Endometrial Cancer

Learn more about endometrial cancer and how it’s treated.

Overview

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). It is the most common type of gynaecologic cancer.

Endometrial cancer is often diagnosed early since it causes noticeable symptoms such as bleeding and pelvic pain. It is easier to treat if it is caught early.

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for gynaecologic oncology.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Types

Types of endometrial cancer

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinomas are cancers that start in the glands that line your organs. They can show up in different parts of your body. In endometrial cancer, adenocarcinomas start in the lining of the uterus.

The vast majority of cases of endometrial cancer are endometrioid adenocarcinomas. They grow more slowly than other cancers and usually have a better prognosis.

Other types

There are other types of endometrial cancer that grow and spread more quickly than endometrioid adenocarcinomas. These include:

Carcinosarcoma
Clear cell adenocarcinoma
Serous adenocarcinoma
Undifferentiated carcinoma

Symptoms

Symptoms of endometrial cancer include any of the following:

Bleeding between periods (spotting)
Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Pelvic pain
Pain when urinating
Unexplained weight loss

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have endometrial cancer. These are common symptoms for many conditions.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of endometrial cancer, there are several tests used to make a diagnosis.

Pelvic exam

During a pelvic exam, a physician will examine your vagina and cervix. The physician will also feel your uterus and ovaries to check for growths or tender spots.

Endometrial biopsy

The physician may use a thin tube and a small brush to take a sample of your endometrium. This tissue sample will then be examined under a microscope in a laboratory to see if there are cancer cells present.

Medical imaging

A transvaginal ultrasound is often used to help diagnose endometrial cancer. During the ultrasound, a probe is inserted into your vagina to examine your uterus and ovaries. Other imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray may also be used.

Pap test

Pap tests do not screen for endometrial cancer, but they can sometimes detect an abnormal endometrium and test for cervical cancer.

Cancer staging

If cancer is found, the next step is determining the stage of cancer. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your care team develop your treatment plan. Physicians determines the stage of your cancer based on the size and location of the tumour, whether cancer cells are in the lymph nodes and whether there are cancer cells in other parts of the body.

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, your Cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. We will help you weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

The treatment options for endometrial cancer depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage of your disease.

Surgery is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. In most cases, our gynaecologic surgeons can perform minimally invasive surgery using the latest technology.

In some cases, you may need some combination of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery to treat endometrial cancer.

Clinical trials

You may be able to participate in a research study that helps physicians and researchers find ways to improve treatments and quality of life for patients living with endometrial cancer.