Endometrial Cancer Overview
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 between the ages of 60 and 70. A few cases may occur before age 40.
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 drug 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
- Extremely 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 early 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, has spread to the lymph nodes, or is a grade 2 or 3
- Stage 2 disease
Chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may be considered in some cases, most often for those with stage 3 and 4 disease.
St Paul Place Specialists Inc
Teresa Diaz-Montes is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Diaz-Montes and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Endometrial Cancer, Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Hysterectomy, and Ureteroscopy.
St Paul Place Specialists Inc
Neil Rosenshein is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Rosenshein and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Angiomyoma, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Ureteroscopy, and Vaginectomy.
Lutherville Hematology And Oncology Services
Panayotis Ledakis is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Ledakis and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Appendix Cancer, Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, Colorectal Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, and Ureteroscopy.
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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
Frequent 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 phase Ib trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of tumor treating fields therapy in combination with either cabozantinib or nab-paclitaxel and atezolizumab in treating patients with solid tumors involving the abdomen or thorax that have spread to other parts of the body (advanced). Tumor treating fields therapy on this study utilizes NovoTTF systems that are wearable devices that...
Summary: This phase II ComboMATCH treatment trial compares selumetinib plus olaparib to selumetinib alone in women with endometrial or ovarian (fallopian tube and primary peritoneal) cancer that has come back (recurrent) or that remains despite treatment (persistent) and harbors a mutation in the RAS pathway. Selumetinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell gro...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
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.
Morice P, Leary A, Creutzberg C, Abu-Rustum N, Darai E. Endometrial cancer. Lancet. 2016;387(10023):1094-1108. PMID: 26354523 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26354523/.
National Cancer Institute website. Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)-health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/hp/endometrial-treatment-pdq. Updated February 8, 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN Guidelines): uterine neoplasms. Version 2.2024. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/uterine.pdf. Updated March 6, 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024.