Cancer of the uterus is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2006, over 38,500 women in the United States found out they had uterine cancer.
The uterus, which is also known as the womb, is the part of the reproductive system where a baby grows and develops when a woman is pregnant. The uterus is a pear shaped organ in a woman’s pelvic area between the hip bones and below the stomach. The bottom part of the uterus is called the cervix. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina, which is also known as the birth canal.
Cancer forms when cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other areas of the body. Cancer in the uterus is called uterine cancer.
Uterine cancer can take several different forms:
• Endometrial cancer – This cancer forms in the lining of uterus, which is called the endometrium.
• Uterine sarcoma - This cancer forms in the connective tissue (stroma) and muscle cells in the walls of the uterus. Uterine sarcoma is much less common than endometrial cancer.
Risk factors for uterine cancer
No one knows exactly what causes uterine cancer to form. If you have any of these risk factors, you may be at higher risk of developing uterine cancer:
• Age – This type of cancer occurs most often in women over age 50.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Women may chose to take hormones to reduce the symptoms of menopause, to prevent osteoporosis, or to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Taking estrogen without also taking progesterone can cause an increased risk of uterine cancer.
• Endometrial hyperplasia –This condition is marked by an increase in the number of cells in the lining of the uterus. It can cause heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after menopause. Women with endometrial hyperplasia are at increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
• Obesity – The body makes and stores estrogen in fatty tissue. Women who are overweight have more fatty tissue and may have higher levels of estrogen, which puts them at increased risk for cancer of the uterus. Women with diabetes and high blood pressure, which are often associated with obesity, are also at increased risk.
• Tamoxifen – This drug which is used to treat or prevent breast cancer can also increase the risk of uterine cancer. Talk to your doctor to see if the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the risks in your own situation.
• Race – White women are at higher risk than African-American women to develop this type of cancer.
• Family cancer history – Women who have had other cancers or whose family members have had cancer of the colon, uterus, or ovaries may be at increased risk for uterine cancer.
• Number of fertile years – Women who are exposed to estrogen for a longer time are at higher risk, which includes those who started menstruating at a young age or who begin menopause at an older age.
Uterine cancer symptoms
Uterine cancer is most often diagnosed in women who are going through menopause. Uterine cancer may cause the following symptoms:
• Unusual bleeding or discharge from the vagina.
• Pain or difficulty passing urine.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Pain in the pelvis area, which is located between the hip bones and below the stomach.
There is no reliable test to check for uterine cancer. The Pap test, which is part of a standard pelvic exam, tests for cervical cancer, but not for uterine cancer. See your doctor if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding or any other symptoms of uterine cancer.
Further reading: Uterine Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment
Sources:
National Cancer Institute
Centers for Disease Control
CDC: Uterine Cancer Guide
American Cancer Society