Uterine & endometrial cancer symptoms & care

Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is the most common reproductive cancer type. According to the American Cancer Society, a woman's lifetime chance of getting endometrial cancer is 1 in 41.

Early detection of cervical problems is the best way to prevent uterine cancer. Routine annual pelvic examinations and cervical cancer screening can detect precancerous conditions that often can be treated before cancer develops. Sexually active women and all women over 18 should have these tests.

At Advocate Health Care, our multidisciplinary team of specialists offers a lifelong, comprehensive approach to your care, from prevention and screening to advanced  diagnosis and treatment techniques.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

Uterine cancer symptoms & risk factors

Uterine cancer symptoms

There is currently no routine screening for women at normal risk for endometrial cancer, so it's important to talk with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge
• Difficulty urinating
• Lump or feeling of fullness in the pelvic area
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Pain when urinating
• Unexplained weight loss

Uterine cancer risk factors

White women have a higher risk of developing uterine cancers than women of other races. Younger women with abnormal ovulation and menstruation patterns also face an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.

Additional risks include:

• Age over 50
• Early age of menstruation
• Estrogen replacement therapy
• Being overweight or having diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• History of endometrial hyperplasia
• History of other cancers (breast cancer, ovarian cancer or colon cancer)
• History of taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention or breast cancer treatment
• Never having a pregnancy

Genetic testing can help identify your risk for ovarian cancer, breast cancer and other cancer types.

Detection & diagnosis of uterine cancer

If you notice any unusual symptoms, it’s important to talk with your primary care physician or gynecologist. Abnormal vaginal discharge – as well as abnormal vaginal bleeding outside your normal cycle or during menopause – could indicate the need for testing.

Some of these tests might include:

• Transvaginal ultrasound, which uses high-frequency soundwaves to create a picture of the uterus and look for changes or tumors.
• Dilation and curettage (D&C) in which the doctor uses an instrument to scrape cells from the lining of the uterus.
• Endometrial biopsy, which uses a flexible tube inserted into the uterus through the cervix to collect a tiny portion of tissue from the uterine lining. The cells are examined under a microscope. If you have risk factors for uterine cancer, your doctor may recommend a yearly endometrial biopsy.
• Hysteroscopy, which uses a small scope inserted into the uterus through the cervix to help the doctor see abnormalities or growths.
• CA-125, a blood test that looks for higher levels of a substance that could indicate the presence of cancer.

Treatments for uterine cancer

If you’re diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you’ll have some of the best experts by your side. Our team will work with you to create a personalized cancer treatment plan. Your plan will include the latest therapies to help slow the growth of endometrial and uterine cancer cells.

Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

• We may recommend surgery followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of both in order to destroy additional uterine cancer cells.
• In some cases, we may use chemotherapy or radiation to shrink your tumor before surgery.
• Hormone therapy slows the growth of endometrial cancer cells by reducing hormones in the body. We may use it alone or with surgery and other therapies.

Support for every step

We’re committed to caring for the whole you and providing the resources you and your loved ones need to manage a cancer diagnosis. You’ll find a full range of free or low-cost cancer support and wellness services to guide you during recovery:

• Educational programs
• Rehabilitation
• Nutritional counseling
• Spiritual counseling
• Support groups