Uterine cancer causes are not fully understood. What is known is that cancer originates in the endometrial cells, which are the building blocks that make up the uterine tissues. The cancer develops when a genetic mutation occurs in the healthy cells that line the uterus, or endometrium. While normal cells grow, divide and die at an established rate, abnormal cells multiply uncontrollably and/or don’t die when they should. As a result, the accumulation of excess cells can form a cancerous mass, or tumor, invade nearby tissues and spread to other areas of the body. Hormones are thought to be one of the leading causes of uterine cancer. Many experts believe that:
- Most endometrial cells contain receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone, which are the female sex hormones produced naturally by the ovaries.
- The endometrial cell receptors can interact with the presence of high levels of the corresponding hormones.
- When the delicate balance of these hormones changes, the endometrium can also change and cause abnormal cellular development to occur.
As research continues, scientists are learning more about the genetic changes that occur to cause healthy endometrial cells to become cancerous. At Moffitt Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida, we are proud to offer our patients the latest options in uterine cancer treatment, including innovative clinical trials. Through these promising studies, we are continually contributing to the growing body of medical research, which allows us to better understand uterine cancer causes and develop improved cancer treatments that enhance survival rates and enrich our patients’ quality of life. If you’d like to discuss uterine cancer causes with the team of cancer experts at Moffitt, please call 1-888-663-3488 or schedule an appointment by completing our online form. Even if you don’t have a referral, our physicians will be pleased to consult with you.
