Endometrial carcinoma is the fifth most common female malignancy. Those who are postmenopausal and live in a western world are at highest risk. Increased ratio of estrogens against progestogens is regarded as a potential risk factor as is having a history of an androgenic phenotype.
Hyperstimulation of the endometrial androgenic receptor is responsible for decreased proliferation indices within this epithelium. However, it is a secondary hyperestrogenism not opposed by progestogens that is blamed to raise the risk. Better understanding of this mechanism is likely to improve diagnosis and management of endometrial malignancy.