Is endometrial cancer driven by estrogen or progesterone?
Endometrial cancer is primarily estrogen-driven. Estrogen causes cells in the endometrium to grow, and when there's too much estrogen without enough progesterone to balance it, cells can grow out of control and potentially become cancerous.
Many risk factors for Show Full Answer
Is endometrial cancer driven by estrogen or progesterone?
Endometrial cancer is primarily estrogen-driven. Estrogen causes cells in the endometrium to grow, and when there's too much estrogen without enough progesterone to balance it, cells can grow out of control and potentially become cancerous.
Many risk factors for endometrial cancer involve hormone imbalances that expose the endometrium to estrogen for extended periods. This happens when ovulation doesn't occur regularly, meaning nothing changes hormone levels to move the menstrual cycle along.
Progesterone actually plays a protective role. During pregnancy, when the body produces more progesterone than estrogen, this hormonal shift helps lower the risk of endometrial cancer. A healthy balance between estrogen and progesterone keeps the uterine lining healthy.
This is why treatments often focus on blocking estrogen's effects or increasing progesterone. Some early-stage endometrial cancers can be treated with progestins (synthetic progesterone), which help counteract estrogen's growth-promoting effects on the endometrium.
February 9
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