Cancer Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Understanding Endometrial Cancer -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer?

Some women with endometrial cancer experience no symptoms until the disease has spread to other organs. However, endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed by the appearance of symptoms -- like vaginal bleeding -- as the cancer begins to grow. The most likely symptoms are:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, which occurs in nine out of 10 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Before menopause, this means unusually heavy irregular menstrual periods or bleeding between periods. After a woman enters menopause, this means any vaginal bleeding, unless she is on post-menopausal hormone therapy (HT). Even though HT may be associated with vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal women, the first episodes of any such bleeding should be investigated by their doctor to ensure that it is not due to endometrial cancer. However, only 15% of women with post-menopausal bleeding will have endometrial cancer. In pre-menopausal women, prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods may indicate endometrial cancer.
Vaginal discharge that may range from pink and watery to thick, brown, and foul smelling
Difficult or painful urination
An enlarged uterus, detectable during a pelvic exam
Pain during intercourse
Unexpected weight loss and/or weakness and pain in the lower abdomen, back or legs, occurs when the cancer has spread to other organs.

Call Your Doctor About Endometrial Cancer If:

You experience abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. Abnormal bleeding, though sometimes a symptom of menopause, should be brought to your doctor's attention immediately. Uterine cancer usually doesn't occur before menopause, but it can appear around the time menopause begins.

WebMD Medical Reference

View Article Sources Sources