Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionNext in Endometrial Cancer GuideSymptoms of Endometrial Cancer
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View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Next in Endometrial Cancer Guide
Endometrialcancer, the most common type of uterine cancer, starts in the cells of theendometrium—the lining of theuterusthat is built up and then shed each month in menstruating females who are not pregnant.
The disease is more common after menopause. It’s typically curable, and factors such as the stage and effect of hormones on the tumor can determine individual prognosis.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Endometrial Cancer Symptoms
Other symptoms include pain during sexual intercourse or an abnormal discharge that’s watery or bloody. In later stages of the disease, you may experience pelvic pain, weight loss, and you might feel a mass in your pelvis.
There are a number of different types of endometrial cancer, such as adenocarcinoma (the most common), squamous cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, small cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, clear-cell carcinoma, and transitional carcinoma.
Risk factors for developing endometrial cancer include:
Endometrial cancer occurs when normal cells mutate and multiply.As they accumulate, a tumor begins to form. The abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body.
Causes and Risk Factors of Endometrial Cancer
The earlier endometrial cancer is detected, the better the outcome. Endometrial cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage due to abnormal bleeding.
Your healthcare provider can find abnormalities in your uterus and cervix during a pelvic exam or a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. You may also have a hysteroscopy, a diagnostic test in which a flexible, lighted tube is inserted into your uterus so your healthcare provider can visualize the structures inside.
There are two procedures that can be used to definitively diagnose endometrial cancer:
Endometrial Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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If a cancer diagnosis is made, your healthcare provider will probably order more tests to determine if cancer has spread outside of your uterus. These tests can include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, chest X-ray, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and blood tests. The results of these tests will determine thestaging of your cancer:
How Endometrial Cancer Is Diagnosed
If you’re diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you and your healthcare providers will need to discuss the best treatments options for you based on the stage of your cancer, your symptoms, and any other health issues you have.
Treatments include:
Types of Treatment for Endometrial Cancer
It usually takes years for endometrial cancer to develop, and it often comes after lesser endometrial problems have started. If you have abnormal bleeding, be sure to see your healthcare provider.
Taking birth control pills for at least a year may lower the risk of endometrial cancer. Using an intrauterine device (IUD) that doesn’t contain hormones also may lower the risk, though there isn’t research about the effects of IUDs that release hormones. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using either of these types of contraception.
A Word From Verywell
The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding. This means that many cases are caught in the early stages and the overall prognosis for this type of cancer is good. If you’ve been diagnosed, it’s important to become your own advocate when it comes to your care. Ask your healthcare provider lots of questions. Consider getting a second opinion. Take time to relax and unwind. Enlist the help of your family and friends, if needed. Educate yourself and your loved ones about what to expect. Most importantly, take one day at a time.
Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
8 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.Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer SocietyWhat Causes Endometrial Cancer?American Cancer SocietyTests for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Stages. American Cancer SocietySurgery for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyHormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyCan Endometrial Cancer Be Prevented?American Cancer Society
8 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.Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer SocietyWhat Causes Endometrial Cancer?American Cancer SocietyTests for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Stages. American Cancer SocietySurgery for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyHormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyCan Endometrial Cancer Be Prevented?American Cancer Society
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.
Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer SocietyWhat Causes Endometrial Cancer?American Cancer SocietyTests for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyEndometrial Cancer Stages. American Cancer SocietySurgery for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyHormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer SocietyCan Endometrial Cancer Be Prevented?American Cancer Society
Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer Society
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society
What Causes Endometrial Cancer?American Cancer Society
Tests for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer Society
Endometrial Cancer Stages. American Cancer Society
Surgery for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer Society
Hormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. American Cancer Society
Can Endometrial Cancer Be Prevented?American Cancer Society
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