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Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when the cells of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus (womb), grow out of control. Normal cells divide, grow and die in an organized manner. However, damage to DNA can cause cells to keep dividing until they form a tumor (a mass of excess tissue) that is malignant. In some cases, the cancer cells become invasive, spreading to tissues and organs outside of the endometrium (metastasis). Scientists are not certain why endometrial cancer cells develop. However, many experts believe that levels of the female hormone estrogen play an important role in the development of this disease.

Nearly three-quarters of all cases of endometrial cancer occur in women 45 to 74 years of age. It is the fourth most common cancer in American women and the most common female reproductive cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In 2007, the ACS estimates there will be nearly 40,000 new cases of endometrial cancer in the United States. Although there was a rise in the number of cases between 1988 and 1997, the incidence of endometrial cancer has been decreasing since 1998. There are more than 500,000 women in the United States who have survived this cancer.

The ACS estimates that approximately 7,400 American women will die from endometrial cancer in 2007. However, survival is greatly improved if the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages. The 5-year survival rate is 96 percent if the cancer has not spread outside the uterus. The rate drops to 23 percent if the cancer has spread from the uterus to distant parts of the body.

Although it is commonly called uterine cancer, patients should be aware that endometrial cancer is merely one type of uterine cancer and that other, less common forms of uterine cancer do exist.