Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer information such as how many people get endometrial cancer, what is endometrial cancer, risk factors of endometrial cancer and screening recommendations.
According to American Cancer Society approximately 40,110 women in the United States will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2008 and approximately 7,470 women will die from endometrial cancer in 2008. Endometrium is the most common cancer found in women's reproductive organs. Endometrial cancer occurs in the inner lining (endometrium) of the womb or uterus. Almost all endometrial cancers are in the glandular cells of the endometrium.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors
Certain risk factors increase a person's chance of getting the disease. This does not mean the person will get the disease nor does it mean people without specific risk factors will not get the disease. It only means there is an increased chance.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors:
Normally the ovaries make both estrogen and progesterone which balance the changes in women's menstrual cycles each month. This keeps the endometrium healthy. A change in the balance towards more estrogen increases a woman's risk for endometrial cancer.
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy or Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- Length of menstruation span - Women with longer spans are exposed to more estrogen hormones and more bleeding. (ie. starting early - before age 12 and ending late - after age 50)
- Never having a baby
- Obesity
- Tamoxifen (small risk - about 1 in 500)
- Ovarian diseases
- Diabetes
- Age
- Family history
- Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Earlier Pelvic Radiation Therapy
Endometrial Cancer Screening Recommendations
There are no special tests to find endometrial cancer early except for a small number of women with a high risk. Women at high risk should talk to their doctor about routine endometrial biopsies. Also at the time of menopause all women should be aware of the risks and signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer. Any vaginal bleeding or spotting should be reported to their doctor.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Unusual bleeding, spotting or other discharge (bloody or white). This is very important because 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have had some type of abnormal vaginal bleeding. If you have gone through menopause be sure to report this to your doctor.
- Pelvic pain and/or mass and weight loss
If endometrial cancer is suspected, the woman should be seen by a gynecologist to test for cancer. The doctor will remove some tissue through either an endometrial biopsy or a D & C (dilation and curettage). The tissue removed is then examined for cancer cells and to grade the cancer if it is found. The cancer is graded between one and three with one being less advanced and three being more advanced. The sooner the cancer is found the better the chances are for successful treatment; so be sure to report any changes to your doctor.
Information gathered: 7-12-05. Revised: 9-9-08.