The uterus is where a fetus grows when a woman is pregnant. It is hollow and pear shaped with two main parts:

• The cervix, which is the bottom part and extends into the vagina (the birth canal)
• The body of the uterus is the upper part. It also may be called the corpus. It has two main parts -- the muscle wall, which contracts when a woman has a baby, and the inner lining (endometrium).

When a woman menstruates (has a period), the endometrium becomes thicker. If she does not become pregnant, the new endometrial tissue goes out of the body as menstrual flow (blood). This happens about every month until a woman stops having periods. When a woman stops having periods it is called menopause.

Uterine cancer types

There are three types of uterine cancer.

Endometrial cancer: Almost all uterine cancers start in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The two main types of endometrial cancer are:

• Endometrioid adenocarcinoma: This accounts for most cases of endometrium cancer.
• Uterine carcinosarcoma: The cancer cells look like endometrium cancer and sarcoma.

Uterine sarcomas: These are less common types of uterine cancer and start in the muscle wall of the uterus.

Uterine cancer statistics

Each year, about 63,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with uterine cancer. The average age for diagnosis of uterine cancer is 62. However, the number of younger women with endometrial cancer is going up.

Most uterine cancers develop over a period of years. They may start as less serious problems such as endometrial hyperplasia, which is an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus.

Fortunately, many uterine cancers are found early because of warning signs such as abnormal or postmenopausal bleeding. If uterine cancer is found in the earliest stages, it often can be treated successfully.

Uterine cancer risk factors

Anything that increases your chance of getting uterine cancer is a risk factor. These include:

• Obesity: Being overweight raises your risk two to four times. A higher level of fat tissue increases your level of estrogen.
• Eating a diet high in fat
• Age: More than 95% of uterine cancers occur in women 40 and older.
• Tamoxifen: This breast cancer drug can cause the uterine lining to grow. If you take tamoxifen and have changes in your menstrual period or bleeding after menopause, it is important to let your doctor know.
• Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) without progesterone if you have a uterus. Birth control pills may lower your risk.
• Personal/family history of uterine, ovarian or colon cancer. This may be a sign of Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC). Learn more about hereditary cancer syndromes.
• Ovarian diseases, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia: This precancerous condition may become uterine cancer if not treated. Simple hyperplasia rarely becomes cancer.
• Diabetes
• Never having been pregnant
• Number of menstrual cycles (periods): If you started having periods before 12 years old or went through menopause late, your risk of uterine cancer may be higher.
• Breast or ovarian cancer
• Pelvic radiation to treat other kinds of cancer. The main risk factor for uterine sarcoma is a history of high-dose radiation therapy in the pelvic area.

Not everyone with risk factors gets uterine cancer. However, if you have risk factors, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your doctor.

Learn more about uterine cancer:

• Uterine cancer symptoms
• Uterine cancer diagnosis
• Uterine cancer treatment

Behavioral and lifestyle changes can help prevent uterine cancer. Visit our prevention and screening section to learn how to manage your risk.

Some cases of uterine cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Learn more about the risk to you and your family on our genetic testing page.

Why choose MD Anderson  for uterine cancer treatment?

MD Anderson's Gynecologic Oncology Center focuses an incredible level of expertise and experience on each patient with uterine cancer. From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, your care is personalized and designed especially for you.

Teams of some of the nation's top endometrial cancer experts consider all the options, and then they recommend the most-advanced therapies with the least impact on your body. They have at their fingertips the latest technology and techniques, backed by one of the leading uterine cancer research programs in the United States.

Personalized uterine cancer treatment

Your treatment team, which may include medical, surgical and radiation oncologists; gynecologists; pathologists; and diagnostic radiologists, collaborates and communicates each step of the way. A specially trained staff with experience in caring for women with uterine cancer supports the team.

Surgery often is part of the treatment for uterine cancer. At MD Anderson, our highly specialized surgeons are among the most experienced and skillful in the country. In many cases, they are able to perform minimally invasive surgeries and use robotic surgery for uterine cancer. These procedures may help lessen the time it takes you to heal and the time you need to spend in the hospital.

Specialized care, research

At MD Anderson, we go beyond treating disease. We are dedicated to helping women who have been treated for endometrial cancer get back to a healthy life. For instance, we offer special support groups just for women with uterine cancer.

In addition, we are working toward a better understanding of uterine cancer on a molecular basis. Our Gynecologic Genetics Clinic provides genetic counseling for women at risk of inherited cancer syndromes.

MD Anderson is proud to be one of the only cancer centers in the nation to house a $10 million federally funded uterine cancer SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) program. We're leading the way in uterine cancer research, which means we offer a variety of clinical trials of new therapies.