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Whether you or someone you love has uterine cancer, you've come to the right place!

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Uterine Cancer Overview

What is the uterus?

The uterus, also called the womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum.

About uterus cancer

Uterine cancer begins in the Uterus, or womb, located in the pelvic area, which is part of the female reproductive system. The uterus is a hollow pear shaped organ that protects and nurtures the growing fetus during pregnancy, and is involved in menstruation and menopause.

What are parts of the uterus?

* cervix - the narrow, lower portion of the uterus
* corpus - the broader, upper part of the uterus
* myometrium - the outer layer of the corpus; the muscle that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus
* endometrium - the inner lining of the uterus

Endometrial Cancer is cancer of the endometrium. This is the most common uterine cancer. The development of Endometrial Cancer may be described in four stages:

* Stage I: The cancer is only in the body of the uterus; it is not in the cervix.
* Stage II: The cancer has spread from the body of the uterus to the cervix.
* Stage III: The cancer has spread outside the uterus, but not outside the pelvis. Lymph nodes in the pelvis may contain cancer cells.
* Stage IV: The cancer has spread into the bladder or rectum, or it has spread beyond the pelvis to other body parts.

Sarcoma of the Uterus begins in the muscle wall of the uterus (called the myometrium) or supporting tissues of the uterus. This form of uterine cancer occurs less frequently than Endometrial Cancer. The development of Uterine Sarcoma may be described in four stages:

* Stage I: Cancer is found only in the main part of the uterus, it is not found in the cervix.
* Stage II: Cancer cells have spread to the cervix.
* Stage III: The cancer has spread outside the Uterus, but remains within the pelvic area.
* Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the pelvic area to the lining of the bladder, the bowel, lymph nodes or other parts of the body beyond the pelvis.

How is it detected?

* Endometrial Biopsy
* Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
* Transvaginal Ultrasound
* Computed Tomography (CT) Scans
* Physical Exam
* Pelvic Exam
* Pap Smear

Symptoms

The symptoms of Uterine Cancer may be associated with less severe medical problems such as benign tumors or urinary tract infections. However, these symptoms should be discussed with your physician. These symptoms include:

* Any abnormal vaginal discharge without visible blood.
* Unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause or bleeding that is not part of the menstrual cycle.
* Pain in the pelvic area or lower abdomen.
* A feeling of fullness in the pelvic area.

Is it curable?

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with Endometrial Cancer is 84%. The prognosis for individual patients depends on the stage, health, and circumstances of each patient. While Uterine Sarcoma has a significantly lower survival rate (stage I 5-year survival rate of 50%), it occurs much less frequently.





Uterine Cancer News

Race influences uterine cancer survival
 24 Sep 2006 at 10:00pm
African American women with uterine cancer have worse survival rates than Caucasian women who received similar treatment even though they had similar prognostic factors, according to a new review of four clinical trials. The review found significant racial disparities in survival and clinical presentation of advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer.
High Dose Folate And B Vitamin Supplements Increase Uterine Cancer Risk
 18 Oct 2009 at 1:00am
Women who take large amounts of folate, vitamin B2, B6 or B12 supplements may be increasing their risk of uterine cancer, according to research presented at the 16th International Meeting of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) in Belgrade, Serbia, 11-14 October 2009.
Use of Clomiphene Citrate to Induce Ovulation Associated with Higher Risk of Uterine Cancer, Study Says
 28 Apr 2005 at 6:04am
The use of the selective estrogen receptor modulator clomiphene citrate to induce ovulation in women with fertility problems is associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of the... click link for more info.
Despite Equal Cancer Care, a Racial Disparity Persists
 25 Sep 2006 at 4:54pm
Black women with uterine cancer are more likely to die than white women, a new report suggests.
Study identifying alteration in gene associated with uterine cancer
 21 May 2007 at 10:00pm
Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute today announced the discovery of previously unrecognized alterations in a gene called FGFR2 in a subset of endometrial cancers, the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. The mutations in FGFR2 result in uncontrolled cell division, a hallmark of cancer.
Survivor mom backs vaccine
 12 Mar 2007 at 12:30am
Wendy Creason never missed an appointment. Mammograms, Pap smears, uterine exams - she did everything she was supposed to do to take care of herself and lower her risks of cancer.
New research findings may enable earlier diagnosis of uterine cancer
 27 Jan 2009 at 10:00pm
(University of Gothenburg) Cancer of the uterus (womb) is the most common gynecological malignancy in the West. Research carried out at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has now identified a gene that may simplify future diagnosis.
Studies Examine Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Fibroids, Cardiovascular Disease
 20 Mar 2007 at 4:00pm
The following highlights recently released journal articles on women's health issues. [click link for full article]
Molecular imaging holds promise for early intervention in common uterine cancer
 30 Sep 2009 at 10:00pm
(Society of Nuclear Medicine) A promising new molecular imaging technique may provide physicians and patients with a noninvasive way to learn more information about a type of cancer of the uterus lining called "endometrial carcinoma" -- one of the most common malignant female tumors.
Combined Molecular Imaging Technique Effectively Evaluates And Predicts Course Of Common Uterine Cancer
 2 Oct 2009 at 5:00am
A promising new molecular imaging technique may provide physicians and patients with a noninvasive way to learn more information about a type of cancer of the uterus lining called "endometrial carcinoma" - one of the most common malignant female tumors. This research was presented in a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Robot Leads Surgeons' Way
 17 Nov 2007 at 11:47pm

Ramona Volkoff knew she needed surgery to treat her uterine cancer, but she dreaded what usually comes with it: being cut open, losing lots of blood, spending days in a hospital and weeks in recovery at home. So she let a four-arm robot do the work.

Black women with uterine cancers more likely to die than white patients
 8 Feb 2009 at 10:00pm
(American Cancer Society) Black women with cancers of the uterus are less likely to survive the disease than white women, and relatively little progress has been made over the past two decades to narrow this racial difference.
First Major Medical Meeting Convening For MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound To Treat Cancer, Stroke, Fibroids, Other Conditions
 26 Aug 2008 at 4:00am
The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is pleased to announce the convening of the first major International Symposium dedicated to the current and future use of magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) -- a breakthrough therapeutic technology for treating a variety of serious medical conditions including cancer, neurological disorders, and uterine fibroids.
GE Healthcare Helping Women Lead Healthier Lives, Showcasing Latest Advancements At ACOG 2008
 7 May 2008 at 4:00pm
GE Healthcare is featuring its innovative technologies that can enable earlier detection, more accurate diagnoses of health conditions, and personalized treatment plans for women who are pregnant or affected by cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, uterine fibroids and other conditions.
Study identifies how tamoxifen stimulates uterine cell growth and cancer
 1 Jul 2009 at 10:00pm
(University of California - San Francisco) University of California -- San Francisco researchers have identified a new "feed-forward" pathway linking estrogen receptors in the membrane of the uterus to a process that increases local estrogen levels and promotes cell growth.