Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer

Symptoms

The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause. ("Abnormal" means unexpected. If you are taking hormone therapy after menopause, you can expect some bleeding. Otherwise, bleeding after menopause is abnormal.) Up to 20% of women who have abnormal bleeding after menopause will have endometrial cancer.¹

Abnormal bleeding in women older than 35 who have not started menopause may also be a symptom of endometrial cancer, though this is less common. In rare cases, an unexplained abnormal vaginal discharge may be an early symptom.

Symptoms of more advanced endometrial cancer include:

• Difficult or painful urination.
• Pain in the pelvic area.
• A pelvic lump.
• Weight loss.

Other conditions with similar symptoms include cervical cancer and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: November 27, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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