Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus.
The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ where fetal development occurs.
Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus.
Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer.
Although cervical cancer (cervical carcinoma) and uterine cancer (endometrial carcinoma) develop only a few centimeters apart, they are two completely different types of cancer with different courses, symptoms and treatments.
The most common type of endometrial cancer (type 1) grows slowly. It most often is found only inside the uterus.
Type 2 is less common. It grows more rapidly and tends to spread to other parts of the body.
Endometrial cancer is highly curable when found early.
Uterine carcinosarcoma is a very rare type of uterine cancer, with characteristics of both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.
It is also known as a malignant mixed mesodermal tumor.