Uterine cancer

What is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in your uterus.

There are 2 main types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.

Endometrial cancer occurs in the lining of the uterus. It’s the most diagnosed gynaecological cancer in Australia, mainly affecting women over 50.

Uterine sarcoma is a rare uterine cancer that forms in either the muscle of the uterus or the cells in the lining of the uterus.

Symptoms of uterine cancer

The most common symptom of uterine cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding, particularly bleeding after menopause.

Other common symptoms include:

• periods that are heavier than usual, or a change to your periods
• bleeding in between periods
• periods that continue without a break.

Less common symptoms include:

• watery, smelly discharge
• unexplained weight loss
• discomfort or pain in your belly
• painful sex
• difficulty weeing.

Talk to your doctor if you are worried about any of these symptoms. They may not be due to cancer, but it’s important to check.

Causes of uterine cancer

We don’t know the exact cause of uterine cancer, but it may be associated with a family history of cancer, certain genetic conditions and other health factors. It may also be associated with endometrial hyperplasia (a condition where the lining of the uterus is thicker than normal).

How is uterine cancer diagnosed?

You can’t screen for uterine cancer, so it’s important to see your doctor if you notice any symptoms.

Uterine cancer is usually diagnosed via a clinical examination. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, your medical history and your family medical history.

They may do a physical examination to check your:

• vulva, vagina and cervix
• uterus and pelvis.

They might also ask you to do blood and urine (wee) tests.

If your examination and test results suggest you may have uterine cancer, your doctor will refer you to a gynaecological oncologist (a specialist in gynaecological cancers) straight away.

You may need more tests to diagnose uterine cancer. For example:

• an internal ultrasound via the vagina – to look at your ovaries, uterus and endometrium
• an endometrial biopsy – to check a sample of cells from your endometrium
• hysteroscopy and biopsy (via the vagina) – to see inside your uterus and take a sample of cells from your endometrium
• imaging tests, for example, CT and MRI scans – to check if cancer has spread outside your uterus.

Treatments for uterine cancer

Treatment for uterine cancer depends on the extent of the cancer. It may include:

• surgery
• radiotherapy
• hormone therapy (usually in advanced stages)
• chemotherapy
• palliative treatment.

Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can cause menopause. Learn more about medically induced menopause.

When to see your doctor about uterine cancer

It’s important to see your doctor if you notice any symptoms of uterine cancer. As with many cancers, early detection leads to the best treatment outcomes.

Online resources about uterine cancer

For more information about uterine cancer, visit:

• the Cancer Australia website
• the Cancer Council website.

If you would like to speak to a nurse for general information and support, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday).