Endometrial Carcinoma

Endometrial Carcinoma

Approximately 2% to 3% of women will develop uterine cancer during their lifetime. Ninety-sevenpercent of all uterine cancers arise from the glands of the endometrium and are known as endometrial carcinomas. The remaining 3% of uterine cancers arise frommesenchymal uterine components and are classified as sarcomas.

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common genital tract malignancy and the fourth most common cancer after breast, bowel, and lung carcinoma. Approximately 39,000 new casesof endometrial carcinoma were diagnosed in 2007, result-ing in over 7400 deaths. Fortunately, patients with this disease usually present early in the disease course with some form of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), particularly postmenopausal bleeding. With early diagnosis, survival rates are excellent.