It is the malignant alteration of the cells that line the uterus (endometrium). It is the most frequent type of uterine cancer.
It affects adult women (incidence: 15-25/100,000), generally during menopause.
It has been associated with certain risk factors such as obesity, high estrogen concentrations, polycystic ovary syndrome and patients who have never been pregnant (nulliparous).
The main symptom is genital bleeding when menstruation has already been withdrawn, bleeding between periods or very heavy menstrual bleeding. It is sometimes accompanied by lower abdominal pain.
Diagnosis is made by clinical examination and gynecological inspection. The suspected diagnosis is confirmed by cytology, gynecologic ultrasound and endometrial biopsy.
Treatment is surgical, being a curable disease if removed in time. Subsequent chemotherapy treatment may be necessary, depending on the extent of the tumor.
- Lee-may Chen. Endometrial carcinoma: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate, Junio 2016
- Steven C Plaxe. Overview of endometrial carcinoma. UpToDate, Junio 2016
- Steven C Plaxe. Approach to adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer. UpToDate, Junio 2016
- Corpus Uteri. In: American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, 7th, Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al (Eds), Springer, New York 2010. p.403.
- Michael V. Seiden. Tumores ginecológicos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 117
