Introduction:

Endometrial cancer represents the main neoplasm of the uterus and the most frequent gynecological cancer in the most industrialized countries, occupying fourth place among the causes of cancer in women, after breast, colon and lung cancer. It is typical of post menopause and the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 50-70. The fact that this disease is more frequent in richer nations suggests that environmental conditions and lifestyles, typical of these geographical areas, represent risk factors for endometrial cancer. These include diets rich in saturated fats, red meat, and sedentary lifestyles that are not inclined to physical activity. Obesity and overweight also represent significant risk factors for endometrial cancer, as well as for other neoplasms. Other risk factors are related to the hormonal activity of the woman; in particular, early menarche and late menopause, absence of pregnancies, ovarian polycystosis appear to be conditions that favor the development of the neoplasm. Estrogen-only hormonal therapies performed to alleviate the symptoms of menopause once represented a significant risk factor, while today the current estrogen-progestin combination therapies appear to have a protective activity, as does the use of the contraceptive pill in -menopause. Women suffering from breast cancer treated with Tamoxifen have an increased risk of endometrial cancer; therefore, they are subjected to periodic checks to prevent this rare eventuality. There are also hereditary and family factors that can predispose to the development of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer represents the main neoplasm of the uterus and the most frequent gynecological cancer in the most industrialized countries, occupying fourth place among the causes of cancer in women, after breast, colon and lung cancer. It is typical of post menopause and the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 50-70. The fact that this disease is more frequent in richer nations suggests that environmental conditions and lifestyles, typical of these geographical areas, represent risk factors for endometrial cancer. These include diets rich in saturated fats, red meat, and sedentary lifestyles that are not inclined to physical activity. Obesity and overweight also represent significant risk factors for endometrial cancer, as well as for other neoplasms. Other risk factors are related to the hormonal activity of the woman; in particular, early menarche and late menopause, absence of pregnancies, ovarian polycystosis appear to be conditions that favor the development of the neoplasm. Estrogen-only hormonal therapies performed to alleviate the symptoms of menopause once represented a significant risk factor, while today the current estrogen-progestin combination therapies appear to have a protective activity, as does the use of the contraceptive pill in -menopause. Women suffering from breast cancer treated with Tamoxifen have an increased risk of endometrial cancer; therefore, they are subjected to periodic checks to prevent this rare eventuality. There are also hereditary and family factors that can predispose to the development of endometrial cancer. In particular, Lynch syndrome, which is hereditary and associated with a very high risk of colon cancer, can also lead to a 40-60% risk of endometrial cancer. The most frequent histotype is endometrioid-type adenocarcinoma (75-80%).