Action | Focus on Uterine Cancers
This page is a shortcut to all our information on uterine cancer. Here survivors share their experience living with uterine cancers and sarcomas. Don't forget to check other areas of the site, too -- we can learn a lot from survivors of other gyn cancers!
When the term "uterine cancer" is used, it is usually understood to mean "endometrial cancer," as 95% of cancers of the uterus originate in the endometrial lining. The remaining 5% cancers of the uterus are usually "sarcomas" originating either in the myometrium muscle of the uterine wall (leiomyosarcoma) or the stroma tissue just below the endometrial lining (endometrial stromal sarcoma). We have tried to include stories of both endometrial cancer and some of the rarer sarcomas, as well.
Stories
of uterine cancer survivors
Endometrial cancer
- Charlotte, Alaska, USA, endometrial cancer, stage 3c
- Chris M., Michigan, USA, endometrial cancer, stage 3c
- Fay S., Victoria, Australia, endometrial cancer, stage 1a
- Georgia, Massachusetts, USA, endometrial adenocarcinoma, stage 3C
- Joyce W., Washington, USA, recurrent endometrial cancer, stage 4
- Judy M., California, USA, clear cell endometrial cancer, stage 2A
- Margaret R., Iowa, USA
- Mary O., Illinois, USA, endometrial cancer, stage 1b, grade 2
- Nichole B., Texas, USA, uterine cancer, stage 3c
- Patricia K., Manitoba, Canada, endometrial cancer, stage 3a
- Sheila P., Alberta, Canada, endometrial cancer, stage 1a, grade 1
- Sophia C., Maryland, USA, endometrial cancer , stage 1 (w/ovarian cancer- duel primary)
- Sue D., Pennsylvania, USA, endometrial adenocarcinoma, stage 1A
- Teresa S., Pennsylvania, USA, endometrial cancer, stage 1, grade 1
Uterine (endometrial) papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC)
Uterine sarcoma
- Kimberly, Illinois, USA, uterine stromal sarcoma
- Mary Jo (Joey) T., Kansas, USA, recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma
- Rosalie P., New Jersey, USA, recurrent leimyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma
- Susan L., Michigan, USA, endometrial stromal sarcoma, stage 1c
Tell your uterine cancer story! You can help many women feel less alone! Send your story or questions about writing your story to our Story Editor.
Frequently
Asked Questions about uterine cancer
Endometrial and Uterine Cancer
- What are the different uterine cancers?
- What are the causes and risk factors for endometrial cancer and uterine sarcomas?
- How is uterine cancer diagnosed? What are its symptoms?
- How is uterine cancer staged?
Treating uterine cancer
Surgery - Hysterectomy, oophorectomy
- What are the different types of hysterectomies, and when are they used? How is the recovery time different for each?
- Why do some women go home from the hospital after a hysterectomy with a catheter?
- Is a horizontal or a vertical incision better for an abdominal hysterectomy?
- Is a vaginal hysterectomy an option for cancer patients?
- What are abdominal "washings" done during surgery?
Preparing for surgery:
- What questions should I ask my doctor about having a hysterectomy for cancer?
- What can I do to make my hospital stay more comfortable?
- Why is bowel preparation necessary for abdominal surgery
Radiation
- How is radiation used to treat gynecologic cancers? What are the different types? When are each used?
- What questions should I ask my radiation oncologist?
- What are the side effects of radiation treatment?
- Will I be able to continue working during radiation treatments?
- Will I have problems with sex after radiation?
Chemotherapy
Follow up Care after uterine cancer treatment
Life after Uterine Cancer
Answers from the Pros about uterine cancers
- What is the difference between leiomyosarcoma and uterine stromal sarcoma? Is there a difference between uterine and endometrial cancer? William M. Rich, MD
- What is low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma? How is it treated? What is the risk of recurrence for disease confined to the uterus? Fredric V. Price, MD
- What is a regenerating fibroid and can they be cancerous? William M. Rich, MD
- Does thickening of the uterine lining always mean cancer? If not, what other conditions can cause this? Dwight Heron, MD
- What kinds of complementary therapies are available to women with gynecologic cancers? Judy Knapp, PhD, MSW
- Removal of the uterus, tubes and ovaries for treatment of gynecologic cancers can have a negative impact on the sexual function of the survivor, as well as her sexual relationship with a partner. What are some ways to deal with this problem? Fredric V. Price, MD, Judy Knapp, PhD, MSW
Resources for learning more about uterine cancers
- EOTP's links to uterine cancer sites
- Information on diagnosis and treatment for uterine and other gyn cancers
Getting active about uterine cancer
- Things you can do to raise awareness of uterine cancer and reduce your risk
Talk about uterine cancer
- Join the EyesonthePrize email discussion list. Send a blank email
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