Descriptive epidemiology and aetiology of endometrial cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has estimated that endometrial cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in the developed countries, with an increasing incidence in postmenopausal women [1]. It is estimated that in 2019, there will be about 62 000 new cases and 12 000 deaths from endometrial cancer in the USA, making it the fourth most common cancer in women after breast, lung and colorectal cancers [2]. The cervical and endometrial cancers originate in the uterus, but differ drastically in terms of aetiology, clinical presentation and characteristics, prognosis and survival. Cervical cancer is a model of viral carcinogenesis, namely human papilloma virus, and most common in developing countries; whereas, endometrial cancer is a model of hormonal carcinogenesis, and most common in developed countries. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of key concepts in cancer epidemiology and to describe the global patterns and trends in incidence and mortality, aetiology and prevention of endometrial cancer.