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What is Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of a woman’s reproductive system. The cancer begins when normal cells in your uterus begin to change, grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cells called a tumor. If this tumor is found to be malignant, you have uterine cancer. 

​Your uterus is located between your bladder and rectum. It’s also called the womb, and is where a baby grows when you are pregnant.
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The uterus has three sections: the cervix (the narrow, lower section), the corpus (the broad, middle section) and the fundus (the dome-shaped, top section). A cancerous tumor can spread to other parts of your body.

Types of Uterine Cancer

Each type of uterine cancer evolves differently and requires distinct approaches to treatment. Cervical cancer develops in the cervix and is not considered to be a type of uterine cancer. The two primary types of uterine cancer include:
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• Endometrial cancer: Endometrial cancer occurs in the lining of your uterus, which is called the endometrium. It is the most common type of uterine cancer and accounts for more than 95 percent of diagnosed cases. Endometrial cancer primarily affects postmenopausal women and is rare in women under age 45
• Sarcoma: Sarcoma forms in the supporting muscle tissues of your uterus. It accounts for just about 2 to 4 percent of uterine cancers

Uterine cancer often does not cause advanced signs or symptoms. Annual pelvic exams are key and allow your physician to detect signs of uterine cancer early, when it is most treatable. When detected in an early stage, uterine cancer can often be cured. Take an active role in your health and have regular pelvic exams.

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. It may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. After menopause, any vaginal bleeding is abnormal. Other common symptoms of uterine cancer include:
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• Painful or difficult urination
• Pain during sex
• Pain in the pelvic area

These symptoms may be caused by uterine cancer or another health condition. If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, talk with your physician. In some cases, uterine cancer may not show any symptoms until advanced stages. Talk with your physician about having routine pelvic exams.

Causes of Uterine Cancer

The exact cause of uterine cancer is unknown, but there are a number of factors that can put you more at risk. 
Risk factors include:
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• Obesity, the leading risk factor
• Advancing age
• History of endometrial hyperplasia
• Estrogen therapy
• Diabetes
• History of an inherited form of colon cancer (called hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer or Lynch syndrome)
• History of breast or ovarian cancer
• History of taking tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment or prevention
• Race (African-American women are affected with uterine sarcoma at a rate twice that of Caucasian or Asian women)
• History of radiation therapy to the pelvic area
• High-fat diet
• History of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Reproductive and menstrual history (The risk increases if you never had children, had your first period before age 12 and/or went through menopause after age 55)

Diagnoses

​Diagnostic testing and procedures for uterine cancer include:

• A detailed medical history
• A thorough physical exam
• Pelvic examination of your uterus, vagina, ovaries, bladder and rectum (may include a Pap test)
• Ultrasound to look at your uterus and nearby tissue and check for tumors
• Biopsy, or removal of a sample of tissue, to see if the tissue contains cancer cells
• Dilation and curettage (D & C), a minor operation in which the cervix is dilated, so that the cervical canal and uterine lining can be scraped and evaluated

​If you are diagnosed with uterine cancer, Northwestern Medicine is home to the most advanced treatment options provided by skilled cancer specialists. Our team offers a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating the disease and our surgical results for treating cancer are among the best anywhere. Together, we will develop a treatment plan, tailored to your specific condition, that offers the help and hope you need.