The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ in the pelvis where a fetus grows. Cancer of the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, is called endometrial cancer. Cancer that forms in the muscle of the uterus is called uterine sarcoma and is treated differently than endometrial cancer.
Women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer most often between the ages of 55 and 64 years. It is slightly more common in white women than in black women. The reason for this difference is not fully understood. But hormones may play a role. During menstruation, female hormones stimulate the growth and development of the lining of the uterus. But in some cases, this overgrowth may cause abnormal cells to develop and grow out of control. These abnormal cells can then turn into cancer and spread to other parts of the body.
A genetic mutation most likely causes endometrial cancer. The ovaries produce two types of female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Fluctuations in the balance of these hormones may affect how the lining of the uterus grows. These fluctuations may also increase the risk of getting a type of endometrial cancer known as serous, undifferentiated or clear cell carcinoma.
These tumors tend to be more aggressive than other types of endometrial cancer and have lower survival rates. They are most commonly confined to the uterus when diagnosed but can spread to other areas of the pelvis or to other organs in the abdomen, including the ovaries, the rectum and the bowel.
The most common treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery to remove the uterus. This is usually combined with radiation therapy, which uses X-rays, gamma rays or charged particles to kill cancer cells and reduce symptoms. Radiation can be delivered through a catheter placed in the uterus or through image-based brachytherapy with the help of magnetic resonance (MR) guidance.
If the cancer has spread, other treatments may be used to control it. These may include medicines to suppress the immune system, and other therapies that use X-rays, gamma or charged particles to destroy cancer cells. The goal of treatment is to prevent the cancer from coming back or spreading to other areas of the body.
Regular follow-up visits with your doctor are important. This will help your doctor know how well the treatment is working and whether the cancer has returned or spread to other parts of the body. Your doctor may also want you to take part in a clinical trial. These are studies of new ways to treat diseases, like endometrial cancer, that are still being tested.
