The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer include abnormal vaginal staining or bleeding, especially after menopause. Pain and weight loss occur late in the disease.

The risk of endometrial cancer increases with age. Although there may be some cases that occur in woman younger than 40, most cases occur in women over the age of 50. Use of estrogen is the major risk factor for endometrial cancer. This can happen in many different ways including:
* estrogen replacement therapy,
* tamoxifen, (a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer) ,
* early age of first menstrual period or late menopause,
* never having children or a history of infertility, or not ovulating.

There is now hormone replacement therapy that combines estrogen and progesterone. This therapy is often used to prevent bone loss in older women. You should discuss its risks and benefits with your doctor. If you are at high risk for developing endometrial cancer, you should have a periodic endometrial tissue sample evaluation.

There are many options for therapy. The choice would depend on the stage of the cancer. Therapy options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. They can be used alone or in combination.

The 5-year survival rate for endometrial cancer is over 80 percent if it is discovered at an early stage. To learn more about endometrial cancer, call the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER or the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345.

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