Benign Reproductive Tissue Analysis for Endometrial Cancer Markers

Background:

• Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.
• Currently, there are no markers (components of blood and tissue that determine who might be at risk for developing cancer) for endometrial cancer. Objectives:
• To see if women who are undergoing hysterectomy are willing to provide blood and tissue samples to help doctors identify markers that would indicate increased risk for developing endometrial cancer. Eligibility:
• Women between 35 and 54 years of age who will undergo hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition, such as uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, abnormal uterine bleeding, and others at Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Penn. Design:
• Patients' medical records are reviewed and patients complete a questionnaire including information on race and ethnic background, education, marital status, family history, height, weight, pregnancy history, smoking history, medication history, history about menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms.
• Patients provide blood and urine samples before surgery.
• A sample of fat tissue is removed during surgery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
• Tissue samples from the removed uterus (and ovaries if the ovaries are also removed) are collected and analyzed for markers for endometrial cancer.