Monday, January 19, 2026 – Closed
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Closed
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Uterine cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from a woman’s uterus, the organ in which a fetus develops during pregnancy. According to the American Cancer Society, there are just over 61,000 new cases of uterine cancer diagnosed each year in the United States. Of these cases, over 92 percent are endometrial cancer, or cancer that originates from the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus.
Uterine cancers are broadly divided into two distinct types.
Endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the innermost layer of the uterus and it plays an important role during a woman’s reproductive years in maintaining an environment that can support a fertilized egg and pregnancy. If a woman does not get pregnant during ovulation, a layer of the endometrium is shed in the process of menstruation.
Most endometrial cancers occur after menopause, when a woman is no longer experiencing menstruation. It is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 60 and 70 and is rarely seen in women under the age of 45.
Uterine sarcomas account for a small minority of uterine cancer diagnoses. This type of cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from the muscles and connective tissues of the uterus.
Uterine cancers are typically classified separately from cervical cancer, although the cervix is technically the lowermost portion of the uterus.
Symptoms of uterine cancer may include the following:
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate a woman has uterine cancer. They can often be signs of a less serious, noncancerous condition. However, a woman experiencing any of the symptoms listed should promptly discuss them with her doctor.
A diagnosis of endometrial cancer is most commonly made by a gynecologist. The first step in checking for the presence of endometrial cancer may be an ultrasound exam. The doctor might use other imaging techniques such as hysteroscopy, in which a small lighted tube is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. If cancer is suspected during the exam, a small tissue sample may be collected for biopsy.
Once a tissue sample is collected it is sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope. If cancerous cells are present in the endometrial tissue, the cancer will then be assigned a grade. Lower grade tumors are usually less aggressive and more treatable than higher grade tumors. Endometrial cancers are classified into three grades.
In addition to grading, endometrial cancer is also described in stages. Stages indicate how far the cancer has spread on and beyond the uterus. The stages of endometrial cancer are:
Uterine sarcomas are sometimes identified during surgery to remove what appear to be benign uterine fibroids. But it is more commonly diagnosed after it has started to cause symptoms.
Sometimes uterine sarcomas are more difficult to detect than endometrial cancer because they originate within the muscle and connective tissues of the uterus. A doctor may use a series of advanced imaging techniques to effectively view and biopsy the uterine tissue if uterine sarcoma is suspected.
The exact causes of uterine cancer are unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified. Many cases are linked with hormonal imbalances relating to estrogen and progesterone, but precisely how the imbalance leads to cancer is still a topic of active research.
The following are known risk factors for the development of uterine cancer:
The most common treatment method for uterine cancer is surgery. During surgery the doctor will locate and remove the tumors on the uterus and surrounding areas. Often this involves a hysterectomy (the total surgical removal of the uterus). Surgery may also play an important role in allowing the doctor to see how far the cancer has spread, which is an aspect of staging.
Depending on the grade and stage of the cancer, the doctor may utilize chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormone therapy in conjunction with surgery. Certain cancers may also qualify for experimental treatment methods in clinical trials.
Uterine cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from a woman’s uterus, the organ in which a fetus develops during pregnancy. According to the American Cancer Society, there are just over 61,000 new cases of uterine cancer diagnosed each year in the United States. Of these cases, over 92 percent are endometrial cancer, or cancer that originates from the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus.
Uterine cancers are broadly divided into two distinct types.
Endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the innermost layer of the uterus and it plays an important role during a woman’s reproductive years in maintaining an environment that can support a fertilized egg and pregnancy. If a woman does not get pregnant during ovulation, a layer of the endometrium is shed in the process of menstruation.
Most endometrial cancers occur after menopause, when a woman is no longer experiencing menstruation. It is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 60 and 70 and is rarely seen in women under the age of 45.
Uterine sarcomas account for a small minority of uterine cancer diagnoses. This type of cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells originating from the muscles and connective tissues of the uterus.
Uterine cancers are typically classified separately from cervical cancer, although the cervix is technically the lowermost portion of the uterus.
Symptoms of uterine cancer may include the following:
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate a woman has uterine cancer. They can often be signs of a less serious, noncancerous condition. However, a woman experiencing any of the symptoms listed should promptly discuss them with her doctor.
A diagnosis of endometrial cancer is most commonly made by a gynecologist. The first step in checking for the presence of endometrial cancer may be an ultrasound exam. The doctor might use other imaging techniques such as hysteroscopy, in which a small lighted tube is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. If cancer is suspected during the exam, a small tissue sample may be collected for biopsy.
Once a tissue sample is collected it is sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope. If cancerous cells are present in the endometrial tissue, the cancer will then be assigned a grade. Lower grade tumors are usually less aggressive and more treatable than higher grade tumors. Endometrial cancers are classified into three grades.
In addition to grading, endometrial cancer is also described in stages. Stages indicate how far the cancer has spread on and beyond the uterus. The stages of endometrial cancer are:
Uterine sarcomas are sometimes identified during surgery to remove what appear to be benign uterine fibroids. But it is more commonly diagnosed after it has started to cause symptoms.
Sometimes uterine sarcomas are more difficult to detect than endometrial cancer because they originate within the muscle and connective tissues of the uterus. A doctor may use a series of advanced imaging techniques to effectively view and biopsy the uterine tissue if uterine sarcoma is suspected.
The exact causes of uterine cancer are unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified. Many cases are linked with hormonal imbalances relating to estrogen and progesterone, but precisely how the imbalance leads to cancer is still a topic of active research.
The following are known risk factors for the development of uterine cancer:
The most common treatment method for uterine cancer is surgery. During surgery the doctor will locate and remove the tumors on the uterus and surrounding areas. Often this involves a hysterectomy (the total surgical removal of the uterus). Surgery may also play an important role in allowing the doctor to see how far the cancer has spread, which is an aspect of staging.
Depending on the grade and stage of the cancer, the doctor may utilize chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormone therapy in conjunction with surgery. Certain cancers may also qualify for experimental treatment methods in clinical trials.