Cancer in uterus: Experts suspect obesity pushing up cases in capital

NEW DELHI: Is

obesity

causing increase in incidence of endometrial

cancer

among women?

Oncologists at one of the top hospitals in Delhi have claimed that they have had to remove the

uterus

of as many as nine women in the past few months who suffered from endometrial cancer and weighed between 115 kg and 157 kg.

“We get around 15 cases of endometrial cancer — cancer involving the lining of the uterus, called endometrium — every month. At least two to three of them are obese women and the number of such women is increasing,” said Dr Harit Chaturvedi, director and chief consultant, surgical oncology, at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket said.

A 55-year-old patient, who did not wish to be named, said she was leading a normal life, until she noticed sudden bleeding from her private parts.

She had reached menopause two years ago, hence was advised an endometrial sampling, which suggested a high grade cancer.

After due tests, she successfully underwent robotic radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic node dissection in which the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and pelvic lymph nodes are removed, and was discharged within two days.

“She weighed 157 kg at the time of the surgery. She had been suffering from high grade carcinosarcoma,” the doctors said.

Kanika Batra Modi, consultant, gynaecology oncology, Max Saket, said, “Morbid obesity by itself is a high risk factor and is usually associated with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnoea, which makes it a big surgical and anaesthetic challenge.”

Director and chief consultant, surgical oncology, at Max hospital, P K Julka, said the incidence of endometrium cancer in India was 2.8-3 cases per 1,00,000 population about a decade ago. “Now it has gone up to 6-7 cases per 1,00,000 population. Rising incidence of obesity certainly has a role to play,” he said, adding that people should eat healthy and remain physically active to reduce the risk.