Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer, from the CureRays guide library.

Uterine cancer usually starts in the lining of the womb and most often announces itself early with abnormal bleeding — which is why it is frequently caught and cured.

What it is.

The uterus (womb) is the organ where a baby grows, and its inner lining is called the endometrium. Most uterine cancers begin in this lining. The most common early warning sign is abnormal vaginal bleeding — especially any bleeding after menopause — which leads many women to see a doctor while the cancer is still confined to the uterus and highly curable. It is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, and risk is linked to factors that raise estrogen exposure, including obesity.

How radiation treats it.

Radiation uses focused high-energy x-rays to damage cancer-cell DNA so the cells can no longer divide. Healthy cells repair this damage better than cancer cells, so treatment clears cancer while sparing normal tissue. Brachytherapy places the radiation source right where the risk is, delivering a strong local dose while limiting exposure elsewhere. Treatments are painless and brief; side effects can include temporary bladder or bowel changes and vaginal dryness, which the care team helps manage.

The ways we can treat it.

Vaginal brachytherapy. Places a radiation source briefly inside the vagina to treat the area where cancer is most likely to recur, with few side effects and a short schedule.

External-beam radiation (IMRT/IGRT). Treats the whole pelvis when lymph nodes are involved or risk is higher, shaping the dose to protect the bladder and bowel.

Definitive radiation. For women who cannot have surgery, radiation — often combining external and internal techniques — can treat the cancer directly.

Questions we hear often.

I have bleeding after menopause — should I worry? Any bleeding after menopause should be checked promptly. It is often something benign, but it is also the most common early sign of uterine cancer, and catching it early makes it very curable.

Will radiation make me feel sick? Most women tolerate it well. Vaginal brachytherapy in particular has few side effects; external radiation may cause temporary bowel or bladder changes and fatigue that settle after treatment.

Do I always need chemo and radiation after surgery? No. Many early uterine cancers are cured by surgery alone. Added treatment is tailored to your stage, grade, and increasingly the tumor's molecular features.

This guide is informational only. It is not medical advice — please confirm anything here with your care team.