Uterine Cancer

Also called: Endometrial cancer

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 are obese. 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

• Choriocarcinoma (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Endometrial biopsy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Endometrial cancer (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Uterine Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – PDF
• What to Know about Brachytherapy (A Type of Internal Radiation Therapy) – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Cancer Institute) – PDF
• What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Cancer Institute) – PDF

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