Every year, around 66,000 new cases of uterine cancer are diagnosed. Uterine cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women, after breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Uterine cancer (cancer that begins in the uterus) can be divided into two types: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancer develops in the endometrium, or uterine lining (the tissue that sheds each month during menstruation), whereas uterine sarcoma affects the uterus' muscles and supporting structures.
Symptoms of both types of uterine cancer can be similar. They can be an indication of endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma, but they can also be a sign of a variety of other, less dangerous diseases. Any of these symptoms doesn't necessarily indicate that you have uterine cancer, but they do indicate that you should see a gynecology doctor.
1. Pelvic pain
When uterine cancer becomes large enough to pressure surrounding tissues and nerves, it can cause pelvic pain. Pain can also arise when the body recognizes an aberrant tumor in the uterus and begins to cramp in an attempt to remove it. Pain can occur when uterine cancer extends beyond the uterus into the pelvis or abdomen in later stages. This can sometimes result in fluid build-up in the pelvis or abdomen, which can cause discomfort.
The pain from uterine cancer might be constant or periodic. It can even happen during vaginal sex if external pressure is applied to a mass in the uterus as a result of intercourse. The degree of this pelvic pain, on the other hand, varies. Some patients may have more discomfort than pain, while others may experience more intense pain.
2. Irregular bleeding
The most common sign of early-stage uterine cancer that hasn't progressed to other parts of the body, is irregular vaginal bleeding. When cancer spreads to the uterine lining, it thickens, causing bleeding. The cells at the top of the uterine lining slough off irregularly as a result of the thickening.
This irregular bleeding might appear as spotting between periods in premenopausal women. It could also be a change in the frequency or length of your cycle. Any sort of vaginal bleeding or spotting that occur after menopause is a red flag. It's not usually vivid red when you're bleeding. It might sometimes resemble a brownish vaginal discharge. However, there may be no visible blood in the discharge in some cases of endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.
After menopause, irregular vaginal bleeding is considerably more likely to be a symptom of cancer than before menopause. Uterine cancer is most common in women over 50, with an average diagnosis age of 60. Even so, anyone experiencing unusual bleeding or discharge should consult their doctor.
3. Gastrointestinal issues
When uterine cancer spreads beyond the uterus into the belly and pelvis, it can block off parts of the colon and cause gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, or a feeling of fullness are some of the symptoms.
4. Bloating
Bloating is a considerably more common symptom of ovarian cancer than it is of uterine cancer, but it can happen either. Bloating occurs when cancer spreads from the uterus to the abdomen, causing abdomen edema. When a cancer tumor is large enough, it can cause substantial bloating just because of its presence alone.
5. Unintentional weight loss
When uterine cancer spreads from the uterus and into the abdomen, it can push against the stomach and cause unintentional weight loss. Because any advanced cancer can cause inflammation in the body, weight loss can also occur in late-stage uterine cancer. This inflammation can lead to a reduction in appetite and, in some cases, considerable weight loss.
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