Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer, also called cancer of the uterus or endometrial cancer, is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The disease begins in the uterus, a hollow organ where a baby grows, also called the womb.
About Uterine Cancer
The most common type of uterine cancer begins in the cells in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Uterine cancer may grow through the walls of the uterus and invade nearby tissues and organs.
Sometimes cancerous cell can spread from the uterus into the lymphatic system. This is a fluid system that can carry the cancer to other parts of the body. Uterine cancer that spreads is called metastatic uterine cancer.
There are many conditions of the uterus that are not cancerous. These include fibroids, endometriosis, and endometrial hyperplasia.
Uterine sarcoma is a different type of cancer that begins in the outer muscle layer of the uterus.
Who’s at Risk?
Uterine cancer is most often diagnosed in women over 50. Also, women who have no children, began menstruation at a young age, or entered menopause later in life, are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Risk Factors
The following risk factors have been found to increase the chance of developing uterine cancer:
- Endometrial hyperplasia: A non-cancerous condition in which there’s an increase in the cells that line the uterus. If left untreated, it can sometimes develop into cancer.
- High levels of estrogen: Women who take estrogen in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without progesterone, which protects the uterus. Obesity also increases the body’s natural estrogen levels.
- Tamoxifen: A drug used to prevent or treat breast cancer that has estrogen-like effects on the uterus.
- Colorectal cancer: An inherited form of colorectal cancer increases the risk.
Treatment
Most women with uterine cancer will have gynecologic surgery to remove the uterus in a procedure called a hysterectomy.
Various forms of radiation therapy are used to treat uterine cancer. External beam radiation uses an external machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancerous area. Brachytherapy may be used to deliver high doses of radiation inside the body near the cancerous area.
Hormonal therapy is another treatment option for some women.
Cancer Care Northwest provides a high level of expertise in gynecologic oncology. Our gynecologic oncologists are skilled surgeons who have specialized training in the comprehensive treatment of cancers of the female reproductive organs, including uterine cancer.
Some information on this page is provided by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.