The short answer
Uterine cancer can be of two types: endometrial cancer, which is common, and uterine sarcoma, which is rare. Endometrial cancer forms in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. It can often be cured, and most cases are found at an early stage.
Uterine cancer can be of two types: endometrial cancer (common) and uterine sarcoma (rare).
Endometrial cancer forms in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.
The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ in the pelvis where a fetus grows.
Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called uterine sarcoma.
What you might notice
This section describes the symptoms and history a patient might report to their doctor.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
especially any bleeding after menopause (the most important warning sign).
Bleeding between periods or unusually heavy periods before menopause.
Watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge.
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
Risk history
obesity, excess estrogen exposure, diabetes, and certain inherited syndromes (Lynch).
What tests show
Pelvic exam and transvaginal ultrasound to measure the endometrial lining.
Endometrial biopsy or dilation and curettage (D&C)
the key test for tissue diagnosis.
Hysteroscopy to view inside the uterus when needed.
Imaging (CT/MRI) to assess extent and spread.
Molecular/genetic testing on the tumor to guide therapy and screen for Lynch syndrome.
Interactive anatomy guide
Explore where cancers start and how they are found, on an interactive body map.
Open the anatomy guideWhat it means: stage and outlook
Most are endometrial adenocarcinomas; diagnosis confirmed by biopsy.
Staged surgically with the FIGO/TNM systems.
Tumor grade and molecular subtype influence prognosis and treatment.
Often diagnosed early because of noticeable bleeding.
What happens next: treatment
Surgery (hysterectomy, usually with removal of tubes and ovaries and lymph node evaluation) is the mainstay.
Radiation and/or chemotherapy depending on stage and risk.
Hormone therapy in selected cases.
Advanced/recurrent
targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.
Follow-up exams and monitoring, plus genetic counseling when Lynch syndrome is suspected.
These are simplified, educational summaries showing the kinds of findings clinicians document when evaluating each cancer, based on National Cancer Institute resources. They describe typical diagnostic criteria and workups — not a real patient, and not medical advice. Real clinical notes are individualized. Always rely on your own care team. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact a healthcare professional. For an emergency, such as trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, a seizure, or sudden weakness, call 911. Based on National Cancer Institute educational content. Educational only — not medical advice.
Common questions
What are the two types of uterine cancer?
Uterine cancers can be of two types: endometrial cancer, which is common, and uterine sarcoma, which is rare. Endometrial cancer can often be cured. Uterine sarcoma is cancer of the muscle of the uterus and is different from endometrial cancer.
Where does endometrial cancer start?
Endometrial cancer forms in the tissues of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ in a woman's pelvis, where a fetus grows. Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called uterine sarcoma.
What can increase the risk of endometrial cancer?
Obesity and having metabolic syndrome may increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Other risk factors include unopposed estrogen (estrogen alone), taking tamoxifen, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, a close relative with uterine cancer, and Lynch syndrome.
What are common signs of endometrial cancer?
Irregular vaginal bleeding is the most common presenting sign of endometrial cancer. These signs can also be caused by other conditions, so call your doctor to get checked.
Can endometrial cancer be cured?
Endometrial cancer can often be cured, and most cases are diagnosed at an early stage. The NCI says diagnosis requires a sample of endometrial tissue, such as an endometrial biopsy.
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Sources last checked: 2026-07-21 what this meansLast updated: 2026-10-16Next planned review: 2027-07-21
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Source checked — This page was written with AI assistance and then compared with the sources listed on it, looking for statements those sources do not back up. That check is not a sentence-by-sentence record and can miss errors. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
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