Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer or womb cancer is a term to describe the cancers of the uterus or womb. There are two types of uterine cancer—endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. The cancer treatment often involves a hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus.
- Endometrial cancer might develop in the inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, and it is one of the most common uterus cancers affecting the reproductive system.
- Uterine sarcoma develops in the uterus muscle wall, called the myometrium, a rare type of cancer.
Uterine cancer symptoms
The primary symptoms of womb cancer can include:
- Post menopause bleeding
- Unusually heavy period
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Vaginal discharge changes
- Swelling or lump in the abdomen or between hip bones
- Lower back pain or pain between the hip bones
- Pain during sex
- Blood in the urine
Uterine cancer causes
People with a womb can develop womb cancer, including women, trans, intersex people, and non-binary people. People who had womb removal (hysterectomy) cannot develop womb cancer. Having an increased level of a hormone called oestrogen can raise the chances of developing cancer. You might have a high level of oestrogen, if:
- You are overweight
- You are under hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Never given birth
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome
- Undergone menopause only after the age of 55
Other reasons to develop womb cancer:
- Diabetes
- Genetic
- Inherited Lynch syndrome, a rare gene
- Under certain medications like Tamoxifen
- Underwent radiotherapy on your pelvis
Womb cancer treatments
The treatments for womb cancer will depend on:
- Size of the cancer
- The exact location of the cancer
- The spread
- Your overall general health
The treatments will include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022