Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer

Endometrial (uterine) cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the uterus (womb). The walls of the uterus (excluding the cervical portion) are made up of the endometrium, the inner lining, and the myometrium, the muscular, outer lining. The most common type of uterine cancer – adenocarcinoma – begins in the endometrium. Less common cancers called sarcomas begin in the myometrium.

The exact cause of uterine cancer is unknown, though exposure to the hormone estrogen seems to be strongly related to the development of this cancer.

• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Treatment at UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre
• Endometrial Cancer In-Depth at UPMC Cancer Centers

Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Common risk factors for endometrial cancer include:

• age: between 50 and 60 years old
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• endometrial polyps
• infertility
• no history of pregnancy
• early start of menstrual periods
• late menopause
• diabetes

Symptoms
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include:

• abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods
• vaginal bleeding or spotting in postmenopausal women
• pain in the pelvic area
• pain during urination
• pain during intercourse

Note: These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious health conditions. A woman experiencing these symptoms should see her doctor.

Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history.

Tests may include:

• blood and urine tests
• pelvic exam – examination of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, bladder, and rectum
• Pap test – scraping and testing tissue from the inside of the cervix and upper vagina
• biopsy of the uterine lining – removing a sample of tissue from the uterine lining for testing
• dilation and curettage (D & C) – to get a sample of tissue from the uterine lining
  

Prevention
All women should have yearly pelvic exams to monitor any changes that may signal cancer development. Use of oral contraceptives may provide some protection against uterine cancer.

Treatment at UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre
There are numerous approaches to endometrial cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The health care and oncology professionals practicing at UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre specialize in radiotherapy, and will work with you, your doctor, and other specialists to design the most effective radiation treatment and recovery plans for your particular needs, including:

• IMRT
• IGRT
• Support Services

Endometrial Cancer In-Depth: Information from UPMC Cancer Centers

UPMC Cancer Centers, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest integrated community networks of cancer physicians and health care specialists in the United States. Working with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the academic and research partner, UPMC Cancer Centers strives to offer patients the latest advances in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and innovative treatment. With the UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre, UPMC is continuing to fulfill its mission to bring world-class cancer treatment to patients right in their own communities.

• Learn more about endometrial cancer from the experts at UPMC Cancer Centers
  (This link will take you to the website for UPMC Cancer Centers.)