Overview
Uterine and ovarian cancers are two of the most common gynaecological cancers affecting women in India. Uterine cancer — also called endometrial cancer — develops in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), while ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries — the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones.
Uterine cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in developed countries and increasingly prevalent in India — particularly among postmenopausal women, women with obesity, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances, and those with Lynch syndrome. Ovarian cancer, while less common, is often called the silent killer because it rarely causes symptoms in its early stages — leading to late-stage diagnosis in the majority of patients.
Together, uterine and ovarian cancers represent a significant proportion of all cancers affecting women in India. With advances in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, PARP inhibitors, immunotherapy, and surgical oncology, treatment outcomes for both cancers have improved considerably — particularly for patients with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations or mismatch repair deficiency who may respond exceptionally well to targeted and immunotherapy approaches.
Types of Uterine & Ovarian Cancer
Endometrial Carcinoma (Type I)
Type I endometrial carcinoma is the most common type of uterine cancer — accounting for approximately 80% of cases. It is typically estrogen-driven, develops in the inner lining of the uterus, and is associated with obesity, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), unopposed estrogen exposure, and Lynch syndrome. It has a relatively favourable prognosis when detected early.
Uterine Serous Carcinoma (Type II)
Type II uterine cancers — including serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma — are less common but more aggressive than Type I. They are not estrogen-driven and tend to present at advanced stages with poorer outcomes. They require more aggressive treatment including chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
Uterine Carcinosarcoma
Uterine carcinosarcoma — also called malignant mixed Müllerian tumour (MMMT) — is a rare, aggressive uterine cancer containing both carcinoma and sarcoma elements. It is treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy — typically paclitaxel plus carboplatin.
Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare cancer arising from the smooth muscle wall of the uterus. It is an aggressive tumour treated with surgery, chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus docetaxel or doxorubicin-based regimens), and in some cases targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer — accounting for approximately 90% of cases. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is the most common and most aggressive subtype, strongly associated with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations. It is treated with surgery, platinum-taxane chemotherapy, and PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy in eligible patients.
Borderline Ovarian Tumours
Borderline ovarian tumours — also called low malignant potential tumours — are between benign and malignant. They grow slowly, rarely spread aggressively, and are primarily treated with surgery — with close monitoring for recurrence.
Germ Cell Tumours of the Ovary
Ovarian germ cell tumours arise from the egg-producing cells of the ovary and most commonly affect young women and adolescents. They include dysgerminoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumours — most of which are highly responsive to BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) chemotherapy.
Sex Cord Stromal Tumours
Sex cord stromal tumours arise from the supporting cells of the ovary — including granulosa cell tumours and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours. They may produce hormones and are treated with surgery and, for advanced disease, chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
Ovarian Cancer Warning Signs
- Persistent abdominal bloating or swelling
- Quickly feeling full when eating — even small amounts
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
- Changes in bowel habits — constipation or diarrhea
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Persistent fatigue or back pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding — particularly after menopause
Treatment Options
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a primary treatment for both uterine and ovarian cancers — used after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells, before surgery to shrink tumours, or as the primary treatment for advanced or recurrent disease. Carboplatin plus paclitaxel is the standard first-line regimen for both endometrial and ovarian cancer. At Jus’ Onco, chemotherapy is delivered as a low cost day care service — patients receive their infusion and return home the same day.
PARP Inhibitor Therapy
PARP inhibitors — including olaparib, niraparib, and rucaparib — are a breakthrough targeted treatment for BRCA1/BRCA2-mutated ovarian cancer, used as maintenance therapy after response to platinum-based chemotherapy. They work by blocking DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells — causing cell death. BRCA mutation testing is reviewed at Jus’ Onco to confirm PARP inhibitor eligibility.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy options for uterine and ovarian cancers include bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) for ovarian cancer in combination with chemotherapy or as maintenance, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for advanced endometrial cancer, and HER2-targeted therapy for HER2-positive uterine serous carcinoma. Biomarker testing is reviewed at Jus’ Onco to determine eligibility.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy — particularly pembrolizumab — has shown significant benefit for MSI-high or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) endometrial cancer, and in combination with lenvatinib for advanced endometrial cancer regardless of MMR status. Dostarlimab is approved for dMMR endometrial cancer. At Jus’ Onco, MSI and MMR status is assessed during your biomarker evaluation to determine immunotherapy eligibility.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is used for hormone receptor-positive endometrial cancer — particularly low-grade Type I tumours — using progestins, aromatase inhibitors, or GnRH agonists. It may be used as a fertility-preserving approach in young women with early-stage, low-grade endometrial cancer who wish to preserve fertility.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy — including external beam radiation and vaginal brachytherapy — is used for uterine cancer after surgery to reduce local recurrence risk, or as primary treatment for patients who cannot undergo surgery. Jus’ Onco coordinates radiation therapy referrals through its specialist oncology network.
Surgical Oncology
Surgery is the cornerstone of both uterine and ovarian cancer treatment — involving hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine cancer, and optimal cytoreductive surgery (debulking) for ovarian cancer. The goal of ovarian cancer surgery is to remove as much tumour as possible — with complete resection (no residual disease) associated with the best outcomes. Jus’ Onco coordinates surgical oncology referrals as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Supportive Care
Includes pain management, nutritional support, menopausal symptom management, fertility preservation counselling where applicable, psycho-oncology counselling, and symptom control — maintaining quality of life throughout the full treatment journey.
Uterine & Ovarian Cancer Care at Jus' Onco
At Jus’ Onco, we provide comprehensive uterine and ovarian cancer care through advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment planning, and a multidisciplinary oncology team. From first consultation through recovery and long-term follow-up, our focus is on delivering the best chemotherapy in India alongside PARP inhibitor therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and integrated supportive care — all at a low cost that ensures no patient is forced to delay or abandon treatment.
Our gynaecological cancer care programme begins with a thorough review of your diagnostic reports, imaging (CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound), CA-125 and other tumour marker levels, biopsy and pathology findings, and comprehensive biomarker testing — including BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation status, MSI and MMR status, PD-L1 expression, HER2 status for uterine serous carcinoma, and HRD (homologous recombination deficiency) testing for ovarian cancer — ensuring your treatment plan is precisely matched to your cancer type, stage, and molecular profile.
