Late-stage symptoms of endometrial cancer

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on October 21, 2024
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Endometrial cancer is a common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system. In advanced stages, patients often experience irregular vaginal bleeding. In addition, there may be bloody discharge from the vagina. If an infection is present or there are signs of necrosis due to the cancer, there may also be purulent discharge or other foul odors. Additionally, there are more apparent symptoms such as pain, abdominal masses, and in late stages, the cancer may invade blood vessels, causing swelling in the lower limbs, or spread to nearby organs, such as the ureters, leading to renal damage. Over time, this can also lead to cachexia, fever, and other signs of systemic failure.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are uterine cancer and endometrial cancer the same?

Uterine cancer is divided into cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the epithelium and glandular tissue of the cervix, while endometrial cancer is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. The two types of cancer differ due to their different sites of origin. Accordingly, the examination and treatment methods adopted are also not completely the same based on the different sites of origin. However, both cervical and endometrial cancers are primarily treated with surgery, followed by corresponding radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is endometrial hyperplasia cancer?

Endometrial hyperplasia is not the same as endometrial cancer; it can be treated promptly. Endometrial cancer develops from ongoing endometrial hyperplasia, which can progress into atypical hyperplasia, a precancerous condition of the endometrium. Further development can lead to endometrial cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to treat endometrial hyperplasia actively to prevent its progression to endometrial cancer. Endometrial hyperplasia results from a lack of progesterone influence, causing the endometrium to remain in a proliferative state rather than transitioning to the secretory phase. With the influence of progesterone, the endometrium would not undergo hyperplasia; therefore, treating endometrial hyperplasia with progesterone is advisable.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is surgery necessary for endometrial cancer?

When a woman suffers from endometrial cancer, the primary treatment method is surgery, but there are some special circumstances. For example, if the lesion in the woman is relatively minor, it is atypical hyperplasia, which is a precancerous condition, or it is in the late stage of the disease, or in cases of recurrent endometrial cancer. At this time, treatment can be administered using progestogen drugs, applying high-dose long-term oral intake of effective progestogens, which can suppress the cancerous transformation of the endometrial lining and inhibit the further proliferation of cancer cells. Generally, it involves continuous oral administration for 12 weeks, which is three months, followed by a diagnostic curettage to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the drug. In addition, radiation therapy can also be considered.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?

Patients with endometrial cancer mainly experience symptoms in three areas: First, obvious symptoms caused by local tumors in the uterus, such as irregular vaginal bleeding, changes in the menstrual cycle, a sense of fullness and dull pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area, along with significant discomfort and pain. Second, clinical symptoms caused by metastatic lesions. Endometrial cancer can spread through three pathways, which after dissemination can cause a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, headache, vomiting, movement disorders, chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Some patients may also experience bone pain. Third, systemic symptoms, which are typically seen in advanced stages of endometrial cancer and commonly include cachexia, fever, and others.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a thick endometrium the same as cancer?

Endometrial thickening is not necessarily cancerous. Causes of endometrial thickening generally include irregular hyperplasia or endometrial polyps, both of which can lead to thickening of the endometrium, but this is not necessarily indicative of cancer. Whether it is endometrial cancer is usually determined if patients with endometrial thickening do not show clear improvement after treatment with medication. Typically, a curettage procedure is performed to collect tissue for pathological examination. If the pathology report indicates endometrial cancer or precancerous lesions, then it will be reported. Therefore, endometrial thickening is not necessarily indicative of endometrial cancer, and it can occur with conditions like endometrial polyps or irregular endometrial hyperplasia. Treatment at this stage should be based on the pathological results. Thus, while endometrial thickening should be taken seriously, it is not necessarily cancerous.