Endometrial cancer is a cancer that has developed
from the endometrium, which is the inner lining
of the uterus (womb).
Nearly all endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas
(cancers of glandular cells). In addition, over 75%
of these are endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Although "endometrial" and "endometrioid" have
similar spelling, they are not identical. Endometrioid
cancers are a specific type of endometrial cancer.
One-third to one-half of endometrioid cancers have
glandular areas as well as areas formed by squamous
cells (the type of cells found on the surface of
the cervix and the skin). If the squamous cells look
benign (noncancerous) under a microscope, and the
glandular cells look cancerous these tumors are called
adenoacanthomas. If the squamous areas and glandular
areas both look malignant (cancerous), these tumors
are called adenosquamous carcinomas. However, both
adenocanthomas and adenosquamous carcinomas are cancerous
tumors.
Papillary serous adenocarcinomas (about 10% of endometrial
cancers) and clear cell adenocarcinoma (less than
5%) are less common types of endometrial cancer which
often grow and spread rapidly. The above cancers
of the endometrium form in the lining layer, or epithelium,
of the uterus. Three less common uterine cancers
that are also called uterine sarcomas can involve
the endometrium. These include (1) stromal sarcomas
which develop in the stroma (supporting connective
tissue) of the endometrium, (2) malignant mixed mesodermal
tumors (MMMT, or carcinosarcomas) which may combine
features of endometrial carcinoma and those of sarcomas,
and (3) leiomyosarcomas which start in the muscular
wall of the uterus.
In the United States, cancer of the endometrium is
the most common cancer of the female reproductive
organs.
Source: American Cancer Society
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