What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer ?

The main symptoms of endometrial cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding, menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), or metrorrhagia (bleeding outside of or between periods).

However, before menopause, abnormal vaginal bleeding is often caused by fibroids. After menopause, more than eight out of ten women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have experienced metrorrhagia. Metrorrhagia is particularly concerning when it occurs years after an apparently normal but often late menopause.

In about 10% of cases, patients experience vaginal discharge without visible bleeding (leukorrhea), with or without blood-streaked discharge. Leukorrhea is most often caused by benign conditions such as infections. Any abnormal vaginal discharge should be investigated by a gynecologist.

Other symptoms may also occur. These include lower abdominal (pelvic) pain, though this pain may have other causes. Newly occurring pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) is a relatively common symptom but is often underreported by patients.

Difficulty urinating or pain during urination are also relatively frequent symptoms. However, urinary tract infections (cystitis) can cause similar symptoms, especially in postmenopausal women, where such infections are common.

More rarely, a palpable mass in the lower abdomen may be detected during a clinical examination.