The 7 Most Common Uterine Cancer Symptoms, According to Doctors
Uterine cancer can cause pelvic pain when the cancer gets big enough that it compresses nearby structures and nerves that surround the uterus, says Dr. Schram. Pain can also occur when the body recognizes a tumor in the uterus as abnormal and starts to cramp up in an effort to dispel it, Dr. Soliman explains.
In later-stage uterine cancers, pain can occur when the cancer spreads beyond the uterus and into the pelvis or abdomen. In some cases, this spread can lead to fluid build-up in the pelvis or abdomen, which can, in turn, trigger discomfort, Dr. Schram says.
Pain from uterine cancer can be continuous, or it can come and go. It may even come on during vaginal sex, if there’s external pressure put on a mass in the uterus due to intercourse. The severity of this pelvic pain, however, isn’t uniform: Some patients may feel more discomfort than actual pain, says Dr. Matulonis; others might feel a sharper kind of pain.
Bloating
Bloating is a much more common symptom for ovarian cancer than uterine cancer, but it can occur in either cancer type, says Dr. Schram. This happens when the cancer spreads from the uterus to the abdomen and causes fluid to build up in the abdomen. Sometimes, Dr. Schram adds, when the cancer mass is large enough, its presence alone can cause subjective bloating.
Gastrointestinal issues
When uterine cancer spreads beyond the uterus and into the abdomen and pelvis, it can sometimes block off parts of the bowel and trigger GI issues, says Dr. Schram. These include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or early satiety (getting full fast).
Unintentional weight loss
When uterine cancer spreads from the uterus and into the abdomen, the cancer can push against the stomach and cause unintentional weight loss, says Dr. Matulonis. Weight loss can also occur in later stage uterine cancer because any advanced cancer can trigger inflammation in the body. This inflammation can eventually decrease your appetite and sometimes lead to weight loss, says Dr. Schram.
Increased urge to pee
If the cancer mass in your uterus gets big enough, it can push against your bladder. As a result, the bladder isn’t able to fill as much as usual and you may feel compelled to empty it more often, explains Dr. Matulonis.
You might not experience any symptoms
Many patients with uterine cancer have no symptoms at all—or you might feel just generally unwell, without anything specific to point to, says Dr. Schram. This lack of symptoms is common with gynecologic cancers, although it’s not common with all cancers, That’s because your uterus is made to be able to expand—say, to fit a tumor, in the case of cancer—without significant consequence to the nearby structures, explains Dr. Schram.
Overall, if you’re experiencing any of the above warning signs, or any other alarming symptoms, it’s always best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. There, they can do a proper physical exam, and possibly perform an ultrasound to look at the inside of your uterus—the results from those exams will determine whether a biopsy or further testing is needed for a more accurate diagnosis.
