If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine cancer, we understand it can be a challenging and emotional experience. At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we are here to lift you up, provide guidance and help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. Together, we’ll find the right treatment for your cancer — and for you.
We will create a personalized care plan that helps address your individual needs. Your care plan will include advanced treatments and services, such as nutritional advice, physical rehabilitation and pain management, to address your whole journey as a patient.
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute’s gynecologic cancer specialists combine medical expertise and compassionate care. Our world-class specialists have access to state-of-the-art technologies and weekly tumor board meetings. There, our gynecologic experts can collaborate on treatment plans to give you the best path forward.
What is uterine cancer?
Uterine cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the uterus. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows during pregnancy. These cancerous cells typically begin in the lining of the uterus known as the endometrium. Cancer that forms in the muscle of the uterus is called uterine sarcoma.
In the United States, uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It usually affects women after menopause.
Symptoms of uterine cancer include:
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for uterine cancer that hasn’t spread is 95 percent. If the cancer spreads to nearby organs and lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 70 percent.
Types of Uterine Cancer
The most common type of uterine cancer is endometrioid adenocarcinoma. These cancers form in the glandular cells of the uterine lining.
Other forms of uterine cancer include:
- Serous adenocarcinoma — This type is more likely to spread to other parts of the body and lymph nodes.
- Adenosquamous carcinoma — This rare type of uterine cancer has features of both adenocarcinomas and carcinomas of the squamous cells, which line the outside of the uterus.
- Carcinomasarcoma — This rare form of uterine cancer has elements of sarcoma and adenocarcinoma, and is more likely to spread.
Uterine Cancer Risk Factors
The most common risk factor for uterine cancer is obesity. Women who have high levels of estrogen (usually from taking hormone replacement therapy) also have a high risk of developing the disease.
Other risk factors may include:
- Being between the ages of 50 and 60
- Having metabolic syndrome
- Starting your period before age 12
- Having a history of infertility
- Never giving birth
- Entering menopause after age 52
- Having high blood pressure
- Having diabetes
- Having a family history of uterine cancer
- Inheriting a genetic syndrome that may increase your risk for cancer, such as Lynch syndrome or mutations in the BRCA gene
- Having an ovarian disease, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Having endometrial hyperplasia
- Taking the drug tamoxifen after menopause
Preventing Uterine Cancer
There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer. However, you can reduce your risk for uterine cancer by:
- Not using tobacco — speak with your physician if you need help quitting.
- Exercising regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy — talk with your physician or a nutritionist about what you should include in a healthy diet.
- Using oral contraceptives.
- Keeping a healthy weight — ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.
- Seeing your physician or gynecologist for regular check-ups.
- Asking your physician about genetic testing and screening recommendations if you have an inherited disease that increases your risk for uterine cancer.
Screening for Uterine Cancer
While there is no standard screening for uterine cancer, you and your physician can discuss if you should get screened.
Screening might be right for you if you have a high risk of developing uterine cancer due to genetic risk factors. At Miami Cancer Institute, our clinical genetics service can help you understand your personal cancer risk.
