Endometrial and ovarian cancers both develop in the female reproductive tract. While these cancers have some similarities, there are differences in location, risk factors, and common symptoms.
Endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer are both cancers of the female reproductive tract. Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus, while ovarian cancer impacts one or both ovaries.
While these two cancers have some things in common, they also have differences. Below, we’ll explore these in more detail.
Language matters
You’ll notice that the language used to share stats and other data points in this article is fairly straightforward. Although we usually avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.
However, the studies and surveys referenced in this article didn’t report data on, or include, participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.
Both endometrial and ovarian cancers start in the female reproductive tract. The main difference between these two cancers is the exact area where they develop. Other differences include the following:
Location
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow organ that holds and nourishes a fetus during pregnancy.
During your menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus (also called the endometrium) thickens to prepare for the possible implantation of an embryo. If this doesn’t happen, the endometrium is shed during your period.
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries. The ovaries release an egg, or oocyte, about midway through your menstrual cycle. If the egg is fertilized with sperm, it may lead to pregnancy.
How common
Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer affecting the female reproductive tract. According to the
Ovarian cancer is less common. The
It’s also possible that people may receive diagnoses of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer at the same time. This is called synchronous cancer. Endometrial and ovarian cancer is found synchronously at a rate of
Risk factors
Some factors can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. These include:
- an older age
- a family history of endometrial cancer
- specific genetic syndromes that increase risk, such as Lynch syndrome
- endometrial hyperplasia
- several factors affecting hormones, specifically estrogen, such as:
- using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause
- never giving birth
- starting your period at a younger age or starting menopause at an older age
- having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or certain ovarian tumors that make estrogen
- taking the drug tamoxifen to treat or prevent breast cancer
- certain other health conditions, including:
Certain factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer also apply to endometrial cancer. These risk factors may include:
- an older age
- a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer
- a personal history of breast cancer
- mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
- specific genetic syndromes that increase risk, such as Lynch syndrome
- using HRT after menopause
- having children at an older age or never having children
- certain other health conditions, including
- obesity
There’s also an overlap between the symptoms of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. But some symptoms are more common in one type of cancer and less common in the other.
Endometrial cancer
The
- bleeding that happens between periods
- bleeding that occurs after menopause
- a period that’s much heavier or more irregular than is typical
Other symptoms of endometrial cancer, especially in later stages, can include:
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- pelvic pain
- abdominal bloating
- urination that’s difficult or painful
- changes in bowel habits, such as having constipation or diarrhea
- unintended weight loss
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer often doesn’t have symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms are present, they can be nonspecific and can include:
- pelvic pain
- abdominal bloating
- feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating
- frequent or urgent urination
Additional symptoms, particularly in later stages, can include:
- fatigue
- back pain
- pain during sex
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- changes in bowel habits
- unintended weight loss
When to see a doctor
The symptoms of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer can be similar to those of other, more common gynecological conditions. But it’s important to see a doctor if your symptoms are severe, persistent, or occur frequently.
Surgery is often the main treatment for both endometrial and ovarian cancers. This can often include the removal of:
- the uterus
- both fallopian tubes
- both ovaries
It’s also possible that nearby lymph nodes may need to be removed, too. Some cancers can also involve more extensive surgery to remove cancer that’s spread within the pelvic area. This is called debulking.
In some situations, a doctor may suggest fertility-sparing surgery. This is usually when the cancer is in its very early stages and less aggressive.
In addition to surgery, other treatments for endometrial and ovarian cancers are available. A doctor may recommend these treatments alone or in combination with other treatments. They include:
- chemotherapy (often necessary for ovarian cancer)
- radiation therapy
- hormone therapy
- targeted therapy
- immunotherapy (for endometrial cancer)
What factors influence treatment?
The treatment of both endometrial and ovarian cancers depends on various factors such as:
- the type of cancer being treated
- the extent (stage) of the cancer
- the cancer grade, which is an assessment of how likely the cancer is to grow and spread quickly
- whether the cancer has certain markers or genetic characteristics
- your age and overall health
- your reproductive plans
- personal preference
Generally, endometrial cancer has a better outlook. The
The table below shows the 5-year survival rates for different stages of uterine cancer, according to the SEER database.
| SEER stage | 5-year survival rate |
| Localized: cancer is only in the uterus | 94.9% |
| Regional: cancer has spread into nearby tissues | 69.8% |
| Distant: cancer has spread to more distant tissues | 18.4% |
| Overall | 81% |
Many ovarian cancers have spread beyond the ovaries at the time of diagnosis, which can lead to a poorer outlook. The
The table below shows the 5-year survival rates for different stages of ovarian cancer, according to the SEER database.
| SEER stage | 5-year survival rate |
| Localized: cancer is only in the ovaries | 92.4% |
| Regional: cancer has spread into nearby tissues | 72.9% |
| Distant: cancer has spread to more distant tissues | 31.5% |
| Overall | 50.8% |
While endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer have some similarities, there are several important differences, including location, risk factors, and common symptoms.
Overall, ovarian cancer has a poorer outlook than endometrial cancer. This is because ovarian cancer is often more advanced when it’s diagnosed.
Be sure to see your doctor if you have symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or abdominal bloating. While these symptoms may not be due to cancer, they may be caused by another health condition that needs attention and treatment.