Health Encyclopedia

Endometrial cancer

Definition

Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).

Alternative Names

Endometrial adenocarcinoma; Uterine adenocarcinoma; Uterine cancer; Adenocarcinoma - endometrium; Adenocarcinoma - uterus; Cancer - uterine; Cancer - endometrial; Uterine corpus cancer

Causes

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

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

Exams and Tests

During the early stages of disease, a pelvic exam is often normal.

• In advanced stages, there may be changes in the size, shape, or feel of the uterus or surrounding structures.
• Pap smear (may raise a suspicion for endometrial cancer, but does not diagnose it)

Based on your symptoms and other findings, other tests may be needed. Some can be done in your health care provider's office. Others may be done at a hospital or surgical center:

• Endometrial biopsy: Using a small or thin catheter (tube), tissue is taken from the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The cells are examined under a microscope to see if any appear to be abnormal or cancerous.
• Hysteroscopy: A thin telescope-like device is inserted through the vagina and the opening of the cervix. It lets the provider view the inside of the uterus. Tissue can also be removed for analysis during the exam.
• Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to make a picture of the pelvic organs. The ultrasound may be performed abdominally or vaginally. An ultrasound can determine if the lining of the uterus appears abnormal or thickened.
• Sonohysterography: Fluid is placed in the uterus through a thin tube, while vaginal ultrasound images are made of the uterus. This procedure can be done to determine presence of any abnormal uterine mass which may be an indication of cancer.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): In this imaging test, powerful magnets are used to create images of internal organs.

If cancer is found, imaging tests may be done to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging.

Stages of endometrial cancer are:

• Stage 1: The cancer is only in the uterus.
• Stage 2: The cancer is in the uterus and cervix.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread outside of the uterus, but not beyond the true pelvis area. Cancer may involve the lymph nodes in the pelvis or near the aorta (the major artery in the abdomen).
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread to the inner surface of the bowel, bladder, abdomen, or other organs.

Cancer is also described as grade 1, 2, or 3. Grade 1 is the least aggressive, and grade 3 is the most aggressive. Aggressive means that the cancer grows and spreads quickly.

Treatment

Treatment options include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) may be done in women with early stage 1 cancer. The doctor 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.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed at an early stage.

If the cancer has not spread, 95% of women are alive after 5 years. If the cancer has spread to distant organs, about 25% of women are still alive after 5 years.

Possible Complications

Complications may include any of the following:

• Anemia due to blood loss (before diagnosis)
• Perforation (hole) of the uterus, which may occur during a D and C or endometrial biopsy
• Problems from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

When to Contact a Medical Professional

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

Prevention

There is no effective screening test for endometrial (uterine) cancer.

Women with risk factors for endometrial cancer should be followed closely by their doctors. 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

References

Armstrong DK. Gynecologic cancers. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 189.

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 24, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2022.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN guidelines for patients: uterine cancer, endometrial carcinoma, uterine sarcoma. Version 3.2021. www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/uterine-patient.pdf. Updated June 3, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2022.

Review Date:1/10/2022
Reviewed By:John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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