Endometrial cancer (patient information)
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What is endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a baby grows). Most endometrial carcinomas are cancers of the cells that form glands in the endometrium. These are called adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
The most common type of endometrial cancer is called endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Other rare types of endometrial carcinomas include squamous cell and undifferentiated. Doctors sometimes divide endometrial carcinoma into 2 types based on their outlook and underlying causes. "Type 1" cancers are thought to be caused by excess estrogen. They are usually not very aggressive and are slow to spread to other tissues.
A small number of endometrial cancers are "type 2." Experts aren't sure what causes type 2 cancers, but the type 2 cancers don't seem to be caused by too much estrogen. Because type 2 cancers are more likely to grow and spread outside of the uterus, they have a poorer outlook than type 1 cancers. Doctors tend to treat these cancers more aggressively.
How do I know if I have endometrial cancer and what are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?
Who is at risk for endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer usually occurs in women after menopause, and affects more white women than black women. Black women diagnosed with endometrial cancer are more likely to have more advanced disease at diagnosis, and are more likely to die from endometrial cancer than white women.
Some of the risk factors for endometrial cancer are:
Estrogen Exposure
Estrogen exposure through estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy. A combination estrogen-progestin replacement therapy in post menopausal women, however, has not been shown to increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
Beginning to have menstrual periods at an early age also increases the number of years the body is exposed to estrogen and increases a woman's risk of endometrial cancer. Similarly, women who reach menopause at an older age are exposed to estrogen for a longer time and have an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Never being pregnant is also a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Because estrogen levels are lower during pregnancy, women who have never been pregnant are exposed to estrogen for a longer time than women who have been pregnant. This increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is one of a group of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs. Tamoxifen is used to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk for the disease, but it increases the risk of endometrial cancer. This risk is greater in postmenopausal women.
Another drug in the SERM group, raloxifene, is used to prevent bone weakness in postmenopausal women and has not been shown to increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
Inherited risk
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome is an inherited disorder caused by changes in certain genes. Women who have HNPCC syndrome have a much higher risk of developing endometrial cancer than women who do not have HNPCC syndrome.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (a disorder of the hormones made by the ovaries) have an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Body fat
Obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer. This may be because obesity is related to other risk factors such as estrogen levels, polycystic ovary syndrome, lack of physical activity, and a diet that is high in saturated fats.
It is not known if losing weight decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.
How to know you have endometrial cancer?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for endometrial cancer
Directions to Hospitals Treating endometrial cancer