Uterine & Endometrial Cancer — A Complete Overview.
Everything you need to know about uterine and endometrial cancer — from symptoms and staging to treatment options and life after diagnosis — explained clearly by Dr. Aditya Sarin.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every case of uterine cancer is different. Please consult Dr Aditya Sarin or a qualified oncologist for evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to your condition.
95%
5-year survival, localised disease
#1
Most common gynaecologic cancer (US)
90%
Present with abnormal bleeding
Early
Warning sign, often early detection
Any bleeding after menopause should be evaluated promptly, even just once. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Aditya Sarin today.
Section 01
What is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer starts in the uterus, the organ where a baby develops during pregnancy. The large majority of cases, called endometrial cancer, begin in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. A rarer type, uterine sarcoma, starts in the muscle wall of the uterus and behaves quite differently.
Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system in several Western countries, and importantly, it tends to be caught relatively early. That's largely because it usually causes a symptom — abnormal bleeding — early on, well before the cancer has had a chance to spread. This is a genuine advantage compared with several other cancers, and it's a major reason survival rates are as favourable as they are.
Section 02
Types of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer is not a single disease. Knowing the specific type and its molecular features matters for both prognosis and treatment choice. Dr. Aditya Sarin evaluates each case individually to confirm the precise diagnosis before deciding on treatment.
~80% of Cases
Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma
The most common type, generally linked to oestrogen exposure and often diagnosed at an early, favourable stage.
More Aggressive
Serous Carcinoma
A less common but more aggressive subtype that tends to be diagnosed at a later stage and requires more intensive treatment.
Rare · Aggressive
Clear Cell Carcinoma
A rarer, more aggressive subtype requiring careful staging and treatment planning.
Different Origin
Uterine Sarcoma
Starts in the muscle or connective tissue of the uterus rather than the lining, and is treated quite differently from endometrial cancer.
Section 03
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer reliably gives an early warning sign in most cases, which is one reason it's caught relatively early compared with many other cancers.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause
Bleeding between periods, in premenopausal women
Pelvic pain or pressure
Unusual vaginal discharge, watery or blood-tinged
Pain during intercourse
Unintentional weight loss
A feeling of fullness or a mass in the pelvis
Note: Nine in ten women with endometrial cancer experience abnormal bleeding, which is why any bleeding after menopause, even a small amount just once, should always be evaluated by a doctor rather than dismissed.
Section 04
Causes & Risk Factors
Most uterine cancer risk factors relate to lifetime exposure to oestrogen unopposed by progesterone, which stimulates growth of the uterine lining.
Obesity
Fat tissue produces oestrogen, and higher body weight is linked to significantly increased risk.
Unopposed Oestrogen Exposure
Hormone therapy with oestrogen alone, without progesterone, meaningfully raises risk.
Diabetes
Independently associated with increased endometrial cancer risk, separate from its link to obesity.
Never Having Been Pregnant
Women who have never carried a pregnancy have a higher risk than those who have.
Lynch Syndrome
A hereditary condition that substantially raises the risk of uterine and colorectal cancer, warranting genetic counselling and closer surveillance.
Late Menopause
A longer lifetime exposure to menstrual cycles and oestrogen modestly raises risk.
Having one or more risk factors doesn't mean someone will develop uterine cancer, and many people diagnosed have no identifiable risk factor at all.
Section 05
Uterine Cancer Screening & Early Detection
There's no routine population-wide screening test for uterine cancer, unlike cervical cancer with its Pap smear. Detection relies heavily on prompt evaluation of abnormal bleeding, which is why this symptom matters so much.
Pelvic Examination
A doctor examines the uterus, cervix, and surrounding structures for anything abnormal.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
Measures the thickness of the uterine lining, an important clue in evaluating postmenopausal bleeding.
Endometrial Biopsy
A tissue sample from the uterine lining, taken in-office, confirms or rules out cancer.
Hysteroscopy & D&C
A procedure to directly visualise and sample the uterine lining when an office biopsy is inconclusive.
Because there's no routine screening test, taking abnormal bleeding seriously — and getting it checked promptly rather than waiting — is genuinely the single most important thing for early detection of this cancer.
Section 06
Staging of Uterine Cancer
Staging describes how far the cancer has spread and directly shapes the treatment approach. Uterine cancer is staged surgically, using the FIGO system, based on findings at the time of hysterectomy — how deep the tumour has invaded the uterine wall, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or beyond. This staging guidance is current as of 2026.
Stage
What it means
Stage I
Cancer is confined to the uterus.
Stage II
Cancer has spread to the cervix but remains within the uterus and cervix.
Stage III
Cancer has spread beyond the uterus to nearby structures, such as the vagina or ovaries, or to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Cancer has spread to the bladder or bowel, or to distant organs.
Molecular classification, based on genetic features of the tumour, is now used alongside traditional staging to help predict prognosis and guide treatment decisions more precisely, particularly for higher-risk cases.
Survival statistics are population averages. They describe outcomes across large groups of patients and don't predict what will happen to any individual patient.
Uterine cancer survival rate in the United States
Stage at Diagnosis
5-Year Relative Survival
Localized — confined to the uterus
95%
Regional — spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes
Nationally representative, stage-wise survival data specific to uterine cancer is more limited in India than for some other cancers, though the same principle applies everywhere: abnormal bleeding evaluated promptly tends to lead to earlier-stage diagnosis and a considerably better outlook.
Section 08
Treatment Options for Uterine Cancer
Treatment depends on the specific type, stage, and molecular features of the tumour. Dr. Aditya Sarin develops a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan for every patient.
Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus, and often the fallopian tubes and ovaries, the primary treatment for most uterine cancers.
Radiation Therapy
Used after surgery for higher-risk disease, or as primary treatment when surgery isn't an option.
Chemotherapy
Used for higher-risk or advanced disease, often combined with radiation for the most aggressive subtypes.
Hormone Therapy
An option for certain lower-grade, hormone-sensitive tumours, particularly when preserving fertility is a priority.
Immunotherapy
Checkpoint inhibitors are now a standard addition for advanced disease, particularly in tumours with specific molecular features such as mismatch repair deficiency.
Targeted Therapy
An option for tumours with specific genetic alterations, used alongside other treatments for advanced disease.
Section 09
Latest Advances in Uterine Cancer Treatment
Uterine cancer treatment has changed substantially in the past two years, particularly with immunotherapy combinations becoming standard for advanced disease. As of 2026, notable developments include the following.
1
FDA Approval · 2024 · Advanced/Recurrent Disease
Immunotherapy combinations become standard for advanced disease
In 2024, the FDA approved both dostarlimab plus chemotherapy and pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, with particularly strong benefit shown in tumours with mismatch repair deficiency, a molecular feature now routinely tested for at diagnosis.
Targeted therapy for HER2-positive serous carcinoma
In 2025, the FDA approved trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-positive uterine serous carcinoma, giving a genetically defined, more aggressive subtype of uterine cancer a dedicated targeted therapy option for the first time.
Whether either of these developments applies to a given patient depends on molecular testing results, including mismatch repair status and HER2 status, and should be discussed directly with an oncologist.
Section 10
Living with Uterine Cancer
A uterine cancer diagnosis, and the surgery it usually involves, affects hormonal health and daily life in ways that benefit from coordinated, ongoing support.
Menopause Symptom Management
Support for symptoms that can arise if the ovaries are removed as part of surgery, particularly in younger patients.
Counselling & Support Groups
Professional emotional support and peer groups for patients and families navigating diagnosis and treatment.
Nutrition & Weight Management
Personalised dietary guidance, given the established link between obesity and endometrial cancer risk.
Section 11
Why Early Detection Matters
Uterine cancer is one of the few cancers that reliably raises its hand early. Abnormal bleeding is uncomfortable to talk about, but it's also exactly why we catch this cancer as early as we usually do.
— Dr. Aditya Sarin, Medical Oncologist
Localised uterine cancer has a 5-year survival rate around 95%, one of the more favourable rates among solid cancers.
Any bleeding after menopause should be evaluated promptly, even a small amount just once.
Bleeding between periods in a premenopausal woman deserves attention, not just dismissal as irregular cycles.
Molecular testing at diagnosis, including mismatch repair status, can now directly open up immunotherapy options.
Don't let embarrassment delay a conversation with your doctor about abnormal bleeding. It's the single most useful symptom this cancer gives.
Section 12
Frequently Asked Questions about Uterine Cancer
What is the first sign of uterine cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common first sign, especially bleeding after menopause, which should always be evaluated promptly since it's often the earliest and most reliable warning sign this cancer gives.
Is any bleeding after menopause a cause for concern?
Yes. Any bleeding after menopause, even a small amount just once, should be evaluated by a doctor. While most cases turn out to have a benign cause, this symptom is how the majority of endometrial cancers are actually found, and finding it early is a major reason survival rates are so favourable.
Can uterine cancer be cured?
When caught early, which happens in the majority of cases because of the reliable warning sign of abnormal bleeding, uterine cancer has a 5-year survival rate around 95%. Outcomes are lower for more aggressive cell types or later-stage disease.
What is the difference between uterine cancer and cervical cancer?
They start in different parts of the same organ and have different causes. Uterine cancer, most often endometrial cancer, starts in the lining of the uterus and is linked to hormonal factors. Cervical cancer starts in the cervix and is caused almost entirely by persistent HPV infection.
Does a hysterectomy always mean losing hormone function?
Not necessarily. Whether the ovaries are removed as well depends on the individual case, menopausal status, and cancer risk factors, and is a conversation worth having directly with a specialist before surgery.
Is uterine cancer linked to obesity?
Yes, meaningfully. Obesity increases oestrogen exposure to the uterine lining, and is one of the more significant modifiable risk factors for endometrial cancer specifically.
What is the best treatment approach for Uterine Cancer in Delhi?
Effective uterine cancer treatment in Delhi starts with prompt evaluation of any abnormal bleeding, followed by accurate staging and, where relevant, molecular testing to guide whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy should be added to standard treatment. Dr. Aditya Sarin, ESMO board-certified and trained in precision oncology, offers this kind of biomarker-informed, personalised approach for uterine cancer patients in Delhi.
Section 13 · Why Dr. Aditya Sarin
Why Trust Dr. Aditya Sarin for Uterine Cancer Care?
ESMO Board Certified · Harvard Trained · Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Experienced Gynaecologic Oncology Specialist
ESMO Board Certified oncologist with advanced training in precision oncology and cancer genomics from Harvard Medical School.
Advanced Treatment Options
Access to the latest immunotherapy combinations, targeted therapy, and personalised treatment protocols based on molecular testing.
Comprehensive Support
Personalised treatment plans, hormonal health support, emotional counselling, and end-to-end care.
Affordable & Accessible Care
High-quality oncology care with insurance assistance, flexible appointment options, and both in-person and remote consultations.
Mon – Sat (Morning) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mon – Sat (Evening) 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Early Detection Saves Lives
Any bleeding after menopause deserves a prompt evaluation, even just once. If you've noticed abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or simply want expert guidance following a symptom you've been putting off, speak with Dr. Aditya Sarin — a trusted uterine cancer specialist in New Delhi.
