It is a malignant alteration of the cells of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is the most common type of uterine cancer.
It affects adult females (incidence rate: 15–25/100.000), generally during menopause.
It also has been linked to some risk factors such as obesity, high oestrogen concentrations, polycystic ovary syndrome and patients who have never been pregnant (nulliparous).
The main symptom is genital bleeding after the menstruations are over, bleeding in between periods or very heavy period bleeding. Sometimes, it appears together with pain in the lower abdomen.
The diagnosis is reached through clinical questioning and a gynaecological examination. It is confirmed with a cytology, an ultrasound and an endometrial biopsy.
Treatment is surgical, becoming a curable disease if the tumour is removed in time. It may subsequently be necessary to perform treatment with chemotherapy, depending on the tumour's extension.
- 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
