The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. It
may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood.
After menopause, any vaginal bleeding is abnormal.
These symptoms may be caused by uterine cancer or by other health problems.
Women with these symptoms should tell their doctor so that any problem can be
diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms that suggest uterine cancer, your doctor will try to
find out what's causing the problems.
You may have a physical exam and blood tests. Also, you may have one or more
of the following tests:
Pelvic exam: Your doctor can check your uterus, vagina, and nearby tissues
for any lumps or changes in shape or size.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound device uses sound waves that can't be heard by
humans. The sound waves make a pattern of echoes as they bounce off organs
inside the pelvis. The echoes create a picture of your uterus and nearby
tissues. The picture can show a uterine tumor. For a better view of the uterus,
the device may be inserted into the vagina (transvaginal ultrasound).
Biopsy: The removal of tissue to look for cancer cells is a biopsy. A thin
tube is inserted through the vagina into your uterus. Your doctor uses gentle
scraping and suction to remove samples of tissue. A pathologist examines the
tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. In most cases, a biopsy is
the only sure way to tell whether cancer is present.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions before having a biopsy:
Why do I need a biopsy?
How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
What is the chance of infection or bleeding after the biopsy? Are there
any other risks?
How soon will I know the results? How do I get a copy of the pathology
report?
If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? When?
Grade
If cancer is found, the pathologist studies tissue samples from the uterus
under a microscope to learn the grade of the tumor. The grade tells how much the
tumor tissue differs from normal uterine tissue. It may suggest how fast the
tumor is likely to grow.
Tumors with higher grades tend to grow faster than those with lower grades.
Tumors with higher grades are also more likely to spread. Doctors use tumor
grade along with other factors to suggest treatment options.
Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. Treatment of endometriosis can be with medication or surgery.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder, or pain during a bowel movement. Treatment options vary from surgery to medication.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Benign uterine growths are tissue enlargements of the female womb (uterus). Three types of benign uterine growths are uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine polyps. Symptoms include: abdominal pressure, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Diagnosis and treatment of benign uterine growths depends upon the type of growth.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
Endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, affects the endometrium of the uterus. It's the most common invasive cancer of the female reproductive system. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, taking estrogen-only hormone therapy, early menstruation, late menopause, and never being pregnant.
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