What are the typical symptoms of endometrial cancer?

Typical symptoms of endometrial cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, pelvic mass, and anemia.

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding is the most typical symptom of endometrial cancer, which is the recurrence of vaginal bleeding one year after menopause. The amount of bleeding may be heavy or small. Premenopausal patients present with irregular menstrual cycles, prolonged menstrual periods, or increased menstrual flow. This kind of bleeding may be related to the invasion of endometrial blood vessels by cancer tissue, and the diagnosis needs to be confirmed through diagnostic dilation and curettage or hysteroscopy.

2. Vaginal discharge

About 25% of patients will have bloody vaginal discharge or serous discharge. In the late stage, purulent and bloody vaginal discharge with foul odor may occur due to necrosis of cancer tissue and infection. The amount of discharge usually increases with the progression of the disease and needs to be differentiated from benign diseases such as vaginitis and cervicitis.

3. Lower abdominal pain

When cancer invades the myometrium or involves the cervical canal, it may cause distended or spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen. If the tumor compresses the ureter and causes hydronephrosis, radiating pain in the lower back may occur. The degree of pain is positively correlated with the extent of the lesion.

4. Pelvic mass

Gynecological examination of late-stage patients may reveal an enlarged uterus or fixed pelvic mass, which is a sign of extrauterine spread of the tumor. The mass is hard in texture, irregular in shape, and may be accompanied by tenderness. The extent of infiltration needs to be evaluated through imaging examinations.

5. Anemia and related symptoms

Long-term blood loss can lead to anemia symptoms such as fatigue and heart palpitations. In severe cases, pale complexion and difficulty breathing can occur. Laboratory tests show a decrease in hemoglobin, and some patients are accompanied by wasting manifestations such as weight loss.

It is recommended that those who experience the above symptoms consult a gynecologist promptly and complete ultrasound, tumor marker detection and other examinations. In daily life, you should keep your vulva clean, avoid using estrogen-containing health products, and keep your weight within a normal range. Women over 40 years old are recommended to undergo annual gynecological examinations, and high-risk groups may consider regular endometrial biopsy screening.