What is a common initial treatment strategy for uterine cancer?

Surgery is typically the most common initial treatment strategy for uterine cancer, particularly for patients diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma, which is the most prevalent type of uterine cancer. The primary surgical approach usually involves a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus, and may also include the removal of surrounding tissues, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, depending on the extent of the disease.

The rationale for starting with surgery is that it allows for a direct removal of the cancerous tissues, which can lead to effective treatment with the potential for cure, especially in early-stage cancers. Post-surgical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be employed based on the surgical findings, pathology results, and the overall staging of the cancer. However, surgery is typically the foundational first step in managing the disease because it addresses the tumor directly.

In certain cases, adjunct therapies like chemotherapy or radiation may be indicated based on specific patient characteristics and cancer stage, but these are generally not the initial approaches for treatment. Immunotherapy is a newer treatment option and is not commonly used as a first-line treatment for uterine cancer at this time.