If uterine cancer spreads

Cancer cells can spread from the uterus to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If uterine cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • middle layer of the wall of the uterus (called the myometrium)
  • outer layer of the uterus (called the perimetrium)
  • cervix
  • tissues around the uterus
  • vagina
  • fallopian tubes
  • ovaries
  • lymph nodes in the pelvis
  • bladder
  • rectum
  • lymph nodes around the aorta (called para-arotic lymph nodes)
  • lymph nodes above the collarbone
  • abdominal cavity
  • peritoneal cavity
  • omentum
  • bones
  • brain
  • liver
  • lungs

Expert review and references

  • Alektiar KM, Abu-Rustum NR, Fleming GF . Cancer of the uterine body. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 73:1048-1064.
  • Almadrones Cassidy, L . Endometrial cancer. Yarbro CH, Wujcki D, Holmes GB (eds.). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett; 2011: 53: 1281-1294.
  • American Cancer Society. Uterine Sarcoma. 2014: https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Cancer Society. Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer. 2015: https://www.cancer.org/.
  • National Cancer Institute. Endometrial Cancer Treatment for Health Professionals (PDQ®). 2015: http://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/hp/endometrial-treatment-pdq#section/all.

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