
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions โ written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Uterine Cancer
Introduction
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Synonyms and keywords: Endometrial adenocarcinoma; uterine adenocarcinoma; Endometrial cancer; adenocarcinoma – endometrium; adenocarcinoma – uterus; cancer – uterine; cancer – endometrial; uterine corpus cancer
Overview
Overview
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women. Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. Approximately 8โ30% of patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia may progress to develop endometrial cancer. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the 7 histological subtypes: endometrioid, uterine papillary serous, mucinous, clear cell, squamous cell, mixed and undifferentiated. Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders. The hallmark of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. A positive history of bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women and vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women is suggestive of endometrial cancer. Pelvic MRI and endometrial biopsy may be diagnostic of endometrial cancer. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good. The optimal therapy for endometrial cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis and comprises total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to most patients if they are surgical candidates.
Historical Perspective
The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s. The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.
Classification
Endometrial cancer may be classified according to histology into either type I comprising 80% of endometrial cancers or type II accounting for around 20%.
Pathophysiology
Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the histological subtype.
Causes
Causes of endometrial cancer include genetic mutations of the KRAS gene, TP53 gene, TP16 gene, and/or PTEN gene. Other genetic mutations have also been described.
Differential Diagnosis
Endometrial cancer in early stage must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.
Epidemiology and Demographics
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women. In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence was approximately 232 per 100,000 and the age-adjusted incidence was approximately 27 per 100,000 in the USA.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen use, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders.
Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
If left untreated, approximately 8โ30% of patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia may progress to develop endometrial cancer. Common complications of endometrial cancer include menorrhagia and metastasis. Depending on the extent of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.
Diagnosis
Staging
According to the FIGO Staging System, there are 4 stages of endometrial cancer.
History and Symptoms
The hallmark of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. A positive history of bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women and vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women is suggestive of endometrial cancer.
MRI
The MRI is not needed for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. However, an MRI may be helpful in staging of the disease.
Ultrasound
On transvaginal ultrasound, endometrial cancer is characterized by thickening of the endometrium and disruption of a subendometrial halo.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other diagnostic studies for endometrial cancer include endometrial biopsy
Treatment
Medical therapy
The optimal therapy for endometrial cancer depends on the stage at diagnosis. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is indicated in stages IIIB- IV.
Surgery
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for endometrial cancer stage I-III.
Primary Prevention
Effective measures for the primary prevention of endometrial cancer include administration of combination oral contraceptives.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[3]
Historical Perspective
Overview
The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s. The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.
Historical Perspective
- The earliest descriptions of endometrial cancer were reported in the early 1900s.
- The association between estrogen and development of endometrial cancer was first reported in the 1970s when the incidence of endometrial cancer significantly increased between 1970 and 1975 following the introduction of estrogen replacement therapy.[1]
- Surgical staging of endometrial cancer was first suggested in 1988 and was later revised in 2009.[2]
- The first laparoscopic hysterectomy was reported in 1992.[3]
References
- โ Jick H, Walker AM, Rothman KJ (1980). “The epidemic of endometrial cancer: a commentary”. Am J Public Health. 70 (3): 264โ7. PMCย 1619376. PMIDย 7356090.
- โ Creasman W (2009). “Revised FIGO staging for carcinoma of the endometrium”. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 105 (2): 109. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.02.010. PMIDย 19345353.
- โ Childers JM, Surwit EA (1992). “Combined laparoscopic and vaginal surgery for the management of two cases of stage I endometrial cancer”. Gynecol Oncol. 45 (1): 46โ51. PMIDย 1534780.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.
Pathophysiology
Overview
Development of endometrial cancer is the result of multiple genetic mutations. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer include TP53, KRAS, and PTEN. The pathophysiology of endometrial cancer depends on the histological subtype.
Pathogenesis
- Endometrial cancer forms when there are errors in normal endometrial cell growth.[1][2]
- Development of an endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of endometrial cells) is a significant risk factor because hyperplasia can and often do develop into adenocarcinoma, though cancer can develop without the presence of a hyperplasia. Within ten years, 8โ30% of atypical endometrial hyperplasias develop into cancer, whereas 1โ3% of non-atypical hyperplasias do so.[3]
- Mutations in the KRAS gene can cause endometrial hyperplasia and therefore type I endometrial cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia typically occurs after the age of 40. Endometrial glandular dysplasia occurs with an overexpression of TP53, and develops into a serous carcinoma (type II endometrial cancer).[4]
- Endometrial cancer frequently metastasizes to the ovaries and fallopian tubes when the cancer is located in the upper part of the uterus and the cervix when the cancer is in the lower part of the uterus.
- The cancer usually first spreads into the myometrium and the serosa, then into other reproductive and pelvic structures. When the lymphatic system is involved, the pelvic lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes are usually first to become involved, but in no specific pattern, unlike cervical cancer.
- More distant metastases are spread by the blood and often occur in the lungs, as well as the liver, brain, and bone.[5]
Genetics
|
Genes involved in pathogenesis of endometrial cancer involve:
- In 10โ20% of endometrial cancers, mostly gradeย 3 (the highest histologic grade), mutations are found in a tumor suppressor gene, commonly TP53 or PTEN.
- In 20% of endometrial hyperplasias and 50% of endometrioid cancers, PTEN suffers a loss-of-function mutation or a null mutation, making it less effective or completely ineffective.[7] Loss of PTEN function leads to up-regulation of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway, which causes cell growth.[8]
- The TP53 pathway can either be suppressed or highly activated in endometrial cancer. When a mutant version of TP53 is overexpressed, the cancer tends to be particularly aggressive. TP53 mutations and chromosome instability are associated with serous carcinomas, which tend to resemble ovarian and fallopian carcinomas. Serous carcinomas are thought to develop from endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma.[8]
- PTEN and p27 loss of function mutations are associated with a good prognosis, particularly in obese women. The Her2/neu oncogene, which indicates a poor prognosis, is expressed in 20% of endometrioid and serous carcinomas. CTNNB1 (beta-catenin; a transcription gene) mutations are found in 14โ44% of endometrial cancers and may indicate a good prognosis, but the data is unclear. Beta-catenin mutations are commonly found in endometrial cancers with squamous cells.[8]
- FGFR2 mutations are found in approximately 10% of endometrial cancers, and their prognostic significance is unclear.[7]
- SPOP is another tumor suppressor gene found to be mutated in some cases of endometrial cancer: 9% of clear cell endometrial carcinomas and 8% of serous endometrial carcinomas have mutations in this gene.[9]
- Type I and type II cancers (explained below) tend to have different mutations involved. ARID1A, which often carries a point mutation in type I endometrial cancer, is also mutated in 26% of clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium, and 18% of serous carcinomas. Epigenetic silencing and point mutations of several genes are commonly found in type I endometrial cancer.[10]
- Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in type II endometrial cancer. PIK3CA is commonly mutated in both type I and type II cancers. In women with Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer, microsatellite instability is common.[8]
- The genetic mutations most commonly associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma are in the genes PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, PIK3CA (expresses a kinase), KRAS (expresses GTPase that functions in signal transduction), and CTNNB1 that expresses a protein involved in adhesion and cell signaling. The CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) gene is most commonly mutated in the squamous subtype of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.[11]
- The genetic mutations seen in serous carcinoma are chromosomal instability and mutations in TP53, an important tumor suppressor gene.[12]
- The p53 cell signaling system is not active in endometrial clear cell carcinoma.[13]
Microscopic Pathology
On microscopic histopathological analysis, endometrial cancer is characterized by:[14]
1. Endometrioid (most common; 75%โ80%)
- Ciliated adenocarcinoma
- Secretory adenocarcinoma
- Papillary or villoglandular
- Adenocarcinoma with squamous differentiation
- Adenoacanthoma
- Adenosquamous (Adenosquamous tumors contain malignant elements of both glandular and squamous epithelium)
2. Uterine papillary serous (<10%)
3. Mucinous (1%)
4. Clear cell (4%)
5. Squamous cell (<1%)
6. Mixed (10%)
7. Undifferentiated
| Characteristic/Parameter | Type I endometrial cancers | Type II endometrial cancers |
|---|---|---|
| Time of onset | Occur most commonly before and around the time of menopause | Occur in older, post-menopausal |
| Race | White | Black |
| Grade of tumor | Low-grade | High-grade |
| Invasive | Minimally invasive into the underlying uterine wall myometrium | Deep invasion into the underlying myometrium |
| Estrogen | Dependent | Independent |
| Type | Endometrioid | Uterine papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma |
| Prognosis. | Good | Poor |
| Types of endometrial cancer | Histopathological features |
|---|---|
|
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma |
|
|
Serous carcinoma |
|
|
Clear cell carcinoma |
|
|
Mucinous carcinoma |
Well-differentiated columnar cells organized into glands with the characteristic mucin in the cytoplasm. |
|
Mixed or undifferentiated carcinoma |
Sheets of identical epithelial cells with no identifiable pattern |
References
- โ Kong A, Johnson N, Kitchener HC, Lawrie TA (2012). “Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 4: CD003916. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003916.pub4. PMCย 4164955. PMIDย 22513918.
- โ What You Need To Know: Endometrial Cancer”.NCI. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- โ Luo, L; Luo, B; Zheng, Y; Zhang, H; Li, J; Sidell, N (5 June 2013). “Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for atypical endometrial hyperplasia”. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 6: CD009458. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009458.pub2. PMIDย 23737032.
- โ Saso, S; Chatterjee, J; Georgiou, E; Ditri, AM; Smith, JR; Ghaem-Maghami, S (2011). “Endometrial cancer”. BMJ. 343: d3954โd3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMIDย 21734165.
- โ Kurra V, Krajewski KM, Jagannathan J, Giardino A, Berlin S, Ramaiya N (2013). “Typical and atypical metastatic sites of recurrent endometrial carcinoma”. Cancer Imaging. 13: 113โ22. doi:10.1102/1470-7330.2013.0011. PMCย 3613792. PMIDย 23545091.
- โ International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
- โ 7.0 7.1 Thaker, PH; Sood, AK. “Molecular Oncology in Gynecologic Cancer”. In Lentz, GM; Lobo, RA; Gershenson, DM; Katz, VL. Comprehensive Gynecology (6th ed.). Mosby. ISBNย 978-0-323-06986-1.
- โ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Colombo N, Preti E, Landoni F, Carinelli S, Colombo A, Marini C; et al. (2013). “Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”. Ann Oncol. 24 Suppl 6: vi33โ8. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdt353. PMIDย 24078661.
- โ Mani, RS (September 2014). “The emerging role of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) in cancer development”. Drug Discovery Today. 19 (9): 1498โ1502. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2014.07.009. PMIDย 25058385.
A recent exome-sequencing study revealed that 8% of serious endometrial cancers and 9% of clear cell endometrial cancers have SPOP mutations
- โ International Agency for Research on Cancer (2014). World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. Chapter 5.12. ISBN 978-92-832-0429-9.
- โ Colombo, N; Preti, E; Landoni, F; Carinelli, S; Colombo, A; Marini, C; Sessa, C (2011). “Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”. Annals of Oncology. 22 (Supplement 6): vi35โvi39. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdr374. PMIDย 21908501.
- โ Johnson N, Bryant A, Miles T, Hogberg T, Cornes P (2011). “Adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer after hysterectomy”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (10): CD003175. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003175.pub2. PMCย 4164379. PMIDย 21975736.
- โ Saso S, Chatterjee J, Georgiou E, Ditri AM, Smith JR, Ghaem-Maghami S (2011). “Endometrial cancer”. BMJ. 343: d3954. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3954. PMIDย 21734165.
- โ Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNย 9780071716727.
Editor-In-Chief:
C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]
Differentiating Endometrial cancer from other Diseases

Overview
In early stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.
Differentiating Endometrial Cancer From Other Diseases
- In early stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from diseases that cause abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening on ultrasound, such as endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, and submucosal uterine leiomyoma. In advanced stages endometrial cancer must be differentiated from uterine sarcoma and uterine lymphoma.[1]
| Diseases | Clinical manifestations | Para-clinical findings | Gold standard | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | Physical examination | |||||||||||
| Lab Findings | Imaging | Pap Smear | Histopathology | |||||||||
| Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Abdomino-pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | ||||
| Endometrial cancer[2][3][4][5] |
|
ยฑ |
|
|
โ | โ | + |
|
|
|
Endometrial malignant cells
|
|
| Uterine |
|
ยฑ |
|
|
โ | โ | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Uterine leiomyoma[10][11][12] |
|
+ |
|
|
โ or Nl | โ | โ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Uterine carcinosarcomas (Malignant mixed mullerian tumour (MMMT) of the uterus)[13][14][15][16] |
|
ยฑ |
|
โ | โ | + |
|
|
||||
| Cervical cancer[17][18] |
|
ยฑ |
|
|
โ | โ | ยฑ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Metastasis |
|
ยฑ |
|
|
โ | โ | โ |
|
|
|
| |
| Endometrial polyp[19][20] |
|
โ |
|
|
โ | โ | + or Nl |
|
|
|
| |
| Endometrial hyperplasia[21][22][23][24] |
|
โ |
|
|
โ | โ | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Uterine adenomyosis[25][26][27] | โ | ยฑ |
|
โ | โ | + |
|
|
|
| ||
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
| Hematometra (blood within the uterine cavity) | โ | +
Cramping cyclic pain |
|
โ | โ | โ |
|
|
|
|
||
| Gestational trophoblastic disease[30][31] |
|
+ |
|
|
โ | ยฑ | + |
|
|
|
|
|
| Incomplete abortion |
|
+ |
|
|
N/โ | ยฑ | +โ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pregnancy |
|
+ |
|
โ | + | โ |
|
|
|
|||
| Uterine lymphoma[1][32][33][34] |
|
+ |
|
|
โ | – | – |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diseases | Bleeding | Pelvic Pain/pressure/
discomfort |
Other | Pelvic examination | Hb | B-HCG | CA-125 | Ultrasound | MRI | Pap Smear | Histopathology | Gold standard |
References
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- โ “ACOG practice bulletin, clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists, number 65, August 2005: management of endometrial cancer”. Obstet Gynecol. 106 (2): 413โ25. August 2005. PMIDย 16055605.
- โ Boruta DM, Gehrig PA, Fader AN, Olawaiye AB (October 2009). “Management of women with uterine papillary serous cancer: a Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) review”. Gynecol. Oncol. 115 (1): 142โ153. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.06.011. PMIDย 19592079.
- โ Bokhman JV (February 1983). “Two pathogenetic types of endometrial carcinoma”. Gynecol. Oncol. 15 (1): 10โ7. PMIDย 6822361.
- โ Felix AS, Weissfeld JL, Stone RA, Bowser R, Chivukula M, Edwards RP, Linkov F (November 2010). “Factors associated with Type I and Type II endometrial cancer”. Cancer Causes Control. 21 (11): 1851โ6. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9612-8. PMCย 2962676. PMIDย 20628804.
- โ Nordal RR, Thoresen SO (May 1997). “Uterine sarcomas in Norway 1956-1992: incidence, survival and mortality”. Eur. J. Cancer. 33 (6): 907โ11. PMIDย 9291814.
- โ Goto A, Takeuchi S, Sugimura K, Maruo T (2002). “Usefulness of Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI and serum determination of LDH and its isozymes in the differential diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma from degenerated leiomyoma of the uterus”. Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer. 12 (4): 354โ61. PMIDย 12144683.
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- โ Samama M, van Poelgeest M (September 2011). “Primary malignant lymphoma of the uterus: a case report and review of the literature”. Case Rep Oncol. 4 (3): 560โ3. doi:10.1159/000334852. PMCย 3251245. PMIDย 22220150.
- โ Shen CJ, Tsai EM, Tsai KB, Wu CH, Hsu SC (March 2007). “Primary T-cell lymphoma of the uterine corpus”. Kaohsiung J. Med. Sci. 23 (3): 138โ41. doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(09)70388-2. PMIDย 17389178.
- โ Heeren JH, Croonen AM, Pijnenborg JM (April 2008). “Primary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the female genital tract: a case report and literature review”. Int. J. Gynecol. Pathol. 27 (2): 243โ6. doi:10.1097/PGP.0b013e3181569a0a. PMIDย 18317217.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Qurrat-ul-ain Abid, M.D.[2]; Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [3]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[4]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Overview
In the United States, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women.[1] In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence was approximately 232 per 100,000 and the age-adjusted incidence was approximately 27 per 100,000 in the USA.[2]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
- In 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence of endometrial cancer was 232 per 100,000 in the United States.[2]
Incidence
- In 2011, the age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer was 27 per 100,000 persons in the United States.[2]
Age
- While the overall age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer in the United States between 2007 and 2011 is 24 per 100,000.
- The age-adjusted incidence of endometrial cancer by age category is:[2]
- Under 65 years: 16 per 100,000
- 65 and over: 84 per 100,000
Race
- Endometrial cancer is more prevalent among White patients.
- Shown below is a table depicting the age-adjusted prevalence of endometrial cancer by race in 2011 in the United States.[2]
| All Races | White | Black | Asian/Pacific Islander | Hispanic | |
| Age-adjusted prevalence | 232 per 100,000 | 252.5 per 100,000 | 145 per 100,000 | 167.6 per 100,000 | 166 per 100,000 |
References
- โ endometrial cancer statistics. CDC.gov
- โ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Garshell J, Miller D, Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z,Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2011, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2011/, based on November 2013 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2014.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Risk Factors
Overview
Common risk factors in the development of endometrial cancer are estrogen exposure, tamoxifen use, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and genetic disorders.
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors for endometrial cancer are:
- 1. Estrogen exposure
- 2. Early menarche
- Women who have menstrual periods at an early age also increases the number of years the body is exposed to estrogen and increases a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer.[2]
- 3.Late menopause
- 4. Nulliparity
- 5. Tamoxifen
- Tamoxifen is one of a group of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs. Tamoxifen is used to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk for the disease, but it increases the risk of endometrial cancer. This risk is greater in postmenopausal women.[4]
- 6. Family history
- Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome (Lynch syndrome): Women with Lynch syndrome have a 40โ60%ย risk of developing endometrial cancer, higher than their risk of developing colorectal (bowel) or ovarian cancer.[5] Carcinogenesis in Lynch syndrome comes from a mutation in MLH1 and/or MLH2: genes that participate in the process of mismatch repair, which allows a cell to correct mistakes in the DNA.[6] Other genes mutated in Lynch syndrome include MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, which are also mismatch repair genes.
- Cowden syndrome: Women with Cowden syndrome have a 5โ10%ย lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer, compared to the 2โ3%ย risk for unaffected women.[7][8] Cowden syndrome is associated with mutations in PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, that cause the PTEN protein not to work properly leading to hyperactivity of the mTOR pathway.
- 7. Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
- 8. Obesity
- 11. Diabetes and hypertension
- Women suffering from hypertension or diabetes are at increased risk for developing endometrial cancer.[10]
References
- โ Vern L. Katz, Gretchen M. Lentz (2012). Comprehensive gynecology. Philadelphia, PA, USA: Elsevier/ Mosby. ISBNย 978-0-323-06986-1.
- โ 2.0 2.1 Brinton LA, Berman ML, Mortel R, Twiggs LB, Barrett RJ, Wilbanks GD; et al. (1992). “Reproductive, menstrual, and medical risk factors for endometrial cancer: results from a case-control study”. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 167 (5): 1317โ25. PMIDย 1442985.
- โ Vale CL, Tierney J, Bull SJ, Symonds PR (2012). “Chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 8: CD003915. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003915.pub4. PMIDย 22895938.
- โ Staley H, McCallum I, Bruce J (2012). “Postoperative tamoxifen for ductal carcinoma in situ”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 10: CD007847. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007847.pub2. PMIDย 23076938.
- โ Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNย 9780071716727. Check
|isbn=value: invalid character (help). - โ Hoffman, Barbara (2012). Williams gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBNย 9780071716727. Check
|isbn=value: invalid character (help). - โ Kumar (2009). Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of DiseaseProfessional Edition, 8th ed. Saunders, An Imprint of Elsevier.
- โ Cotran, Robbins (2009). Pathologic Basis of Disease. Jacksonville, FL, U.S.A: Saunders//Elsevier. ISBNย 978-1-4160-3121-5.
- โ SGO Clinical Practice Endometrial Cancer Working Group. Burke WM, Orr J, Leitao M, Salom E, Gehrig P; et al. (2014). “Endometrial cancer: a review and current management strategies: part I.” Gynecol Oncol. 134 (2): 385โ92. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.05.018. PMIDย 24905773.
- โ Furberg AS, Thune I (2003). “Metabolic abnormalities (hypertension, hyperglycemia and overweight), lifestyle (high energy intake and physical inactivity) and endometrial cancer risk in a Norwegian cohort”. Int J Cancer. 104 (6): 669โ76. doi:10.1002/ijc.10974. PMIDย 12640672.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]
Screening
Overview
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.[1]
Endometrial Cancer Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for endometrial cancer.[1]
Women with Lynch syndrome have a risk of developing endometrial cancer up to 50% higher than the general population.
- Screening for endometrial cancer in women with Lynch syndrome by annual endometrial sampling is recommended starting at age 30 to 35 (or 5 to 10 years prior to the first diagnosed Lynch syndrome-associated cancer in a family member).[2]
References
- โ 1.0 1.1 “Endometrial Cancer Screening”.
- โ Lindor NM, Petersen GM, Hadley DW, Kinney AY, Miesfeldt S, Lu KH; et al. (2006). “Recommendations for the care of individuals with an inherited predisposition to Lynch syndrome: a systematic review”. JAMA. 296 (12): 1507โ17. doi:10.1001/jama.296.12.1507. PMIDย 17003399.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[3]
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview
Natural History
Complications
Complications are usually due to the therapy. They can be classified as –
- Intra-operative-
- Uterine perforation following D&C or biopsy.
- Hemorrhage after lymphadenectomy
- Post-operative- typically common as many females have comorbid conditions like obesity, increased age, etc when they develop endometrial cancer. Of note is thromboembolism.
Prognosis
Of all prognostic factors to consider in endometrial cancer, staging is the most important one. Surgical histopathology contributes to it. Clear cell and papillary serous types are associated with a poor prognosis and are included in the histological category of poorly differentiated variety. As far as squamous types are concerned, it is just the adeno component which plays a key role in prognosis. More the adeno component, worse the prognosis.
It is the depth and not the grade of myometrial invasion that is important, as with increasing depth, there are high chances of extra-uterine spread. Lymph node metastasis is equally important and must be correlated with other prognostic factors. A positive peritoneal cytology needs only to be reported but it does not change the stage.
Because endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed in the early stages (70ย % to 75ย % of cases are in stage 1 at diagnosis; 10ย % to 15ย % of cases are in stage 2; 10ย % to 15ย % of cases are in stage 3 or 4), there is a better probable outcome associated with it than with other types of gynecological cancers such as cervical or ovarian cancer. While endometrial cancers are 40% more common in Caucasian women, an African American woman who is diagnosed with uterine cancer is twice as likely to die, possibly due to the higher frequency of aggressive subtypes in that population.
Survival rates
The 5-year survival rate for endometrial cancer following appropriate treatment is:
- 75% to 95% for stage 1
- 50% for stage 2
- 30% for stage 3
- less than 5% for stage 4
References
complications and prognosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Staging | Laboratory Findings | Chest X Rays | CT | MRI | Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Monalisa Dmello, M.B,B.S., M.D. [2]
