Endometrial cancer

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D and C	Endometrial biopsy	Endometrial cancer	Female reproductive anatomy
Hysterectomy	Pelvic laparoscopy	Uterus

Endometrial/uterine adenocarcinoma; Uterine cancer; Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium/uterus; Cancer - uterine; Cancer - endometrial; Uterine corpus cancer

• Abnormal uterine bleeding , abnormal menstrual periods
  • Bleeding between normal periods before menopause
  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
• Extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding after age 40
• Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping
• Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause

A pelvic examination is frequently normal, especially in the early stages of disease. Changes in the size, shape, or consistency of the uterus or its surrounding, supporting structures may be seen when the disease is more advanced.

Tests used to diagnose endometrial cancer include:

• Pap smear
• Endometrial aspiration or biopsy
• Dilation and curettage (D and C)

If cancer is found, other tests may be done to determine how widespread the cancer is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging.

Stages of endometrial cancer:

1. The cancer is only in the uterus.
2. The cancer is in the uterus and cervix.
3. The cancer has spread outside of the uterus but not beyond the true pelvis area. Cancer may involve the lymph nodes in the pelvis or near the aorta (the major artery in the abdomen).
4. The cancer has spread to the inner surface of the bowel, bladder, abdomen, or other organs.

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.