Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in American women. It is the fourth most common cancer found in women — after breast, lung and colon cancer. Endometrial cancer usually begins in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Endometrial cancer most often occurs after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer, but there are other cells in the uterus that can become cancerous as well. These form much less common cancers called sarcomas and account for less than 5% of uterine cancers. Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause. If discovered early, this slow-growing cancer is likely to be confined to the uterus. Removing the uterus surgically often eliminates the cancer. In fact, stage I endometrial cancer is successfully treated more than 90 percent of the time. Unfortunately, not everyone can be successfully treated because the cancer may have spread beyond the uterus at the time of diagnosis.