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Cancer of the Uterus

  • Posted: 10/25/2010

About This Booklet

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication No. 10-1562) is about cancer that starts in the uterus. Other names for this disease are uterine cancer and endometrial cancer.

In 2012, more than 47,000 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer in the United States. Most will be over 55 years old.

Learning about medical care for uterine cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your care. This booklet tells about:

  • Diagnosis and staging
  • Treatment and follow-up care
  • Taking part in research studies

This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor—to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.

This booklet is not about uterine sarcoma. Uterine sarcoma is a different type of cancer. Women with sarcoma have different treatment options. For the latest information about uterine sarcoma, visit NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/uterinesarcoma or contact NCI’s Cancer Information Service. Call 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237). Or chat using LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp), NCI’s instant messaging service.

Also, this booklet is not about cancer that begins in the cervix. For the latest information about cervical cancer, visit NCI’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical or contact NCI’s Cancer Information Service. 



Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
cervix (SER-vix)
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.
endometrial cancer (EN-doh-MEE-tree-ul KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a fetus develops). Most endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
sarcoma (sar-KOH-muh)
A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.
uterine cancer (YOO-teh-rin KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a fetus develops). Two types of uterine cancer are endometrial cancer (cancer that begins in cells lining the uterus) and uterine sarcoma (a rare cancer that begins in muscle or other tissues in the uterus).
uterus (YOO-teh-rus)
The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called womb.