Uterine Cancer

Summary

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a baby grows when a women is pregnant. There are different types of uterine cancer. The most common type starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This type is also called endometrial cancer.

The symptoms of uterine cancer include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Trouble urinating
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse

Uterine cancer usually happens after menopause. It is more common in women who have obesity. You also have a higher risk if you took estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (menopausal hormone therapy) for many years.

Tests to find uterine cancer include a pelvic exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy. The most common treatment is a hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove the uterus. Sometimes the surgery also removes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Other treatments include hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Some women get more than one type of treatment.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Encyclopedia

• Abdominal radiation – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• D and C Medical Encyclopedia
• D and C – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvic radiation – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvic ultrasound – abdominal Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvis MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Radiation enteritis Medical Encyclopedia
• Uterine sarcoma Medical Encyclopedia

Statistics and Research

• Advances in Endometrial Cancer Research National Cancer Institute
• Cancer Statistics: Uterine Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Key Statistics for Uterine Sarcoma American Cancer Society
• Uterine Cancer Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• What’s New in Uterine Sarcoma Research? American Cancer Society

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute
• Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute

Español/Spanish

• Can Endometrial Cancer Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
• Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors American Cancer Society
• Living as a Uterine Sarcoma Survivor American Cancer Society
• What Is Endometrial Cancer? American Cancer Society
• What’s New in Endometrial Cancer Research? American Cancer Society

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Can Uterine Sarcoma Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Endometrial Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute
• Risk Factors for Uterine Sarcoma American Cancer Society

Patient Handouts

• Choriocarcinoma Medical Encyclopedia
• Endometrial biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
• Endometrial cancer Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Endometrial Neoplasms National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Uterine Neoplasms National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Dilation and curettage (D&C) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Drugs Approved for Endometrial Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Gynecologic Cancers: Treatment Types American Society for Radiation Oncology
• Treatment Option Overview (Endometrial Cancer) National Cancer Institute
• Treatment Option Overview (Uterine Sarcoma) National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Endometrial Cancer American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Uterine Cancer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Uterine Cancer: Cancer of the Uterus Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Endometrial Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute
• Endometrial Cancer Stages American Cancer Society
• Pelvis Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America
• PTEN Genetic Test National Library of Medicine
• Stages of Endometrial Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Stages of Uterine Sarcoma National Cancer Institute
• Tests for Endometrial Cancer American Cancer Society
• Uterine Sarcoma Stages American Cancer Society

Related Issues

• Fertility and Sexual Side Effects in People with Cancer American Cancer Society
• Questions to Ask about Uterine Sarcoma American Cancer Society
• Risks of Endometrial Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute

Specifics

• General Information about Endometrial Cancer National Cancer Institute
• General Information about Uterine Sarcoma National Cancer Institute
• What Is Uterine Sarcoma? American Cancer Society

Journal Articles

• Uterine Cancer

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Uterine Cancer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention