Uterine Cancer Overview
Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. When discovered
early, surgery alone may be adequate therapy. The most common type of
uterine cancer is endometrial cancer, when cells in the endometrial lining
grow uncontrollably, potentially invading the muscle of the uterus and
spreading to areas outside of the uterus such as the ovaries, lymph nodes
and abdomen.
A less common form of uterine cancer—uterine sarcoma—causes
malignant cells to form in the muscle of the uterus or network of support
cells in the uterine lining. Making up only about 5 percent of uterine
cancers, uterine sarcomas are generally more aggressive and more difficult to cure.