Introduction

Endometrial cancer starts in the lining (endometrium) of the womb (uterus). The uterus is a hollow organ shaped like a pear that is located in the pelvis between the bladder and the rectum. The uterus is part of a woman’s reproductive system and is where a baby grows during pregnancy. About 40,100 women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in the United States in 2008. Endometrial cancer is also known as uterine cancer and uterine adenocarcinoma.

Uterine cancer begins when cells in the uterus begin to grow and divide without stopping. These cells clump together to form lumps (masses) called tumors. Cancerous tumor cells can spread to other parts of the body if they are not treated and eliminated.

Endometrial cancer can cause irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting during or after menopause (when you stop having monthly periods), longer periods, bleeding between periods, or blood in the stool or urine. Other symptoms include pain in the pelvic area (lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones), vaginal discharge, and unexplained weight loss. Most cases of endometrial cancer are found in the earliest, most treatable stages because women usually notice when bleeding is abnormal and report it to their doctors.

Women who are exposed to higher levels of estrogen, either naturally or from outside sources, are more likely to develop endometrial cancer. Therefore, scientists believe that a woman’s level of estrogen, a hormone (or chemical substance that is formed in one part of the body that affects another part of the body), may play a role in the development of endometrial cancer. Estrogen is the female sex hormone produced by the ovaries that is responsible for the development of female sex characteristics, such as a uterus and breasts. It also helps control a woman’s monthly periods and prepare her body for fertilization and reproduction.

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.