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Signs of Cancer of the Uterus

Uterine cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the uterus. These abnormal cells clump together and form tumors. The uterus is an organ in a woman's pelvis. Tumors in the uterus can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors can be life-threatening and have the potential to spread and damage other organs or tissues. Metastasis is when cancer spreads from its original site to other organs or tissues.

  1. Risk Factors

    • Cancer of the uterus is more likely to occur in women who have certain risk factors. These factors are associated with diseases or disorders and include endometrial hyperplasia, obesity in conjunction with diabetes or high blood pressure, and colorectal cancer. Some medications may increase your risk of uterine cancer, such as hormone replacement therapy and tamoxifen. Additional risk factors include being over 50 years of age, never having children, early onset of menstruation and if you begin menopause later than normal. African-American women are less likely than white women to get uterine cancer.

    Symptoms

    • The most frequent sign of uterine cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding that can begin as a watery, blood-streaked flow that slowly begins to contain more blood, longer than normal periods or bleeding between periods. Other symptoms include painful or difficult urination, pain during intercourse and pain or pressure in the pelvic area. These symptoms do not always mean you have cancer. You should contact your physician for an evaluation, especially if you have one or more risk factors.

    Diagnosis

    • Not all of the following tests will be performed to diagnose uterine cancer. Your physician will determine the best way to diagnose your condition, which may include one or a combination of diagnostic tests. Some tests that help diagnose uterine cancer are blood and urine tests, a pelvic exam, pap test, transvaginal ultrasound and a biopsy of the lining of the uterus.

    Staging

    • Cancer staging determines to what extent the cancer has spread and if it has reached other tissues or organs. Testing for staging purposes include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. Staging can also be determined by the surgical removal of the uterus, also called a hysterectomy. The four stages of uterine cancer range from cancer contained in the uterus to cancer that has spread to the bladder, rectum or beyond the pelvis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of uterine cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy or hormonal therapy. A combination of treatments are indicated depending on the stage of the cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment. The two types of surgical treatment are a hysterectomy and a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which is the removal of the uterus as well as both ovaries and fallopian tubes.

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