The main symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal uterine bleeding, which may manifest itself early in the disease and occurs in more than 90% of cases of endometrial cancer. Other symptoms that may also be present include pain or feeling of heaviness in the pelvis and purulent vaginal discharge.
Uterine bleeding in women in the postmenopausal is a strong indication of endometrial cancer, since most of the patients affected by the tumor are at that stage.
These women may also present vaginal discharge white or yellow, weeks or months before bleeding begins.
Out-of-menstrual vaginal bleeding in women in the premenopausal should also be investigated.
When cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis), signs and symptoms may appear related to other organs that have been affected by the disease, such as:
- Constipation (intestines);
- Difficulty urinating (bladder);
- Cough, shortness of breath (lungs);
- Jaundice (liver);
- Presence of lymph nodes or nodules;
- Vaginal tumor.
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries. The risk factors to develop the tumor include estrogen therapy, absence of chronic ovulation, obesity, arterial hypertension, age between 40 and 50 years, genetic predisposition, first menstruation, late menopause, among others.
Endometrial cancer has treatment, but it is important that it is started as soon as possible. Consult a gynecologist in case of abnormal uterine bleeding, especially if you are in post or premenopausal.
Learn more at: Does Endometrial Cancer Have Cure?
