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Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Normally, the lining of the
uterus 
(endometrium) builds up and then sheds every
month. You know this shedding as menstrual bleeding. In most cases of
endometrial cancer, the endometrium has built up, or
thickened, and has stayed that way. This is called
endometrial hyperplasia. From this "precancer" stage,
the cells can grow quickly and out of control. These fast-growing cells are
cancer cells.
As the cancerous cells multiply, they form a mass
of tissue. Some of this tissue mass passes out of the uterus through the cervix
and vagina as part of
abnormal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding occurs in 90% of
postmenopausal women who have endometrial cancer .1
If endometrial cancer is not treated, it may spread from the uterus into
deeper layers of the connective tissue around the uterus. As it progresses, it
may spread to the
pelvic lymph nodes and other pelvic organs. Advanced-stage cancer may spread to
lymph nodes and on to the lungs, liver, bones, brain, and vagina.2
The stage and grade of your cancer is one of the most important factors in selecting the treatment option that is right for you. The long-term outcome (prognosis) depends on the stage of your cancer. The stage of you cancer will be determined by what your doctor finds at the time of surgery. The grade of your cancer is determined by how the cancer cells look under the microscope.
For more information, see the following topics:
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 29, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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