Uterus Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Stages & Treatment

Do you know unusual vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain can be signs of uterine cancer?

Changes in the uterus cell can create this type of cancer. Hence, individuals need to be aware of uterus cancer symptoms and their causes.

Want to know more about this condition? Read along!

Uterine cancer is the most common type of cancer that occurs in women’s reproductive organs. It refers to the medical condition where cells comprising uterine tissue grow abnormally. This abnormal cell growth may form a mass. Tumours occurring in the uterus can be cancerous or benign.

A cancerous or malignant tumour can move to other body parts. On the other hand, a benign tumour grows but usually does not invade other body parts.

The uterus (also known as the womb) is a hollow organ that supports foetal development until birth. This organ looks like an upside-down pear whose bottom is cervix, middle is corpus and top is fundus. The inner layer of the uterus is called endometrium, and the outer layer is called myometrium.

There are two types of uterine cancer. These are as follows -

• Endometrial Cancer: Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer, which makes up 80% of this disease. This type of cancer develops from the cells in the endometrium. Endometrial cancers affect a woman's reproductive organ.
• Uterine Sarcoma: This type of cancer originates in the myometrium, the muscle wall of the uterus. It can also develop in the supporting walls of uterine glands. Uterine Sarcoma is very rare and accounts for 2%-4% of uterine cancer.

The Uterus cancer symptoms depend on the type, i.e., Endometrial Cancer or Uterine Sarcoma. These are discussed separately.

Warning Signs of Endometrial Cancer

Abnormal bleeding is the most common sign of Endometrial cancer. Other common signs include -

• Pain during urination
• Abnormal weight loss
• Pain during intercourse
• Unusual vaginal discharge without blood
• Pain in the Pelvic area

Warning Signs of Uterine Sarcoma

Uterine Sarcoma is a rare type of Uterus cancer. Women with Uterine Sarcoma can notice unusual bleeding or spotting. However, there are other symptoms which include,

• Lump or growth in the vagina
• Frequent urination
• Pain in abdomen
• Feeling of fullness

Individuals can experience these types of symptoms in other diseases as well. Hence, they must visit a doctor to diagnose the cause.

The exact reasons for uterine cancer are yet to be discovered. However, the mutated cells grow and continue dividing, which form a mass called a tumour due to some changes in uterus cells.

However, there are some risk factors that can trigger uterine cancer. These include -

• Women with hyperplasia (endometrial growth)
• Obese women
• Women whose menses started before the age of 12
• Estrogen therapy
• Radiation to the pelvis
• Menopause after the age of 55

The treatment options available for Uterus cancer include,

• Surgery: Medical professionals perform surgery to remove the uterus (via hysterectomy). They also remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries (via salpingo-oophorectomy).
• Hormone therapy: Here, doctors use medications to decrease the hormone levels that accelerate cancer cells growth.
• Chemotherapy: Doctors use two or more chemicals to kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: Professionals use external or internal radiation to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted drug therapy: Doctors use medicines to identify the specific weakness of cancer cells to kill them.
• Immunotherapy: In this treatment procedure, doctors stress enhancing the immunity system to fight cancer cells.
• Supportive care: Here, doctors provide specialised medical care to reduce pain and fight against other symptoms while recovering from a cancerous condition.

These treatment options depend on the uterine cancer type, stages and overall health condition.

Since the causes of uterine cancer are unknown, the prevention methods are unclear. However, individuals can reduce the chances of uterine cancer by following certain methods.

These are discussed below -

• Taking Contraceptive Pills or Using a Progestin-secreting Intrauterine Device (IUD)- Taking birth control pills or using IUD can control oestrogen and progestin. This will help maintain hormonal balance and reduce the risk of overgrowth of the uterus lining by up to 30% (when taken for a longer period).
• Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels- For a diabetic patient, regular monitoring of blood glucose can reduce the risk of developing uterine cancer.
• Shedding Extra Weight- Excess fatty tissue can produce a high amount of oestrogen in women. Nonetheless, overweight women or individuals have higher chances of developing cancer in general.

The above-mentioned piece discusses uterus cancer symptoms, causes, stages, treatment and prevention methods. As the actual causes of this type of cancer are not yet known to doctors, you must be attentive to warning signs of both types of uterine cancer and consult doctors if experienced any of those.