- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Enlarged uterus
- Pain during intercourse
- Unexpected weight loss
- Weakness
- Pain in the lower abdomen, back or legs.
Because endometrial cancer begins inside the uterus, it does not usually show up in the results of a Pap test. For this reason, a sample of endometrial tissue must be removed and checked under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Some common procedures used are:
- Endometrial biopsy: The removal of tissue from the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) by inserting a thin, flexible tube through the cervix and into the uterus.
- Dilatation and curettage: A procedure to remove samples of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated and a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue.
- Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
- Ultra-sound: A procedure used to examine the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and bladder.
Five types of standard treatment are used:
- Surgery -Surgery (removing the cancer in an operation) is the most common treatment for uterine cancer.
- Radiation therapy-Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
- Chemotherapy-Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing
- Hormone therapy-Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that removes hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing.
- Biologic therapy-Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer.
- Painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Lack of sleep/distrubed sleep
- Skin and nail related problems
- Bladder problems or unable to hold urine
- Sexual health is deteriorated, decreased sexual desires
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Multiple organ swellings, leg swellings
- Nerve related problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Mouth sores and ulcers
- Anemia, bleeding in different body parts, easy bruising, increased infections in different body parts
- After the treatment, the patient is advised to get regular health checkups done.
- The healthcare team will look for side effects, health of patients and any signs of cancer recurrence.
- Pelvic examinations and follow up blood tests are done.
- Regular physical examinations and imaging tests like X Rays are done.
- The immediate and late side effects are to be told to the doctor in the follow up appointments, which are then managed with tests, medicines, therapies, etc.