembolism. Atherosclerosis, the major cause of death for U.S. women, may be reduced by the pill. It is still controversial whether pills increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and malignant melanoma; they protect against endometrial cancer (the 3rd greatest cancer killer) and ovarian (the 4th) cancer; they may increase risk slightly in some subgroups for breast and cervical cancer, although data are conflicting. Pills also protect against ectopic pregnancy, benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, iron deficiency anemia and possibly uterine fibroids and osteoporosis. It is no longer held that orals protect against toxic shock syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. It is estimated that oral contraceptives avert 50,000 hospital admissions per year in the U.S.
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PMID:The health effects of oral contraceptives: misperceptions, controversies, and continuing good news. 266 76

The risks and benefits of the newer oral contraceptives are evaluated, considering cancer, teratogenicity, drug interactions, cardiovascular risks, and carbohydrate metabolism. Oral contraceptives confer the lowest mortality risk of all contraceptives, except sexual abstinence, in all women under 30 and in nonsmokers through age 40 in developed countries. In less developed countries where maternal mortality can be as high as 5-10%, the risks of even nonmedically supervised oral contraceptives are dwarfed. The pill protects against ovarian cancer even after the pill is discontinued because it suppresses ovulation, and endometrial cancer because it blocks estrogen receptors. The relationship of oral contraception to breast cancer is still in dispute, but no good evidence exists for increased risk, especially with new low- dose pills. There may be a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer, although it is difficult to separate out other risk factors co-existing in pill users, such as earlier sexarche, more partners and more frequent screening. The incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, functional ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy is reduced by pills. There is only 1 report of increased incidence of congenital heart disease in infants whose mothers took pills during pregnancy. Drug interactions are common, and must be managed by the physician. Among currently popular pills, only the norgestrel and levonorgestrel-containing multiphasic pills are said to decrease HDL2 and impair glucose tolerance, because they are androgenic enough to overcome the low dose of estrogen.
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PMID:Oral contraceptives: a reassessment. 267 44

Vaginal sonography was compared to abdominal sonography in predicting myometrial invasion in 23 women (mean age 59 +/- 9 years) undergoing hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer. Vaginal scanning prediction corresponded to histological findings in 87% (20/23) of the cases. In 2 cases the degree of invasion was underestimated and in 1 case overestimated by vaginal sonography. Abdominal sonography was accurate in 78% (18/23) of the cases. Vaginal scanning also improved the sonographic visualization of endometrium and cervical canal. However, in one case a superficial invasion of the cervix was missed by both methods of scanning. Furthermore, in another patient an ovarian cyst of 5 cm located in the upper pelvis was seen by abdominal but not vaginal sonography. We suggest that a sonographic work-up to assess endometrial cancer spread should include both methods of scanning.
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PMID:Contribution of vaginal scanning to sonographic evaluation of endometrial cancer invasion. 267 41

The benefits of combined oral contraceptives are put into perspective, considering their effectiveness as a contraceptive, actual risks for breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer, and effects of reproductive and other body systems. Combined oral contraceptives are the best contraceptives available except for injectable progestogens, therefore they an reduce the risk of maternal mortality by at least 5 in nonsmoking western women, or over 100 in developing countries. No data are available on mortality risk of the presumed safer low-dose pills. Pills reduce ectopic pregnancy to virtually nil. They decrease the risk of endometrial cancer, and of ovarian cancer for up to 15 years after use. Although they protect against benign breast disease, both fibrocystic disease and fibroadenoma, which are risk factors for breast cancer, it is unsettled whether pills affect breast cancer incidence. Cervical cancer risk may be slightly higher. Functional ovarian cysts requiring surgery are cut about 10-fold; corpus luteum and follicular cysts are also reduced. Fibroids are decreased in proportion to duration of use. Pelvic inflammatory disease rates fall 50% during use. Chlamydial infections have not fallen in pill users, but it is not known whether sexual activity is a factor. Combined pills cut abnormal uterine bleeding by about half, reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia and of premenstrual tension. Seizures related to menses also are controlled. Some studies find a reduction in rheumatoid arthritis. Most of the cardiovascular complications of pills are thought to be dose related. Since today's pills contain approximately the same dose as a whole cycle of the original pills, it is expected that these risks will be greatly reduced, especially with better screening of candidates that is now the rule.
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PMID:The benefits of combined oral contraceptives. 269 95

The production of the antiaggregatory and vasodilatory prostacyclin (PGI2) in patients with gynaecological tumours was studied by assaying urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a (= 6-keto-PGF1a), a hydration product of PGI2), by radioimmunoassay following high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 59 patients with gynaecological tumours and 12 non-tumourous control women. Urinary 6-keto-PGF1a excretion in patients with cervical cancer (28.3 +/- 3.6 pmol/mmol creatinine, mean +/- S.E., n = 12), endometrial cancer (22.8 +/- 3.7 pmol/mmol creatinine, n = 12, uterine fibroids (26.0 +/- 3.5 pmol/mmol creatinine, n = 12) benign ovarian cysts (22.4 +/- 1.8 pmol/mmol creatinine, n = 12) did not differ from that in the control women (29.9 +/- 3.6 pmol/mmol creatinine, n = 12). However, patients with ovarian cancer excreted increased amounts of 6-keto-PGF1a (55.4 +/- 10.4 pmol/mmol creatinine, n = 11, P less than 0.05), although this bore no relation to tumour histology, clinical stage or the outcome of the patients. Thus, ovarian cancer is accompanied by increased PGI2 production, perhaps in the kidneys and/or in the cancer tissue.
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PMID:Urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a in patients with gynaecological tumours. 354 43

Prescription of oral contraceptives is reviewed by giving practical tips on the absolute contraindications, timing of the first dose, dose of estrogen, choice of type of progestin, reasons for changing the combination, and a list of benefits of oral contraceptives. The major risk in taking orals is cardiovascular disease, but actual risks are clustered in subsets of women. Those at high risk are women over 45, smokers over 35, and smokers of any age with cardiovascular risk factors. Generally women should start with a 30 or 35 mcg estrogen combined pill, and perhaps consider taking a higher estrogen dose if they experience breakthrough bleeding or amenorrhea. The 1st cycle can be started at any time up to 6 days after Cycle Day 1 or after spontaneous or induced abortion. Women taking bromocriptine should also begin contraception soon after delivery. Signs of potential major complications are abdominal pain, chest pain or dyspnea, headache or neurologic symptoms, visual or speech problems, or leg pain or weakness. Benefits of oral contraception include menstrual regulation, decreased menstrual flow, prevention of functional ovarian cysts, protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer by half, against benign breast disease, and possibly against pelvic inflammatory disease.
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PMID:Oral contraceptives. Who, which, when, and why? 362 38

Use of oral contraceptives has been shown to reduce the risk of gynecologic conditions that cause significant mortality, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, its use has been linked to quality-of-life issues, such as the prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease, benign breast disease and functional ovarian cysts, as well as to dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome and iron deficiency anemia. Such information should be conveyed to women of reproductive age during their contraceptive counseling session.
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PMID:Oral contraceptives. Assessment of benefits. 377 7

The new generation of oral contraceptives (OCs) contains less than 50 mcg of estrogen compared to previous levels of 100-150 mcg, and as a result have fewer undesirable side effects. In addition, it appears that the newer OCs decrease the susceptibility to many diseases. For example, the pill decreases by 40% the risk that a woman under 55 years of age will develop ovarian cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer is reduced by 50% in OC users. The pill also significantly lowers the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease--a condition that is involved in almost 20% of all gynecologic problems and is a leading cause of infertility. OC use reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Further, by decreasing menstrual blood flow, the pill protects against iron-deficiency anemia. The pill is claimed to decrease premenstrual tension, menstrual cramps, and even acne. It has a protective effect against ovarian cysts and benign breast cancer. Finally, there is the possibility that OCs protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis and duodenal ulcers.
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PMID:Oral contraceptives come of age. 385 23

Although the adverse effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) should be given serious consideration, the many beneficial effects of OC use should also receive recognition. The main advantage of the pill is its effectiveness as a method of reversible fertility control, enabling women to be free of the fear of unwanted pregnancy and its psychological, social, and physical implications. In addition, however, there are numerous noncontraceptive advantages. Many symptoms related to ovulation and menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, irregular menses, menorrhagia, and ovulation pain, disappear or are greatly reduced through OC use, especially in young women. Endometriosis and functional ovarian cysts are less common in OC users, and the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in OC users is about half that in nonusers of contraception. The reduced menstrual blood loss resulting from OC use cuts the risk of iron deficiency anemia by 50%. In addition, the pill has a protective effect against benign breast disease and appears to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Other beneficial effects include a reduction in the rate of thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and possibly duodenal ulcers.
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PMID:The benefits of oral contraceptives. 392 18

Oral contraceptives (OCs) not only prevent pregnancy but also have a number of advantages which, as a rule, receive less attention than the drawbacks. Use of OCs by women with menorrhagia can prevent iron deficiency anemia. Irregular menstrual cycles can be regulated and dysmenorrhea disappears in many instances with OC use. A number of studies have brought to light the fact that endometrial carcinoma and mammary cysts occur less often in women using the pill. Since Ocs suppress ovulation, the incidence of functional ovarian cysts is reduced considerably. Moreover, the use of OCs proves to decrease the risk of ovarian carcinoma development and the occurrence of salpingitis. A study of the literature justifies the conclusion that the advantages of OC use by young women outweigh the disadvantages. (author's modified)
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PMID:[The "other" advantages of the pill]. 688 95


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