62-year-old woman who has been on estrogen therapy without progesterone for menopausal symptoms for the past 6 years. She is seeking medical care for unexplained vaginal bleeding. She is obese and has been menopausal for 8 years and has not had any menstrual bleeding until a week ago. She does not have any pelvic discomfort. After examination, she is scheduled for a dilatation and curettage (D&C) with biopsy. The biopsy reveals endometrial cancer.
1. Outline the processes that have most likely occurred in her body.
2. What would you notice for clinical manifestations?
3. What diagnostic tests were used and what do these tell you?
4. What treatment measures would you anticipate?
5. Name a medication that postmenopausal women may take to treat postmenopausal symptoms?