Uterine Cancer Symptoms
CancerUterine Cancer
Explore This Topic

Uterine Cancer Symptoms

By
Updated on December 10, 2014
by

What are the warnings signs of uterine (or endometrial) cancer?

Uterine cancer can cause symptoms early in the course of the cancer, as well as during more advanced stages.

Perhaps the most significant early warning sign is unusually heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding.

In fact, roughly 90 percent of women diagnosed with this cancer report abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Abnormal bleeding includes bleeding that occurs after menopause, or bleeding that occurs between periods.

If you are still menstruating, it could also be bleeding that is not typical for you, such as very heavy bleeding.

Any abnormal bleeding should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Other Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Several other symptoms warrant a call to the doctor right away, including:

  • An abnormal vaginal discharge (even with no traces of blood)
  • Pain in your pelvic area (which often occurs in more advanced stages)
  • A mass in your pelvic area
  • Unexpected weight loss

All of these could be the result of other conditions besides uterine cancer, but nonetheless, it's important to be examined.

Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer

When you see your doctor, you will be asked to describe your symptoms.

It may help to write down what they are, when you first noticed them, and other details before your appointment.

After taking a careful history, your doctor may order a range of tests, including:

Pelvic exam: You might have a pelvic exam as part of your regular checkup. During the exam, your doctor will inspect your outer genital area, and then insert two fingers into the vagina while pressing the other hand on the abdominal area.

In this way, the doctor can feel for abnormalities in the uterus and the ovaries. The doctor will insert a speculum, a device to view the area for problems.

Transvaginal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create a picture of your uterus.

A wand-like device known as a transducer is inserted into your vagina and a video image is created so that your doctor can examine the thickness of the uterine lining, which is a way to determine abnormalities.

Hysteroscopy: During this test, your doctor inserts a lighted tube (hysteroscope) into your vagina to examine inside the uterus and the uterine lining.

Endometrial biopsy: Performed in a doctor's office, typically without anesthesia, your doctor will remove a piece of tissue from the uterine lining so it can be sent to the laboratory and analyzed.

Dilation and curettage (D&C): If the biopsy sample doesn't provide clear results after analysis, your doctor may do a D&C.

This test involves removing tissue from the lining of the uterus so it can be analyzed under a microscope for cancer cells.

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Robert Jasmer, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Robert Jasmer, MD, is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine. He is in private practice in Burlingame, California, where he specializing in interstitial lung disease, pulmonary infections, and obstructive lung disease. His favorite part of practice is the long-term personal relationships he develops with his patients.

Jasmer previously served as the associate program director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Training Program at UCSF, and has also directed the UCSF Pulmonary and Critical Care Continuing Medical Education program. He was also the codirector of the medical intensive care unit at San Francisco General Hospital for nine years. He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed research studies and written 11 books or chapters on various topics in pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine. In addition to reviewing for Everyday Health, Jasmer has also written for publications like MedPageToday.

Jasmer is married and has a daughter and twin sons. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his family, trying out new restaurants, playing tennis, and keeping up with his children's busy schedules.

See full bio

Anne L. Fritz

Author

Anne L. Fritz is a New York City-based freelancer with more than 15 years experience.

She enjoys covering a range of healthcare topics and has a particular interest in advances on the anti-aging front including lasers and cosmetic injectibles.

Prior to launching her freelance career, Anne was Style Director at Life & Style magazine and Fashion & Beauty Editor at Woman’s Day. She has also worked at InStyle.com, MarthaStewart.com and Working Mother magazine.

Anne is a graduate of Syracuse University and a Washington D.C. native.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Additional Sources