Uterine cancer

There were 759 new cases of uterine cancer registered in Norway in 2023. In many cases, the disease is detected early, which gives an increased chance of cure. 86 percent survive their cancer for five years or more.

Last updated: 8/12/2024

Illustration

Uterine cancer occurs in the body of the uterus and belongs to the group of gynecological cancers, but must not be confused with cervical cancer. Cancer of the uterus is mostly seen in women who have reached menopause and the first symptom is often bleeding after menstruation has stopped.

A distinction is made between cancer that arises in the uterine lining (the endometrium) and cancer that originates in the muscles of the uterine wall (the myometrium). Cancer that starts from the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer) is the most common form of cancer in the uterus, and the sixth most common form of cancer in women in Norway. Cancer originating from muscles (sarcoma) is a rare form of cancer in the uterus.

Source: kreftlex.no

Risk factors

Lifestyle factors

Overweight/obesity and physical inactivity increase the risk of uterine cancer

Other factors

Increased risk has been shown for women who have had few or no children, and at late menopause
Estrogen increases the risk, estrogen supplements are therefore normally only given to women who have had their uterus removed. Birth control pills and hormone therapy for menopausal women containing estrogen and progesterone, or only progesterone, provide a protective effect

Source: Cancer Research UK og World Cancer Research Fund

New cases

In 2023, 759 new cases of uterine cancer were registered in Norway. Uterine cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer among women. The rate, the number of cases per 100,000 person-years, is 26,0.

Aging

Most women who are affected by uterine cancer are over 60 years old. The median age for uterine cancer is 69, which means that half of all those diagnosed are over 69.

There were 60 women who got uterine cancer before the age of 50 in 2023. Of these, there was 1 woman under the age of 30. The incidence is highest in women aged 70-84.

Survival

In addition to the spread of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the degree of differentiation and cell type are of great importance for the survival of uterine cancer.

Five-year relative survival in the period 2019-2023 is a total (all stages) of 85,4 per cent. Survival for patients with distant spread is significantly lower, 30,1 per cent.

The figure shows relative survival by age, 2019-2023, from fig. 8.2-N i Cancer in Norway 2023

Surviving after uterine cancer

As of 31/12/2023, there were 11,920 people alive in Norway who at one point or another in their medical history have been diagnosed with uterine cancer - so-called prevalence.

Of these, 2,631 were diagnosed less than five years ago, and 5,891 are long-term survivors; people who were diagnosed more than 10 years ago.

During the last 10 years, there have been 2,293 more cancer survivors after uterine cancer.

Number of deaths

In 2022, 102 deaths from uterine cancer were registered in Norway.

Developement over time

In the period 1965 to the beginning of the 2000s, there was a steady increase in the incidence of uterine cancer. The rates have been relatively stable over the past 20 years.

Five-year relative survival from uterine cancer has increased since the 1960s, from approximately 58 per cent in 1965 to 85 per cent in 2023. For many patients, the disease is detected early, which provides good opportunities for becoming cancer-free.

The figure shows trends in incidence (red), mortality (pink) and 5-year relative survival (brown) of uterine cancer in the period 1965-2023. From figure 9.1-P i Cancer in Norway 2023

Measures you can take to reduce your risk of getting uterine cancer

Maintain a healthy body weight, avoid overweight and obesity
Be physically active

Questions about cancer

The Cancer Registry is a research institution. Our professionals therefore do not answer questions about diagnosis, investigation, treatment and follow-up from patients or their relatives.