Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the uterus, the hollow organ in a female’s reproductive system where a baby grows during pregnancy. About 1 in 37 women will develop uterine cancer in their lifetime. It is the most common type of cancer affecting a woman’s reproductive system.
Uterine cancer develops when cells in the uterus begin to grow abnormally. The most common type of uterine cancer is endometrial cancer, which starts in the layer of cells that make up the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. Other, less common types of uterine cancer can also develop in the walls of the uterus.
Risk factors for developing uterine cancer include increasing age, being overweight or obese, having an abnormal uterus, taking tamoxifen (a drug used to treat breast cancer), having diabetes, having endometrial hyperplasia (an overgrowth of endometrial cells), never having given birth, taking hormones to treat menopausal symptoms, having a condition called Lynch syndrome, and having a family history of uterine cancer.
Common symptoms of uterine cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain or pressure in the pelvic area, frequent or urgent urination, and pain during intercourse.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for uterine cancer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery is often the first line of treatment and may involve removing the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, medications may also be prescribed to help keep cancer from coming back.
Regular checkups are important for early detection of uterine cancer. Women over the age of 40 should have a yearly pelvic exam, which should include a Pap test, an ultrasound, and, for postmenopausal women, a uterine biopsy.
Uterine cancer is not the same thing as cervical cancer, but can be just as life-threatening if not caught and treated early. Knowing the risk factors and symptoms, as well as getting regular checkups, can help prevent the development of uterine cancer or catch it early, when treatment has the best chance of success.