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.
University Of Cincinnati Physicians Company LLC
Thomas Herzog is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Herzog and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Hysterectomy, and Oophorectomy. Dr. Herzog is currently accepting new patients.
Regents Of The University Of California
Ramez Eskander is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Oncologist in San Diego, California. Dr. Eskander and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Hysterectomy, and Splenectomy.
MD Anderson
Ann Klopp is a Radiation Oncologist in League City, Texas. Dr. Klopp and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Endometrial Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Cervical Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Vaginal Cancer, and Vulvar Cancer. Dr. Klopp is currently accepting new patients.
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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 study aims to develop and validate a test for detecting ovarian and endometrial cancers early. It relies on detecting somatic mutations that are associated with these cancers from a uterine pap test. A saliva sample is also collected that acts as an internal control and has the ability to detect deleterious germline mutations associated with common hereditary cancers (such as breast, ovarian,...
Summary: A phase 1a/1b, multicenter, open-label, dose escalation/expansion, multiple-dose study to evaluate the safety and activity of DR-0202 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic, relapsed or refractory carcinomas
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.