MAIN Health Diseases Cancer Endometrial Cancer

The most common type of gynecologic cancer, endometrial cancer accounts for almost 90% of cases found in the uterus or womb of postmenopausal women.

Less common, uterin sarcoma - which orginates in the myometrium, (muscle tissue surrounding the uterus) - accounts for less than 10% of uterin cancers.

Endometrial cancer is usually first detected as adenocarcinoma, which originates in the surface cells of the endometrium.

Symptoms typically begin with abnormal bleeding following menopause.

Diagnose typically includes a D&C (dilation and curettage test) to detect any cancer cells. If the disease is caught in its initial stages it is successfully treated in almost all cases by hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) either by traditional or less invasive laparoscopic surgery.

Later stages of endometrial cancer, seen in symptoms that include pelvic pain or sudden and unexplained weight loss, is commonly treated with more aggressive surgical procedures which may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Health experts point to obesity as the greatest risk for developing endometrial cancer, and strongly suggest a low-fat, high soy protein diet to help reduce risk. Regular exercise and increasing the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet have also been shown to lower the risk of endometrial and other cancers.

On the Web, learn more about the disease at expert sites offering helpful information on screening and testing for endometrial cancer, stages of the disease, treatment options, follow-up care, plus where to find additional resources and support ...

Women's Cancer Network - Endometrial Cancer Information - Extensive FAQ plus information on treatment options incuding chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgeries, tips & advice on side effects and follow-up care, and information on related research and clinical trials.

General Information About Endometrial Cancer - Patient guide to the topic with a brief overview, information on signs & symptoms, stages and treatment from the National Cancer Institute.

Overview: Endometrial Cancer - Extensive guide from the American Cancer Society with information on risk factors & prevention, early detection, diagnosis & staging, treatment options, after care, questions to ask your doctor, clinical trials & research, statistics, related links.

Endometrial cancer - Online brochure from the Mayo Clinic including facts, tips & advice on who is at risk and when to seek treatment, descriptions of typical screening tests, treatment options, related complicatons and information on follow-up care.

Cancer of the womb information centre - UK site with discussions on causes & diagnosis, symptoms, staging and grading, surgery, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, life after womb cancer, with links to related local and national organisations, resources & support.

Dilation and Curettage - Brief overview of what D&C tests entail, with information on the procedure, related risks, and recovery.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.