Endometrial Cancer

• The term stromal sarcoma is used to describe a cancerous growth within the endometrial cavity. Both stromal cells and sarcomas form in soft, connective tissue. Sarcoma.org reports that at least forty percent of the soft tissue sarcomas that develop, do so in the extremities, with approximately sixty percent invading other areas of the body. When used together, the two terms (stromal and sarcoma) relate to the endometrial lining of the female uterus.
  
  

Prevalence

• Pain and abnormal bleeding from the uterus is a possible sign that an endometrial stromal sarcoma is present. According to Harvard Medical School, Department of Radiology, stromal sarcomas are more likely to strike women between the ages of forty-two and fifty-nine, but can affect women in any age category or race. Risk factors are unclear, but it is suspected that hormone imbalances may play a role.
  
  

Low-Grade and High-Grade Stromal Sarcomas

• Cancerfacts.com explains that there are two types of stromal sarcomas; low and high-grade. While, both types of stromal sarcomas can spread beyond the endometrial lining, it is the high-grade stromal sarcoma that usually crosses the boundary between the endometrial cavity and the outer uterus, eventually entering other nearby tissue and the lymphatic system.
  
  

Unopposed Estrogen

• Researchers believe there is a link between the hormone "estrogen" and endometrial stromal sarcoma; especially, in women of perimenopausal and menopausal age who have a problem with unopposed estrogen. According to peacehealth.org, high estrogen levels may contribute to increased incidence of endometrial cancers. Progesterone treatments to balance unopposed estrogen appears to help in the prevention of endometrial stromal sarcoma.
  
  

Research

• Because sarcomas are very rare, not as much funding and research time has been put into identifying the causes or advancing treatments. The International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment contends that more studies need to be undertaken to better understand this form of cancer. Until then, the prognosis for ESS will remain poor with patients experiencing less than long-term survival rates.