Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).
Alternative Names
Endometrial adenocarcinoma; Uterine adenocarcinoma; Uterine cancer; Adenocarcinoma -endometrium; Adenocarcinoma - uterus; Cancer - uterine; Cancer - endometrial; Uterine corpus cancer
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. Although the exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, increased levels of estrogen appear to play a role. Estrogen helps stimulate the buildup of the lining of the uterus. Studies have shown that high levels of estrogen in animals result in excessive endometrial growth and
Most cases of endometrial cancer occur between the ages of 60 and 70 years, but a few cases may occur before age 40.
The following increase your risk of endometrial cancer:
- Diabetes
- Estrogen replacement therapy without the use of progesterone
- History of
endometrial polyps or otherbenign growths of the uterine lining -
Infertility (inability to become pregnant) - Infrequent periods
- Tamoxifen, a drug for breast cancer treatment
- Never being pregnant
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Starting menstruation at an early age (before age 12)
- Starting
menopause after age 50
Associated conditions include the following:
- Colon or breast cancer
- Gallbladder disease
High blood pressure Polycystic ovarian disease
Review Date: 02/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound,
Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
