Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the uterus, a pear-shaped organ located in a woman’s pelvis. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 69,000 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in 2025, making it the most common gynecological cancer.
There are two origins in uterine cancer:
- Epithelial origin cancer: This develops from the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This is also called endometrial cancer.
- Mesenchymal origin cancer: This develops from the muscle or connective tissue of the uterus, this is also called uterine sarcoma.
Endometrial cancer, the cancer of the uterine lining, is by far more common, accounting for up to 92 percent of all cases of uterine cancer. The rarer uterine sarcoma is often more aggressive and difficult to treat.
Many cases of uterine cancer are detected in an early stage, allowing for treatment before the cancer has spread. Because of that, the overall five-year survival rate for endometrioid adenocarcinoma (the most common type of endometrial cancer in women) reached up to 95 percent in stage I disease. Overall, the survival will be determined where the cancer originated and what cell type of cancer you have.
All women are at risk of developing uterine cancer for as long as they have a uterus. Certain factors can increase a woman’s risk, including:
- Being of older age
- Being obese
- Having a family history of uterine, colon, or ovarian cancer
- Having certain genetic mutations
- Having had difficulty conceiving
- Having PCOS or diabetes
- Taking estrogen as a standalone medication, without progesterone
- Taking tamoxifen, a medication used to prevent or treat breast cancer
In addition to these risk factors for developing the disease, it’s important to note that ethnicity also plays role in cancer development. Black women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with advanced uterine cancer, while both Black and Hispanic women are more likely to develop aggressive tumors.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, particularly after menopause, is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Other uterine carcinoma symptoms include:
- Changes in bathroom habits: difficulty urinating
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain and cramping
- Painful intercourse
- Abdominal bloating
- Enlarging uterus at menopaused age.
What’s considered “abnormal” when it comes to bleeding? Anything that’s not normal for you. That may include vaginal bleeding between periods, vaginal bleeding after menopause, or prolonged, heavy, or frequent vaginal bleeding.
Because you should not experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, it’s especially important to let your OB/GYN know if you experience that symptom.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of uterine cancer, many different tools may be used to help your provider make a diagnosis:
- Pelvic examination
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Endometrial biopsy to take a sample of the tissue in the uterine lining
- Dilatation and curettage (a D&C) to remove tissue samples from the uterus
- Hysteroscopy of the uterus
- Imaging, such as CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans
If you’re diagnosed with uterine cancer, additional testing, such as biomarker testing of the tumor, may be used to determine what type of treatment will work best.
Uterine Cancer Treatment at NGMC
There are multiple options for treating uterine cancer, and most patients receive a combination of therapies to eradicate the cancer and prevent recurrence.
Your specific treatment plan will depend on the type of uterine cancer you have, as well as its stage. Your care team will also consider your needs, including whether you’d still like to have children in the future.
Surgery for uterine cancer
Surgery is the most common treatment for both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. The type of surgery will depend on the type of uterine cancer being treated.
There are several surgical procedures used to treat endometrial cancer:
- Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and the cervix.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes
- Lymph node biopsy is the removal of nearby lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. We perform sentinel lymph nodes biopsy at NGMC, that minimizes any potential complication and has high accuracy detecting cancer spread in lymph nodes.
In many cases, patients have access to minimally invasive surgical procedures, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which offer a quicker recovery, reduced pain, and less blood loss.
Radiation therapy for uterine cancer
Radiation therapy may be used in combination with surgery to shrink the size of a uterine tumor before surgery or to remove any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
During external radiation therapy, high-energy X-rays are targeted toward pelvis to kill off cancer cells. During internal radiation therapy, a probe for radioactive substances, are placed into or near the cancer.
Radiation therapy utilize mostly in endometrial cancer rather than sarcoma of the uterus.
Chemotherapy for uterine cancer
Chemotherapy is often used to treat advanced uterine cancer or cancer that has recurred. This type of treatment uses powerful drugs to kill off cancer cells. These drugs may be taken by mouth or injected into the body intravenously.
Hormone therapy for uterine cancer
Hormone therapy may be also used to treat both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Because certain hormones can cause cancer to grow, this type of treatment either removes hormones or blocks them, which stops cancer cells from growing.
Targeted therapy for uterine cancer
Targeted therapy is a treatment option for uterine cancer. This type of treatment works similarly to chemotherapy by using medications to kill off cancer cells but does so via different mechanism. Targeted therapy uses drugs specifically targeted against cancer cells, which eradicates those harmful cells while minimizing the effects on normal cells.
Uterine Cancer Research
Uterine cancer patients at NGMC have access to clinical trials when appropriate. We’re committed to helping innovate new treatments for uterine cancer, and patients benefit from early access to those therapies. Learn more about the current clinical trials we are participating in.
Cancer Rehabilitation
Those who undergo uterine cancer treatment may experience a number of uncomfortable side effects, including pelvic floor dysfunction. We offer our patients access to specialized rehabilitation services designed to help overcome those effects and maintain quality of life.
Patient Navigation
Overwhelmed by a uterine cancer diagnosis and unsure where to even begin? Our team of nurse navigators is here to help guide you through every stage of your care. Reach out to our patient navigation program today to connect with a navigator.
Choose NGMC for Uterine Cancer Care
Uterine cancer affects thousands of women in Georgia each year, but it’s very treatable, especially in its earliest stages. If you’ve been diagnosed with some type of uterine cancer, you can rely on the team of experts at NGMC to guide your care. We will work with you to determine a treatment strategy that’s personalized for your needs, using advanced treatment options to provide the best possible outcomes.
For more information about cancer care at NGMC or to learn about support groups, please call 770-219-8815.