Endometrial CancerSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).
Endometrial adenocarcinoma; Uterine adenocarcinoma; Uterine cancer; Adenocarcinoma - endometrium; Adenocarcinoma - uterus; Cancer - uterine; Cancer - endometrial; Uterine corpus cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. The exact cause of endometrial cancer is not known. An increased level of estrogen hormone may play a role. This stimulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus. This can lead to abnormal overgrowth of the endometrium and cancer.
Most cases of endometrial cancer occur post menopause. The average age of diagnosis is around 60 years old.
The following factors related to your hormones increase your risk for endometrial cancer:
- Estrogen replacement therapy without the use of progesterone
- History of endometrial polyps
- Infrequent periods
- Never being pregnant
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Starting menstruation at an early age (before age 12)
- Starting menopause after age 50
- Tamoxifen, a medicine used for breast cancer treatment
Women with the following conditions also seem to be at a higher risk for endometrial cancer:
- Colon or breast cancer
- Gallbladder disease
- High blood pressure
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include:
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina, including bleeding between periods or spotting/bleeding after menopause
- Long, heavy, or frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding after age 40
- Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping
Treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) may be done in women with stage 1 cancer. The surgeon may also remove the tubes and ovaries.
Surgery combined with radiation therapy is another treatment option. It is often used for women with:
- Stage 1 disease that has a high chance of returning or is a grade 2 or 3
- Stage 2 or 3 disease
Chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may be considered in some cases, most often for those with stage 3 and 4 disease.
Uc Health Obgyn-West Chester Physicians Office South Building (West Chester Hospital)
Thomas Herzog is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist practicing medicine in West Chester, Ohio. Dr. Herzog is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Hysterectomy, and Oophorectomy. Dr. Herzog is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Cancer Center
Laura Havrilesky is a Gynecologic Oncologist practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Havrilesky is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. She is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor, Hysterectomy, and Oophorectomy. Dr. Havrilesky is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and American Board Of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Havrilesky is currently accepting new patients.
UCI Health
Ramez Eskander is an Oncologist practicing medicine in Orange, California. Dr. Eskander is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Splenectomy, and Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
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Endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed at an early stage.
If the cancer has not spread, 95% of women are alive 5 years after treatment. If the cancer has spread to distant organs, about 25% of women are still alive after 5 years.
Complications may include any of the following:
- Anemia due to blood loss (before diagnosis)
- Perforation (hole) of the uterus, which may occur during a dilation and curettage (D and C) or endometrial biopsy
- Problems from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any of the following:
- Any bleeding or spotting that occurs after the onset of menopause
- Bleeding or spotting after intercourse or douching
- Bleeding lasting longer than 7 days
- Irregular menstrual cycles that occur twice per month
- New discharge after menopause has begun
- Pelvic pain or cramping that does not go away
There is no effective screening test for endometrial cancer.
Women with risk factors for endometrial cancer should be followed closely by their providers. This includes women who are taking:
- Estrogen replacement therapy without progesterone therapy
- Tamoxifen for more than 2 years
Periodic pelvic exams, Pap smears, vaginal ultrasounds, and endometrial biopsy may be considered in some cases.
The risk for endometrial cancer is reduced by:
- Maintaining a normal weight
- Using birth control pills for over a year
Summary: This is a proof-of-concept study designed to investigate HER3-DXd monotherapy in locally advanced unresectable or metastatic solid tumors. The study is enrolling cohorts of participants with melanoma \[cutaneous/acral\], squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN), HER2-negative gastric cancer ovarian carcinoma, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal carcinoma, p...
Summary: This phase III trial tests whether adding trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk (Herceptin Hylecta \[TM\]) or pertuzumab, trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-zzxf (Phesgo \[TM\]) to the usual chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) works to shrink tumors in patients with HER2 positive endometrial cancer. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are monoclonal antibodies and forms of targeted therapy that attach to spe...
Published Date: March 17, 2026
Published By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Armstrong DK. Gynecologic cancers. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 184.
Boggess JF, Kilgore JE, Tran A-Q. Uterine cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 85.
National Cancer Institute website. Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)-health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/hp/endometrial-treatment-pdq. Updated May 14, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2026.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN Guidelines): uterine neoplasms. Version 2.2026. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/uterine.pdf. Updated November 14, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2026.
Soliman PT, Lu KH. Malignant diseases of the uterus: Endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial carcinoma, sarcoma: diagnosis and management. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 32.