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Endometrial Cancer: Symptoms, Signs and Causes

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In most cases, women experience endometrial cancer symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is easy to catch this cancer in its early stages and receive appropriate treatment.

Who is Mainly Affected by Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial cancer may occur in any woman, with or without the underlying known risk factors. However, some women are more vulnerable to developing endometrial cancer, such as women with higher levels of estrogen, early menstruation, and late menopause, older age, underlying medical conditions such as Lynch syndrome and obesity, those who have never been pregnant, and those who have received hormone therapy for breast cancer.

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Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer

The most commonly observed endometrial cancer symptoms include:

Pelvic Pain

Patients with endometrial cancer may experience pelvic pain if the tumor becomes large and starts exerting pressure on the surrounding structures and nerves. Patients may have discomfort in the abdomen when the spread of cancer results in fluid accumulation in the abdominal area. Pain may also develop when the tumor spreads to the abdomen and pelvis.

Pain During Intercourse

Pain during sexual intercourse is one of the endometrial cancer symptoms. It may also be caused due to sexual changes that result in vaginal dryness. Although it may occur due to age and other underlying medical conditions, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, it is important to rule out the presence of serious conditions.

Watery or Bloody Discharge from the Vagina

Watery or bloody vaginal discharges should not be ignored as they could indicate endometrial cancer. The women should also consult the gynecologists if discharge occurs between periods and after sexual intercourse. Burning sensations and itching during discharge are usually due to a yeast infection. However, it should be examined by the doctor.

Changes in the length or heaviness of periods

Menstrual bleeding, which is longer or heavier than usual, especially in women over 40, maybe a sign of endometrial cancer. A menstrual cycle shorter than 21 days is also a red flag for serious conditions.

Unexplained weight loss

Like other cancers, unexplained weight loss is also one of the endometrial cancer symptoms. There are several mechanisms through which endometrial cancer causes weight loss.

First, as the cancer cells require more energy to divide and proliferate, they receive more nutrition. Second, in the case of endometrial cancer, it spreads to the abdomen, pushes the stomach, and reduces its size. Third, patients with advanced cancer have widespread inflammation that disrupts the metabolic processes.

Fatigue

Irregular and heavy vaginal bleeding in patients with endometrial cancer may result in anemia. Patients with anemia may experience fatigue, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

Bloating

Bloating may be one of the advanced-stage endometrial cancer symptoms. It is due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. It may also occur due to the significant growth of tumors.

Constipation

Constipation and other gastrointestinal conditions, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, could also appear as advanced-stage endometrial cancer symptoms. It occurs when the tumor spreads to the pelvis and the abdomen.

Endometrial Cancer Type & Its Symptoms

Symptoms of different types of endometrial (uterine) cancer are:

Symptoms of Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma

The most common endometrial adenocarcinoma symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, watery discharge, and pelvic and abdominal pain.

Symptoms of Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma

The most common uterine papillary serous carcinoma symptoms include post-menopausal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, and unexplained weight loss.

Symptoms of Uterine Clear Cell Carcinoma

The most common uterine clear cell carcinoma symptom is abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding. The other common symptoms include loss of appetite, bloating, weight loss, and altered bowel or bladder habits.

Symptoms of Uterine Carcinosarcoma

The common symptoms of uterine carcinosarcoma include vaginal bleeding, abdominal or pelvic pain, and distension.

What is Endometrial cancer caused by?

Some of the possible endometrial cancer causes include:

Excess Estrogen Exposure

Certain medical conditions, such as obesity, irregular ovulation, and diabetes, increase the level of estrogen. Exposure to estrogen may also be due to estrogen-based hormone therapy. Higher than normal levels of estrogen can lead to excessive growth of endometrial cells, which may eventually lead to cancer.

A Diet High in Animal Fat

Women who consume a diet rich in animal fats, total fat, and saturated fat may develop endometrial cancer.

Late Menopause

Studies have reported an association between the age of menopause and endometrial cancer. Having a late menopause may be one possible endometrial cancer causes.

Never Having Children

Excessive exposure to estrogen may cause endometrial cancer. When the woman gets pregnant, the exposure to estrogen is interrupted, which helps reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Thus, women who never attain pregnancy may be at a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Obesity

Obesity is also one of the possible endometrial cancer causes. Obese women may be exposed to estrogen or have an imbalance in their hormone levels and may develop endometrial cancer.

Age

Women of older age may develop endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer generally occurs after menopause.

Diabetes

Resistance to insulin in patients with diabetes may also lead to endometrial cancer. Further, insulin resistance also results in hormonal imbalances in women.

Family History

Women with a family history of endometrial or colorectal cancer may have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Prior Radiation Therapy for Pelvic Cancer

Women with a history of undergoing radiation therapy to manage pelvic cancer may also develop endometrial cancer due to radiation-induced mutations in the endometrial cells.

Other Medical Conditions

Women with underlying medical conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, may also develop endometrial cancer.

When to see an Oncologist?

It is important to consult an oncologist if symptoms like painful intercourse, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, irregular vaginal bleeding, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, and gastrointestinal issues are observed persistently. It is important to note that other gynecological cancers also show similar symptoms, and therefore, a proper evaluation helps in arriving at a conclusive diagnosis.

Conclusion

The signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer include pelvic and abdominal pain, painful intercourse, bloating, constipation, irregular bleeding, bleeding between periods, post-menopausal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss. The possible endometrial cancer causes include obesity, diabetes, ovarian dysfunction, family history, late menopause, older age, never getting pregnant, and excessive exposure to estrogen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?

Some of the common symptoms of endometrial cancer include pelvic pain, pain after intercourse, changes in the menstrual cycle, abnormal vaginal discharge, unintended weight loss, fatigue, and bloating.

Endometriosis cysts may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as ovarian cancer.

Excessive exposure to estrogen is one of the biggest risk factors for endometrial cancer. Excessive exposure to estrogen may occur due to diabetes, obesity, ovarian dysfunction, or hormone therapy.

Some types of endometrial cancers are aggressive and fast-growing. These include uterine serous cancer and uterine carcinosarcoma.

Endometrial cancer is among the most common cancers in women.

It depends upon the type of endometrial cancer. Some endometrial cancer types grow rapidly, while some grow at a slower rate. It may also vary from one patient to another. There are type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancers, of which, type 1 endometrial cancer is more common and has a slow growth rate, and type 2 endometrial cancer is less common and has a rapid growth rate.

In stage 3, endometrial cancer would have spread to fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and vagina, along with the nearby lymph nodes.

The commonly observed endometrial cancer symptoms in stage 3 patients include abnormal bleeding, severe pain and discomfort, hampered menstrual cycles, tiredness, sudden weight loss, and difficulty urinating.