Uterine cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the uterus (womb)—the organ where a baby grows during pregnancy. In most cases, the cancer starts in the inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, which is why it is often referred to as endometrial cancer.

While uterine cancer can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed after menopause. When detected early, it is often highly treatable. At OncoClinic, we support you with accurate diagnostics, clear explanations, and a personalized plan designed around your health needs and goals.

Signs and symptoms

• Any vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavier or unusual bleeding during periods
• Other symptoms can include pelvic or lower abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and signs of anemia such as weakness or shortness of breath

Any abnormal bleeding should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.

Risk factors

• Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity and obesity are associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer
• Estrogen exposure: Long-term exposure to estrogen, especially estrogen without progesterone, increases the risk
• Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Conditions that affect regular ovulation, such as PCOS, can raise the risk
• Endometrial hyperplasia: Thickening of the uterine lining increases the risk
• Early menstruation and late menopause: Starting menstrual periods at a young age or going through menopause later in life increases the risk
• Pregnancy history: Never having been pregnant increases the risk
• Family history: A family history of uterine cancer or colorectal cancer increases risk
• Inherited conditions: Inherited conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, increase the risk
• Estrogen-only hormone therapy: Using estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause increases the risk
• Tamoxifen use: Using tamoxifen (a medication sometimes used to treat breast cancer) increases the risk

Screening

The most important early warning sign is abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially any bleeding after menopause. Because symptoms often appear early, prompt medical evaluation is the best way to detect uterine cancer.

Anyone who experiences abnormal vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge should seek medical care, regardless of age.

Screening recommendation

There is no routine screening test for uterine cancer for people without symptoms. Screening is not recommended for the general population because most uterine cancers are found early due to noticeable symptoms.

Some people at higher risk, such as those with Lynch syndrome or a strong family history of uterine or colorectal cancer, may need closer monitoring and should discuss personalized follow-up with their healthcare provider.

Diagnosis

Uterine cancer is usually diagnosed after a person reports symptoms, most often abnormal vaginal bleeding. To find the cause, a doctor may perform tests such as a pelvic exam and ultrasound, followed by an endometrial biopsy, in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the lining of the uterus and examined for cancer cells. A biopsy is the main test used to confirm the diagnosis.

In most cases, a hysteroscopy is performed as part of the diagnostic process. During this procedure, a thin camera is gently inserted into the uterus through the cervix, allowing the doctor to directly examine the uterine lining and accurately guide tissue sampling. Hysteroscopy improves diagnostic accuracy by identifying abnormal areas that may not be visible on imaging alone.

Staging

If cancer is found, additional tests such as imaging scans may be done to see how far the cancer has spread. This process is called staging. Uterine cancer is staged from Stage I to Stage IV, using information from imaging exams such as CT scans, MRI, and PET/CT.

• CT scan: helps doctors look at the pelvis, abdomen, chest, and nearby lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread
• MRI: provides detailed images of the uterus and surrounding tissues and is especially useful for evaluating how deeply the cancer has grown into the uterine wall
• PET/CT scan: may be used in selected cases to look for cancer spread to lymph nodes or distant organs by detecting areas of increased activity in the body

Uterine cancer staging

• Stage I – Cancer limited to the uterus: Cancer is found only in the uterus and has not spread outside this organ
• Stage II – Cancer spread to the cervix: Cancer has grown from the uterus into the cervix but has not reached tissues outside the uterus
• Stage III – Cancer spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes: Cancer has spread beyond the uterus to nearby tissues, the ovaries, or lymph nodes, but not to distant organs
• Stage IV – Cancer spread to distant organs: Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the bladder, bowel, lungs, or other organs

In general, earlier stages indicate the cancer is confined to the uterus, while advanced stages indicate it has spread — a distinction that helps doctors choose the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment and procedures

At OncoClinic, treatment is carefully tailored to each patient based on the stage of the cancer, tumor type, overall health, and personal circumstances. We provide comprehensive outpatient oncology care and work closely with trusted hospital partners for treatments that require hospitalization. Our treatment options may include:

Surgery: Surgery is the main treatment for most uterine cancers and is often the first step in care. When surgery is recommended, it is performed at one of our partner hospitals, with coordination and follow-up provided by the OncoClinic team.

Systemic therapies: Systemic treatments use medications that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer throughout the body. These may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and other drug treatments, depending on the cancer type and stage. Systemic therapies are commonly used for advanced disease, higher-risk cancers, or when surgery is not an option, and are usually managed on an outpatient basis at OncoClinic or in coordination with partner hospitals when needed.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. It may be given externally or internally and can be used after surgery or, in some cases, as the main treatment. Radiation treatments are delivered in specialized centers, with care coordinated by our clinic.

Supportive and follow-up care: Supportive care focuses on symptom control, recovery, and long-term monitoring to support quality of life during and after treatment. This care is provided at OncoClinic, with close coordination across all stages of the treatment journey.

References

Endometrial cancer overview
American Cancer Society, 2026

Endometrial cancer risk factors
American Cancer Society, 2026

Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer
American Cancer Society, 2026

Endometrial cancer – patient version
National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2026

Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ®) – patient version
National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2026

Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ®)
National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2026

NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: uterine neoplasms
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), 2026

ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma
Concin N et al. – International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2021

Endometrial cancer statistics
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, 2026

Cancer progress and priorities: uterine cancer
Felix AS, Brinton LA – Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2018

Endometrial cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines
Colombo N et al. – Annals of Oncology, 2016

Endometrial cancer
Lu KH, Broaddus RR – New England Journal of Medicine, 2020