Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Endometrial Cancer GuideHow Endometrial Cancer Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Endometrial Cancer Guide
In general terms, the most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Approximatley 90 percent of women have this symptom, according to the American Cancer Society.
Before Menopause
If you haven’t yet gone through menopause, abnormal vaginal bleeding includes:
After Menopause
Uterine cancer is not the only cause ofvaginal bleeding after menopause. Fibroids, thyroid disorders, polyps, and hormone replacement therapy can also cause vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal women.
Other symptoms of endometrial cancer that can occur before or after menopause include:
Symptoms that may occur in the later stages of cancer include:
While you’re being tested for endometrial cancer, there is the risk of your uterus being perforated (torn) during the endometrial biopsy or dilation and curettage (D&C), but the chances of this are slim. The risk is slightly higher for women who have been through menopause or who have been pregnant recently.
You should see your healthcare provider if you have any of the above-listed symptoms of endometrial cancer. They may turn out to indicate something else, but if you do have cancer, the earlier it’s detected, the better your outcome will be.
Keep in mind that if you have any abnormal discharge at any stage of life, even if it’s not bloody, you may still have endometrial cancer and should see your healthcare provider. Discharge that isn’t bloody is associated with around10 percentof cases of endometrial cancer.
If you’re experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking through one sanitary pad an hour), you should go to the emergency room.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are often few symptoms in the early stages of endometrial cancer. If they do occur, they may be non-specific and easily attributed to other causes. The most common early signs and symptoms include:Abnormal vaginal bleeding and spottingAbnormal vaginal dischargeChanges in the menstrual cycleBecause the symptoms are so non-specific in the earlystages, around 30% of cases are diagnosed when the cancer is advanced (stages 3 and 4),typically causing pelvic pain,unintended weight loss, and a perceivable pelvic mass.Even so, the vast majority of cases are diagnosed during the early stages (stages 1 and 2).When endometrial cancer spreads (metastasizes), it will most often affect thebladder,rectum,vagina,ovaries, orfallopian tubes. Signs may include frequent or painful urination, pain during intercourse, rectal pain or discharge, and persistent pelvic cramping. There may also be generalized symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss.It depends on whether therecurrenceis local, regional, or distant. While abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and a palpable mass are the most common signs, other frequent symptoms are urinary frequency or pain, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, persistent cough, chest pain, anddeep vein thrombosis (DVT).
There are often few symptoms in the early stages of endometrial cancer. If they do occur, they may be non-specific and easily attributed to other causes. The most common early signs and symptoms include:Abnormal vaginal bleeding and spottingAbnormal vaginal dischargeChanges in the menstrual cycle
There are often few symptoms in the early stages of endometrial cancer. If they do occur, they may be non-specific and easily attributed to other causes. The most common early signs and symptoms include:
Because the symptoms are so non-specific in the earlystages, around 30% of cases are diagnosed when the cancer is advanced (stages 3 and 4),typically causing pelvic pain,unintended weight loss, and a perceivable pelvic mass.Even so, the vast majority of cases are diagnosed during the early stages (stages 1 and 2).
When endometrial cancer spreads (metastasizes), it will most often affect thebladder,rectum,vagina,ovaries, orfallopian tubes. Signs may include frequent or painful urination, pain during intercourse, rectal pain or discharge, and persistent pelvic cramping. There may also be generalized symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss.
It depends on whether therecurrenceis local, regional, or distant. While abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and a palpable mass are the most common signs, other frequent symptoms are urinary frequency or pain, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, persistent cough, chest pain, anddeep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What Is Endometrial Cancer?
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: uterine cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Endometrial cancer.Moffitt Cancer Center.Where does metastatic uterine cancer spread to?Jeppesen MM, Mogensen O, Hansen DG, Iachina M, Korsholm M, Jensen PT.Detection of recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer – the role of symptoms and routine follow-up.Acta Oncologica. 2017;56(2):262-9. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2016.1267396
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: uterine cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Endometrial cancer.Moffitt Cancer Center.Where does metastatic uterine cancer spread to?Jeppesen MM, Mogensen O, Hansen DG, Iachina M, Korsholm M, Jensen PT.Detection of recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer – the role of symptoms and routine follow-up.Acta Oncologica. 2017;56(2):262-9. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2016.1267396
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: uterine cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Endometrial cancer.Moffitt Cancer Center.Where does metastatic uterine cancer spread to?Jeppesen MM, Mogensen O, Hansen DG, Iachina M, Korsholm M, Jensen PT.Detection of recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer – the role of symptoms and routine follow-up.Acta Oncologica. 2017;56(2):262-9. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2016.1267396
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: uterine cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Endometrial cancer.
Moffitt Cancer Center.Where does metastatic uterine cancer spread to?
Jeppesen MM, Mogensen O, Hansen DG, Iachina M, Korsholm M, Jensen PT.Detection of recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer – the role of symptoms and routine follow-up.Acta Oncologica. 2017;56(2):262-9. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2016.1267396
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