It's the most common pelvic cancer in women, usually occurring after menopause between the ages of 50 and 70. The precise cause of uterine cancer is still unknown. However, excess estrogen replacement after menopause may play a role in its development. Since cancer of the uterus is generally slow growing and localized, it can have a high rate of cure if diagnosed early. More than 80 percent of patients remain cancer-free for five or more years if treated promptly.
Early detection is difficult.
Pap smears detect as few as 50 percent of cases and it's not noticeable during a pelvic exam. The first clue is vaginal bleeding. An endometrial biopsy can be performed. This is an office procedure where the doctor removes a small piece of tissue from the uterine lining for analysis. For a more accurate diagnosis, a dilation and curettage can be performed.