Uterine cancer can cause symptoms early in the course of the cancer, as well as during more advanced stages. Perhaps the most significant early warning sign is unusually heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding. In fact, roughly 90 percent of women diagnosed with this cancer report abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding includes bleeding that occurs after menopause, or bleeding that occurs between periods. If you are still menstruating, it could also be bleeding that is not typical for you, such as very heavy bleeding. Any abnormal bleeding should be reported to your doctor immediately.
Other Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
Several other symptoms warrant a call to the doctor right away, including:
An abnormal vaginal discharge (even with no traces of blood)Pain in your pelvic area (which often occurs in more advanced stages)A mass in your pelvic areaUnexpected weight loss
All of these could be the result of other conditions besides uterine cancer, but nonetheless, it’s important to be examined.
Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer
When you see your doctor, you will be asked to describe your symptoms. It may help to write down what they are, when you first noticed them, and other details before your appointment. After taking a careful history, your doctor may order a range of tests, including: Pelvic exam: You might have a pelvic exam as part of your regular checkup. During the exam, your doctor will inspect your outer genital area, and then insert two fingers into the vagina while pressing the other hand on the abdominal area. In this way, the doctor can feel for abnormalities in the uterus and the ovaries. The doctor will insert a speculum, a device to view the area for problems. Transvaginal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create a picture of your uterus. A wand-like device known as a transducer is inserted into your vagina and a video image is created so that your doctor can examine the thickness of the uterine lining, which is a way to determine abnormalities. Hysteroscopy: During this test, your doctor inserts a lighted tube (hysteroscope) into your vagina to examine inside the uterus and the uterine lining. Endometrial biopsy: Performed in a doctor’s office, typically without anesthesia, your doctor will remove a piece of tissue from the uterine lining so it can be sent to the laboratory and analyzed. Dilation and curettage (D&C): If the biopsy sample doesn’t provide clear results after analysis, your doctor may do a D&C. This test involves removing tissue from the lining of the uterus so it can be analyzed under a microscope for cancer cells.
