Endometrial Cancer

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Overview

Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer (i.e., cancer that originates in female reproductive system). It develops in the body of the uterus, or womb, which is a hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. The wall of the uterus is comprised of an inner lining (called the endometrium) and an outer layer of muscle tissue (called the myometrium).

Endometrial cancer, which originates in the inner lining of the uterus, accounts for about 90% of uterine cancers. Uterine sarcoma originates in the myometrium and accounts for less than 10% of cases.

Types
Adenocarcinoma, which originates in surface cells of the endometrium, accounts for approximately 90% of cases of endometrial cancer. Adenocarcinomas are more common during perimenopause (i.e., transitional years preceding and following actual menopause) and usually are associated with an early onset of symptoms.

Other types of endometrial cancer include papillary serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. These types usually develop in postmenopausal women and are more likely to metastasize (spread) and recur.

Types of uterine sarcoma include carcinosarcoma (most common type), leiomyosarcoma (develop in the muscular tissue of the myometrium), and endometrial stromal sarcoma (develop in supporting connective tissue).

Incidence and Prevalence
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. In the United States, approximately 37,000 cases are diagnosed and about 6000 women die from the disease each year.

Incidence of uterine cancer increases after menopause and approximately 75% of cases are diagnosed in postmenopausal patients. The average age at diagnosis is about 60 years. In the United States, endometrial cancer is more common in Caucasian women and uterine sarcoma is more common in African American women.

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