Unusual vaginal bleeding may be the first sign of uterine cancer, a type of cancer that usually occurs during or after menopause, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer can occur in the tissues of the uterus or in the uterine lining. Both types of cancer can be treated with surgery and treatments to kill cancer cells.
The Uterus
The uterus, or womb, is a pear-shaped organ in the lower abdomen. The uterus holds a growing fetus during a pregnancy. Each month, a lining of blood and tissue build up on the uterine walls in anticipation of a pregnancy. During a pregnancy this lining, called the endometrium, is used to cushion the fetus. If a pregnancy does not occur, the bloody lining is shed through the vagina and a woman experiences a menstrual period. Cancer occurs when new cells form in the uterus when they are not needed and old cells do not die, according to the National Cancer Institute. These extra cells clump together to form a tumor.
Types
Uterine sarcoma develops in the tissues of the uterus, while endometrial cancer develops in the endometrium. Nearly all cancers of the uterus start in the endometrium, according to the American Cancer Society.
Risk Factors
Women who are over age 50, have previously had an inherited form of colorectal cancer or are African-American are more likely to develop uterine cancer. Exposure to the female hormone estrogen can raise the risk of uterine cancer. Women who are obese, have never been pregnant, began menstruating at an early age, entered menopause later than usual or use estrogen-only medication to control menopause symptoms have a higher exposure to estrogen and may be at risk, according to the NCI. Women who have had endometrial hyperplasia also have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia is a potentially precancerous condition that occurs when there are an increased number of cells in the endometrial lining.
Symptoms
If a woman is still menstruating, heavy bleeding or any abnormal bleeding can be a symptom of uterine cancer. In menopausal women, any bleeding, spotting or unusual vaginal discharge may be a sign of cancer, although there may be other reasons that these symptoms are occurring. Other potential uterine cancer symptoms include pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, pain when urinating or difficulty urinating. In addition to other symptoms, a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen or fast-growing fibroids can be symptoms of a uterine sarcoma, according to the Woman's Cancer Network.
Treatment
Surgery to remove the uterus may be recommended for either form of uterine cancer. Lymph nodes will also be removed and tested for cancer. If cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it can spread to other parts of the body. Surgery may be the only form of treatment needed if the cancer has not spread. Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery or can be used after surgery to kill any lingering cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs may also be used to kill cancer cells. If a woman cannot tolerate surgery or radiation treatment, her doctor may recommend hormonal therapy, according to the NCI. During hormone therapy, women take pills that prevent cancer cells from using hormones to continue to grow.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Uterine Cancer
- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Uterus
- American Cancer Society: What is Endometrial Cancer?
- National Cancer Institute: Uterine Cancer: Who's at Risk
- Women's Cancer Network: What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Sarcoma?
