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Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer

Like most cancers, endometrial cancers may be silent at first. Some women only experience symptoms when this cancer has spread to other organs. In most women, this cancer is detected in its early stages while it is still growing. It often presents symptoms like vaginal bleeding or discharge. These symptoms may be hard to narrow down without a diagnosis.

The endometrium is the inner mucosal lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancer begins in the cells of this lining. This is why endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer. While endometrial cancer is the main type of cancer in the uterus, it is not the only type. Uterine sarcoma is another type of uterine cancer, but it is relatively rare. This article will use endometrial and uterine cancer interchangeably.

Successful treatment of uterine cancer requires early detection. Surgically removing the uterus before this cancer spreads usually solves the problem. You must know what symptoms to look out for and report them to your physician immediately. In this article, you will learn the various symptoms of this cancer.

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Any bleeding outside your menstrual cycle should be investigated. Sometimes they have benign causes like perimenopause. Other times, they are caused by more serious conditions like endometrial cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of women with endometrial cancer experience vaginal bleeding. [1]

Uterine cancer does not usually start before menopause, but it sometimes does. Some people develop it around menopause and may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Even if you suspect this bleeding is caused by perimenopause, you should still discuss it with your doctor. It is hard to tell the cause of your bleeding without a diagnosis.

It may be hard to recognize this symptom during your period. If your flow suddenly becomes unusually heavy, you make sure to go see a doctor. Sometimes the bleeding may be light, especially during the early stages of this cancer. Check your underwear for signs of spotting.