Uterine Cancer

Cancers of the uterus (womb) usually begin in the cells that make up the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium).

Cancers of the uterus are often called endometrial cancer because this term helps to distinguish them from other cancers that can affect the female reproductive system, such as cervical cancer or ovarian cancer.

The uterus and the endometrium The uterus, commonly known as the womb, is the part of the female reproductive system where the baby is carried during pregnancy.

The uterus is lined by a layer of cells called the endometrium. The cells that make up the endometrium are regularly discarded during a woman’s monthly period, then replaced by new cells.

Types of endometrial cancer There are two main types of endometrial cancer:

Type 1 endometrial cancer is a slow-growing cancer, thought to be linked to the female hormone oestrogen.

Type 2 endometrial cancer is a more aggressive, faster-growing form of cancer that does not appear to have any connection to oestrogen.

Type 1 endometrial cancer is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 80% of cases. Type 2 accounts for around 10% of cases.

As well as types 1 and 2 endometrial cancer, there are several rarer types of cancers of the uterus. For more information about these see Cancer Research UK: types of womb cancer.

How common is endometrial cancer? Endometrial cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer of the female reproductive system. It is the fourth most common cancer that affects women, after breast cancer, lung cancer and cancer of the colon and rectum.

In 2007 in the UK, 7,536 new cases of endometrial cancer were diagnosed. Endometrial cancer is more common in women who have been through the menopause, and most cases of endometrial cancer (93%) were diagnosed in women aged over 50.

Obesity is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer. The number of cases of endometrial cancer is 10 times higher in Europe and north America than in the developing world. This can be explained by the corresponding high rates of obesity in Europe and north America.

Outlook As with most types of cancer, the outlook depends largely on how far the cancer has advanced by the time it is diagnosed and the age at diagnosis. Eighty-five per cent of women diagnosed with early-stage type 1 endometrial cancer will be alive five years after diagnosis (the five-year survival rate).

Endometrial cancer can be treated by surgically removing the womb (hysterectomy). Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also sometimes used after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.