Endometrial cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C54.1 (Malignant neoplasm of endometrium).

New cases

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer type to occur in the uterus. In 2016, endometrial cancer (2,468 cases) accounted for 90% of uterine cancers diagnosed (2,743 cases). 

In 2016, uterine cancer was the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia among females. It is estimated to remain the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in 2020 (estimates for 2020 are not available for endometrial cancer).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed among females, 2020 

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate for endometrial cancer was 17.2 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for endometrial cancer increased with age, peaking at age group 65-69 and then decreasing.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rate for endometrial cancer, 2010 to 2016

Notes 

• Data sourced from 2016 Australian Cancer Database, AIHW

The number of new cases of endometrial cancer diagnosed increased from 2,117 in 2010 to 2,468 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained relatively constant, at approximately 17 cases per 100,000 females.

Deaths

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer type to occur in the uterus. In 2018, deaths due to endometrial cancer (349) accounted for 67% of uterine cancer deaths (524).

In 2018, uterine cancer was the 10th most common cause of cancer death in Australia among females. It is estimated that it will be the 9th most common cause of cancer death in Australia among females in 2020 (estimates for 2020 are not available for endometrial cancer).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death among females, 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality) 

In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate for endometrial cancer was 2.1 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for endometrial cancer was observed to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for endometrial cancer, 1997 to 2018

Notes 

• Data sourced from National Mortality Database 2018, AIHW

The number of deaths from endometrial cancer increased from 143 in 1997 to 349 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 1.5 deaths per 100,000 females in 1997 and 2.1 deaths per 100,000 females in 2018.

Survival 

In the period 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with endometrial cancer had an 85% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.

Prevalence 

At the end of 2015, there were 2,354 females living who had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer that year and 9,994 females living who had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015). 

For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.