Cancer More Cancer Types Endometrial Cancer Guide Endometrial Cancer Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 27, 2021 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Complications When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Next in Endometrial Cancer Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Endometrial Cancer Endometrial cancer involves the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, and is by far the most frequently diagnosed type of uterine cancer. The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which includes bleeding after menopause, changes in bleeding before menopause, and bleeding in between periods. Other symptoms can include pain during sex, pelvic pain, abnormal discharge, and fatigue. Illustration by Joshua Seong, Verywell Frequent Symptoms In general terms, the most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Approximatley 90 percent of women have this symptom, according to the American Cancer Society. Before Menopause If you haven't yet gone through menopause, abnormal vaginal bleeding includes: Periods that are heavy and prolonged (lasting longer than seven days)Heavy spotting that occurs between periodsPeriods that occur every 21 days or soonerVaginal bleeding that occurs before and/or after sex After Menopause Any vaginal bleeding or spotting that starts a year or more after you've gone through menopause is considered abnormal and requires an evaluation by your healthcare provider. Uterine cancer is not the only cause of vaginal bleeding after menopause. Fibroids, thyroid disorders, polyps, and hormone replacement therapy can also cause vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal women. Other symptoms of endometrial cancer that can occur before or after menopause include: A watery or blood-tinged vaginal dischargePain during sexual intercourse Symptoms that may occur in the later stages of cancer include: Pelvic pain or cramping Abdominal pain Being able to feel a mass or tumor in your pelvis Losing weight without trying Fatigue Bloating Changes in bowel or bladder habits Feeling full quickly Complications The only potential complication of endometrial cancer symptoms is anemia, a low red blood cell count. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, cold hands and/or feet, irregular heartbeat, headaches, shortness of breath, pale or yellow-tinged skin, chest pain, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. This kind of anemia is caused by an iron deficiency in your body as a result of blood loss. Thankfully, it's easily reversed through a diet that's rich in vitamins and/or taking iron supplements, as well as by treating your endometrial cancer, which will stop the bleeding altogether. Speak with your oncologist before beginning any supplements. While you're being tested for endometrial cancer, there is the risk of your uterus being perforated (torn) during the endometrial biopsy or dilation and curettage (D&C), but the chances of this are slim. The risk is slightly higher for women who have been through menopause or who have been pregnant recently. When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see your healthcare provider if you have any of the above-listed symptoms of endometrial cancer. They may turn out to indicate something else, but if you do have cancer, the earlier it's detected, the better your outcome will be. Keep in mind that if you have any abnormal discharge at any stage of life, even if it's not bloody, you may still have endometrial cancer and should see your healthcare provider. Discharge that isn't bloody is associated with around 10 percent of cases of endometrial cancer. If you're experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking through one sanitary pad an hour), you should go to the emergency room. Endometrial Cancer Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Frequently Asked Questions What are the early signs of endometrial cancer? There are often few symptoms in the early stages of endometrial cancer. If they do occur, they may be non-specific and easily attributed to other causes. The most common early signs and symptoms include:Abnormal vaginal bleeding and spottingAbnormal vaginal dischargeChanges in the menstrual cycle At what stage do symptoms of endometrial cancer commonly occur? Because the symptoms are so non-specific in the early stages, around 30% of cases are diagnosed when the cancer is advanced (stages 3 and 4), typically causing pelvic pain, unintended weight loss, and a perceivable pelvic mass. Even so, the vast majority of cases are diagnosed during the early stages (stages 1 and 2). What are the signs of metastatic endometrial cancer? When endometrial cancer spreads (metastasizes), it will most often affect the bladder, rectum, vagina, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. Signs may include frequent or painful urination, pain during intercourse, rectal pain or discharge, and persistent pelvic cramping. There may also be generalized symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss. What are the signs of endometrial cancer recurrence? It depends on whether the recurrence is local, regional, or distant. While abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and a palpable mass are the most common signs, other frequent symptoms are urinary frequency or pain, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, persistent cough, chest pain, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Causes and Risk Factors of Endometrial Cancer 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer. National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: uterine cancer. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Endometrial cancer. Moffitt Cancer Center. Where does metastatic uterine cancer spread to? Jeppesen MM, Mogensen O, Hansen DG, Iachina M, Korsholm M, Jensen PT. Detection of recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer – the role of symptoms and routine follow-up. Acta Oncologica. 2017;56(2):262-9. doi:10.1080/0284186X.2016.1267396 By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit