Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S. The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 66,000 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer annually. At MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Carolina, your uterine cancer care will be overseen by a team of gynecologic oncologists who can provide a range of options that include surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapies, and you can rest easy knowing that University Medical Center, the hospital where our gynecologic oncologists operate, has been rated as high-performing for uterine cancer surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Our experts will consider the best course of treatment for you and might suggest you are a good match for a uterine cancer clinical trial. Clinical trials provide the opportunity to have access to the newest therapies that could become the standard of care in the future.

What is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer begins in the uterus — sometimes called the womb. There are different types of uterine cancer. Most cases are endometrial cancer, which is cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus, and you will often see uterine cancer and endometrial cancer referred to interchangeably.

Endometrial cancer is usually caught early, and the overall five-year survival rate is 84%. Much more rare is uterine sarcoma, which is cancer that begins in the muscle or other tissue of the uterus. Survival rates for uterine sarcoma depend on the subtype of sarcoma and on how early it is diagnosed.

Have more questions about uterine cancer? Check out our answers to common questions.

Uterine cancer symptoms

Symptoms of endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma are similar. The average age of diagnosis for each of these cancers is 60. Consult your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Bleeding after menopause
• Pain, pressure or cramping in your pelvis

Uterine cancer treatment

Treatment for uterine cancer depends upon whether the cancer has spread outside the uterus, your health and your age. You and your doctor will discuss which option is best for you.

Our treatment options include:

Surgery

Our team is trained in the use of laparoscopic surgery and the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot that helps to increase surgical precision. These techniques are used for:

• Early pelvic mass evaluations
• Staging and treatment for early endometrial, ovarian and cervical cancer
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic lymph node assessment

Radiation therapy

• Specialized radiation oncology services to target therapy and decrease side effects
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in addition to traditional external beam radiation
• Vaginal brachytherapy for treatment of endometrial cancers

Refer a uterine cancer patient

To refer a uterine cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinator Morgan Krohn (843-985-0580). If you are a referring provider, please submit our GYN Oncology Referral Form.

Nurse navigator support

You and your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each option and decide on the best course of treatment for you. Our gynecologic cancer nurse navigators, Brooke Winkler, MSN, RN, at our Charleston area locations and Antonio Rivera, BSN, RN, OCN, at Tidelands, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Uterine cancer risk factors

Some risk factors for cancer are things that you can control, but other risk factors are out of your control. The greatest overall risk for cancer is age. Over time, mutations or damage to DNA accumulate and can eventually become cancer. You can’t control aging, but you can do things, like exercising, that can provide some protection from cancer. Risk factors for uterine cancer include:

• Age
• Estrogen for hormone replacement therapy, without the use of progesterone
• Obesity
• Diabetes or metabolic syndrome
• Family history of uterine, colon or ovarian cancer or having Lynch syndrome. The Hollings Hereditary Cancer Clinic offers genetic testing to find gene mutations that are
• known to be associated with cancer and provides specialized follow-up care based on personal health history and the genetic results.
• Beginning menstruation before age 12 and menopause after age 50
• Taking tamoxifen
• Endometrial hyperplasia, or a thickening of the lining of the uterus
• Endometrial polyps

Uterine cancer statistics

According to the National Cancer Institute, here are some of the most notable statistics regarding uterine cancer:

• About 3.1% of women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer during their lifetimes.
• Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system.
• Non-Hispanic Black women have the highest rates of uterine cancer, at 29.3 cases per 100,000 women.
• The median age at diagnosis is 63 years old.