The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, although most people with abnormal bleeding do not have cancer. In addition, there are other symptoms that you should recognize as a step for the prevention of this cancer. Read more about the signs and symptoms of early uterine cancer below!
What is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that grows and develops in the uterus, specifically in the cavity, muscles, and uterine wall. The uterus is a pear-shaped organ that is where the fetus grows during pregnancy. Uterine cancer begins to occur when healthy cells in the uterus change and grow out of control, forming a mass or tumor that can be cancerous or benign. Uterine cancer is divided into two types, including uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer.
Read Too : Uterine Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer in Women
Characteristics of uterine cancer may be different for each person depending on the type, endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma. Most women with uterine cancer have endometrial cancer, or tumors that develop in the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium). Uterine sarcomas develop in the muscles or other tissues of the intestine, although they are rare. Here are some symptoms of uterine cancer:
1. Pelvic Pain
Symptoms of early uterine cancer are pelvic pain and feeling a mass (tumor) in the uterus. These are symptoms of uterine sarcoma, a type of uterine cancer. The sufferer may have a feeling of fullness in the abdomen or pelvis and experience pain in the lower abdomen below the navel that comes and goes or occurs continuously.
2. Abnormal Bleeding or Spotting
About 85% of patients with uterine sarcoma have irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding after menopause. Symptoms of uterine cancer are more common with conditions other than cancer, but it's important to get irregular bleeding checked as soon as possible.
3. Vaginal Discharge
Some women who have uterine sarcoma cancer experience vaginal discharge that does not contain blood, sometimes smells bad. Vaginal discharge tends to signal an infection or other non-cancerous condition, but it can also be a sign of cancer. If you have abnormal discharge from your vagina, it is important to see a doctor.
4. Weight Loss Without Cause
Weight loss without cause can also be a symptom of uterine cancer, especially in the type of endometrial cancer. These symptoms are more common in advanced stages of cancer. However, delays in getting medical treatment can make this cancer progress further, thereby lowering the chances of effective treatment.
5. Difficult or Painful Urination
Not only causes pain during sexual intercourse, uterine cancer also causes difficulty or pain when urinating. These symptoms may occur due to the growth of a uterine tumor mass that presses on the urinary tract and bladder.
6. Pain During Sexual Intercourse
Treatment of uterine cancer usually begins with a hysterectomy, surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Because feminine hormones, particularly steroid, will play a job within the development of female internal reproductive organ cancer, treatment usually includes removal of the ovaries furthermore because the female internal reproductive organ. This procedure can be a problem with sexual intercourse. The female hormones produced by the ovaries help keep vaginal tissues moist and flexible. Removing the ovaries can stop the production of these hormones, which causes a dry and tight vagina. This condition can eventually cause pain during sexual intercourse.
7. Other Symptoms
Symptoms of tumors in the uterus usually occur in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In addition to the symptoms previously mentioned, some conditions that may be a symptom of uterine cancer include: Pain in the abdomen. Feel full all the time. No appetite. Tired for no apparent reason. Back and leg pain. Swelling in the legs. Frequent urination. Menstruation that is heavier than usual. Constant bleeding (continuous menstruation). Enlarged uterus (can be detected during a pelvic exam).
When is the Right Time to Go to the Doctor?
See your doctor right away if you experience bleeding after menopause, change your normal menstrual pattern, or experience other symptoms of uterine cancer. About 1 in 10 cases of vaginal bleeding after menopause caused by uterine cancer, it is unlikely that the symptoms are caused by this. However, if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, it is important to find out the cause. Bleeding may be the result of several other potentially serious health conditions, including:
- Endometriosis. This is a condition in which tissue that is characteristic of the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus.
- Fibroids or polyps. Noncancerous growths that can develop in the uterus
Treatment for Uterine Cancer
Surgery (hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) will be the only treatment needed for most people with uterine cancer, especially if the cancer is detected early and has not spread to other parts of the body . But not only surgery, there are other treatments for uterine cancer symptoms. Here are some other treatments for uterine cancer:
- Radiation therapy (radiotherapy). This treatment uses x-rays to kill or injure cancer cells. Radiotherapy is usually as an adjunct treatment to reduce cancer recurrence.
- Chemotherapy. It is used to treat certain types of uterine cancer, or when the cancer comes back after surgery or radiotherapy, or if the cancer does not respond to hormone treatment. Chemotherapy with drugs that are injected into a vein aims to control the cancer and relieve symptoms.
- Hormone therapy. If the cancer has spread or if the uterine cancer symptoms recur, hormone therapy is usually given. This therapy is also sometimes used if surgery is not an option. Progesterone is the main hormone treatment for uterine cancer, and is available in tablet or injection form.
- Palliative care. In some cases of uterine cancer, the doctor may talk to the patient about palliative care. This treatment is to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing cancer symptoms. It relieves pain and helps manage other symptoms. Treatment may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other drug therapy.
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