What is Uterine Cancer ?
Uterine Cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus (womb).Cancers that start in epithelial cells, the cells that line or cover most organs, are called carcinomas. More than 95% of uterine cancers are carcinomas. Carcinomas starting in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, are endometrial carcinomas.
About the uterus
The uterus is a hollow organ, usually about the size and shape of a medium-sized pear:
- The lower end of the uterus, which extends into the vagina, is the cervix.
- The upper part of the uterus is the body, also known as the corpus.
The body of the uterus has 3 layers.
- The inner layer or lining is the endometrium.
- The serosa is the layer of tissue coating the outside of the uterus.
- In the middle is a thick layer of muscle known as the myometrium. This muscle layer is needed to push a baby out during childbirth.