Uterine and endometrial cancers form in the cells that make up the endometrium — the tissue that lines the inner layer of the uterus.
Uterine and endometrial cancers have similar cell types and behaviors and often respond the same to treatment.
These cancers typically develop after menopause, between the ages of 50 and 60.
There are four types of uterine and endometrial cancers.
Cancer that develops in the glands that line the uterus.
A rare cancer that forms in muscle or other tissues of the uterus.
A type of uterine sarcoma that forms in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus.
Tumors that begin in the cells that produce the sex hormones:
Any woman can develop uterine or endometrial cancer, but certain factors may increase your risk, including:
» Learn more about gynecologic cancer prevention and screening.
Symptoms of uterine and endometrial cancers are the same and may include:
Specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program use a variety of tests to diagnose and screen for uterine and endometrial cancers, including:
If you're diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer, your treatment will depend on the following factors:
Your doctors and other specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program will work with you to consider your options and determine a course of action.
Surgery is often the recommended treatment for uterine and endometrial cancers.
In selective circumstances, we may recommend chemotherapy — before (neo adjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery — to control an aggressive cancer or to reduce the risk of recurrence.
The use of chemotherapy treatment depends on:
We may also use radiation therapy to treat uterine or endometrial cancer.
As a patient of the Gynecologic Cancer Program, you have access to additional treatment options and services, including: