A Precision Treatment for Bone Mets from Uterine Cancer

Uterine Cancer – What is it?

Uterine cancer is cancer that begins in a woman’s uterus (womb), which is part of the female reproductive system. The pear-shaped uterus is composed of two main layers, the endometrium (lining) and the myometrium (thick layer of muscle needed to push the baby out at birth). Almost all uterine cancer (95%) starts in the endometrium, so uterine cancer is also called endometrial cancer. There are two main types of endometrial cancer, each with its own name:

1. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer (75% of uterine cancers). It is considered highly curable if diagnosed early.
2. Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (sometimes called type 2 endometrial carcinoma) comprises about 10% of uterine cancer cases.

A third type of uterine cancer (5-8% of uterine cancers) begins in the myometrium or other connective tissue.

Can uterine cancer spread to other parts of the body?

If uterine cancer is left untreated, it can spread (metastasize) beyond the uterus. Initially, it may spread to nearby pelvic organs and regional lymph nodes. However, advanced stage uterine cancer can metastasize widely, to distant lymph nodes and organs such as the lungs, liver, brain and bone.

Uterine cancer bone metastasis

When uterine cancer spreads to the bone, it is called uterine cancer metastasis or uterine cancer bone mets. No one knows the percentage of uterine cancers actually spread to the bone, though it is considered infrequent. Bone mets may not be detected until symptoms begin, commonly bone pain or fractures. The most common sites are the spine and hips.

The optimal treatment protocol for uterine cancer bone mets has not been determined. Some combinations of hormonal therapy and chemotherapy have had positive effects, but they are not curative. However, treatment with the purpose of controlling pain at the bone mets site has a positive impact on quality of life.

MRgFUS for painful bone mets

There is an innovative noninvasive outpatient treatment called MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). The therapeutic effect comes from precisely directing ultrasound beams {soundwaves) from several different directions to target the bone mets lesion. The soundwaves pass harmlessly through other tissue on the way to the target, but when they converge, they generate heat that deadens the nerves that send pain messages to the brain. There is no need for surgery or radiation, and the results are durable…

With 3-7 days after treatment, most patients have significant pain reduction – in some cases, almost zero pain.

Advantages of MRgFUS

Patients who are candidates for any surgical or radiation bone mets therapy are also candidates for MRgFUS. MRgFUS offers benefits beyond those of surgery or radiation:

• Equal or better control of pain
• Noninvasive one-time procedure done inside the MRI equipment
• No surgery, no risk of infection
• No exposure to radiation
• Outpatient procedure
• Return to normal activity in a few days
• Pain control results in a week or less
• Significant pain relief that is as durable, if not more so, than radiation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with uterine cancer bone mets, the Sperling Medical Group offers the Exablate MRgFUS to relieve bone pain. For more information, contact our Center, or visit our website.