A Snapshot of Endometrial Cancer

Incidence and Mortality

Endometrial cancer is both the most common type of uterine cancer and the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, accounting for approximately 6 percent of all cancers in women in the United States. Mortality rates have increased slightly among African Americans since 2000 but have remained relatively stable among other racial/ethnic groups. Although the incidence rate of endometrial cancer is lower in African-American women than in whites, the mortality rate is nearly twice as high.

Several factors are associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer, including obesity, exposure to endogenous or exogenous estrogens, tamoxifen use, and certain inherited conditions. Engaging in physical activity, taking combination oral contraceptives, and having a history of pregnancy and/or breastfeeding are associated with reduced risks. Surgical removal of the uterus or hormone therapy is used to prevent endometrial cancer in women with abnormal overgrowth of the endometrium. There is no standard or routine screening test for endometrial cancer. Standard treatments for endometrial cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. 

It is estimated that approximately $2.6 billion¹ is spent in the United States each year on endometrial cancer treatment.

Trends in NCI Funding for Endometrial Cancer Research

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) investment² in endometrial cancer research increased from $16.6 million in fiscal year (FY) 2007 to $18.0 million in FY 2009 before decreasing to $15.9 million in FY 2011. In addition to this funding, NCI supported $8.2 million in endometrial cancer research in FY 2009 and 2010 using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).³

Examples of NCI Activities Relevant to Endometrial Cancer

• The Division of Epidemiology and Genetics conducts a number of endometrial-cancer-related studies including the Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Case-Control Study in Poland, which explores the association of physical activity and genetic factors with ovarian and endometrial cancer risks and outcomes.
• The Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research Group supports studies on prevention and early detection of endometrial cancer, including a clinical trial exploring whether hormone therapy can prevent endometrial cancer in women who have hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer syndrome, which increases the risk for endometrial cancer.
• The Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium supports molecular epidemiology and genome-wide association studies of endometrial cancer.
• The Mouse Models of Human Cancers Consortium (MMHCC) has developed several mouse models of endometrial cancer that are available to the research community.
• The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) researchers are systematically identifying the major genomic changes involved in more than 20 cancers using state-of-the-art genomic analysis technologies. TCGA researchers hope to identify unique genomic changes that distinguish between endometrial tumor subtypes and stages as well as patterns of genomic changes that relate to tumor recurrence after therapy.
• Two Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in gynecologic cancers focus on treatment and prevention of endometrial cancer, including the development of novel therapeutics (for example, targeted therapies), strategies for chemoprevention, and tools to understand which women are at highest risk of recurrence.

Selected Advances in Endometrial Cancer Research

• Results of a small phase II trial indicate that the targeted drug bevacizumab is well tolerated and active in women with persistent or recurrent endometrial cancer and warrants further investigation. Published May 2011. [PubMed Abstract]
• Researchers discovered that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is a critical driver
  of endometrial cancer. Published June 2011. [PubMed Abstract]
• In a large and ethnically diverse cohort, postmenopausal women who consumed greater amounts of isoflavone-containing foods such as soy had a lower risk of endometrial cancer. Published December 2011. [PubMed Abstract]
• Researchers used genetically engineered mouse models to investigate the role of estrogen signaling in the development of endometrial cancers with a common genetic alteration, which may have implications for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. Published April 2012. [PubMed Abstract]
• See this PubMed list of selected free full-text journal articles on NCI-supported research relevant to endometrial cancer. You can also search PubMed for additional scientific articles.

• ¹ Cancer Trends Progress Report, in 2010 dollars.
• ² The estimated NCI investment is based on funding associated with a broad range of peer-reviewed scientific activities. For additional information on research planning and budgeting at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), see About NIH.
• ³ For more information regarding ARRA funding at NCI, see Recovery Act Funding at NCI.
• ⁴ Scientific Area Codes
• ⁵ NCI Funded Research Portfolio