Uterine Cancer - Early Signs, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment Explained

Uterine cancer is a general term for cancers that start in the uterus (womb), the organ where a pregnancy grows. Most uterine cancers begin in the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) and are called endometrial cancers. Less commonly, cancers can arise in the uterine muscle (myometrium); these are called uterine sarcomas and behave differently. Because abnormal uterine bleeding often occurs early, many uterine cancers are found at a curable stage. This article explains what uterine cancer is, its common symptoms, how it is diagnosed and staged, today's treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy), recovery and prevention. 

Note: This guide is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Personal decisions should be made with a qualified gynecologic oncology team. 

Overview: What Is Uterine Cancer and Why Early Detection Matters 

Uterine cancer starts when cells in the uterus develop DNA changes that cause uncontrolled growth. There are two broad groups: 

• Endometrial carcinoma: Cancer of the uterine lining; the most common type. 

• Uterine sarcomas: Cancers of the uterine muscle or supporting tissues (e.g., leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma); rare but often more aggressive. 

Why early detection matters: 

• Many endometrial cancers are diagnosed at Stage I because abnormal bleeding prompts evaluation, leading to excellent cure rates. 

• Early diagnosis typically allows less intensive treatment, faster recovery, and better long-term quality of life. 

• Timely assessment of postmenopausal bleeding or persistent abnormal bleeding at any age is the single most important step to catch disease early. 

How common is it? 

• Uterine (endometrial) cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in many countries, most often diagnosed after menopause but also seen in perimenopausal and, less commonly, younger individuals. 

Types of Uterine Cancer 

Doctors classify uterine cancers by the cell type under the microscope and, increasingly, by molecular (genetic) features. This classification guides treatment choices and outcomes. 

Doctors classify uterine cancers by the cell type under the microscope and, increasingly, by molecular (genetic) features. This classification guides treatment choices and outcomes. 

Endometrial carcinoma (lining of the uterus) 

• Endometrioid adenocarcinoma (most common; often hormone‑related; frequently detected early). 

• Serous carcinoma (more aggressive; may present at higher stage). 

• Clear cell carcinoma (less common; higher risk behavior). 

• Mixed histology (e.g., serous/endometrioid). 

• Carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Müllerian tumor; aggressive, treated like high‑risk endometrial cancer). 

Molecular groups (increasingly used to personalize therapy) 

• POLE-ultramutated. 

• Mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) / MSI-high. 

• p53-abnormal (copy-number high). 

• No specific molecular profile (copy-number low). 

Cancers with certain gene changes often respond better to modern treatments like immunotherapy. 

Uterine sarcomas (muscle/supporting tissues) 

• Leiomyosarcoma. 

• Endometrial stromal sarcoma (low-grade or high-grade). 

• Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. 

These are biologically distinct from endometrial cancers and require specialized management. 

Precancerous changes 

• Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (lower risk). 

• A pre-cancer change in the lining of the womb that needs treatment and close follow-up (atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia). 

Causes: Known or Suspected Contributors 

Most uterine cancers develop from a mix of hormonal, metabolic, genetic, and environmental factors: 

• Estrogen given without progesterone balance (for example, in certain hormone therapies) can raise the risk by stimulating excess growth of the endometrium and leading to abnormal changes. 

• Excess body weight increases estrogen levels in the body and is one of the strongest preventable risk factors. 

• Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation (e.g., in PCOS) contribute to risk. 

• Inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) substantially increase risk. 

• Prior pelvic radiation, tamoxifen use, and rare genetic factors play roles in some cases. 

Many people with uterine cancer have multiple influences rather than a single cause. 

Risk Factors: Lifestyle, Genetic, Environmental, and Medical 

Having a risk factor does not mean uterine cancer will occur; it only increases likelihood. 

Age and life stage 

• Most cases occur after menopause; risk rises with age. 

Hormonal and reproductive 

• Long-standing anovulation (as in PCOS). 

• Early menarche (first period) or late menopause (more years of estrogen exposure). 

• Never having given birth (nulliparity). 

• Estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause without progesterone (when uterus is present). 

Metabolic and lifestyle 

• Obesity (strongest modifiable risk). 

• Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, sedentary lifestyle. 

• Diet low in fiber/fruits/vegetables; weight gain in adulthood. 

Medical treatments and conditions 

• Tamoxifen (breast cancer therapy) slightly increases risk; benefits often outweigh risks but warrant monitoring. 

• Prior pelvic radiation. 

Genetic predisposition 

• Lynch syndrome; family history of colorectal, endometrial, or ovarian cancers. 

What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Cancer? 

The most important warning sign is any bleeding after menopause. This should always be checked by a doctor. 

Common early signs: 

Abnormal uterine bleeding: 

• Any bleeding after menopause (postmenopausal bleeding). 

• Bleeding between periods. 

• Unusually heavy, prolonged, or frequent periods. 

Other symptoms: 

• Watery, pink, or brown vaginal discharge. 

• Spotting or bleeding after sex. 

Advanced symptoms: 

• Pelvic pain, pressure, or cramping. 

• Pain during sex. 

• Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, anemia-related shortness of breath (from chronic blood loss). 

• Changes in bowel or bladder habits (less common early). 

If you have bleeding after menopause, or heavy/irregular bleeding at any age that does not settle, see your doctor right away. This is the most important warning sign of uterine cancer. 

How Is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed? 

Diagnosis brings together medical history, exam, imaging, and tissue sampling to confirm cancer and plan care. 

Medical history and pelvic exam 

• Review of bleeding patterns, menstrual history, medical conditions (PCOS, diabetes), medications (e.g., tamoxifen), and family history. 

• Pelvic exam to assess uterus, cervix, and surrounding areas (ovaries/tubes). 

Transvaginal ultrasound 

• Measures endometrial thickness and evaluates the uterus/ovaries. 

• Postmenopausal endometrial thickness above a threshold (commonly >4 mm) often prompts biopsy. 

The most important test is taking a small sample from the lining of the uterus (endometrial biopsy) 

• Office endometrial biopsy with a thin suction device to collect lining tissue. 

• If inconclusive or inadequate, hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage (D&C) to visualize and sample targeted areas. 

Imaging for staging (after cancer is confirmed) 

• MRI pelvis to assess depth of muscle wall invasion and cervix involvement. 

• CT chest/abdomen/pelvis to evaluate lymph nodes and distant spread. 

• PET-CT selectively for problem-solving. 

Laboratory tests 

• Complete blood count (anemia), kidney/liver function. 

• Tumor markers are not routinely diagnostic for endometrial cancer but may be used in sarcomas or advanced disease. 

• Testing for mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency to screen for Lynch syndrome and guide immunotherapy eligibility. 

Doctors use surgery and imaging to see how far the cancer has spread — whether it is only in the uterus, or has reached nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or distant organs. 

Staging and Grading: What They Mean 

Uterine cancer is typically staged surgically, based on findings at hysterectomy and lymph node assessment. 

FIGO staging (simplified for endometrial cancer) 

• Stage I: Confined to the uterus (IA: <50% muscle wall invasion; IB: ≥50% invasion). 

• Stage II: Tumor invades the cervical stroma. 

• Stage III: Local and/or regional spread (surrounding areas, vagina, supporting tissues, pelvic/higher lymph nodes). 

• Stage IV: Invasion of bladder/rectum or distant metastasis (e.g., lungs, liver). 

Grading (how abnormal tumor cells look) 

• Grade 1 (well-differentiated), Grade 2 (moderately), Grade 3 (poorly differentiated). 

• Higher grade generally indicates more aggressive behavior. 

Molecular profile 

• dMMR/MSI-high, POLE-ultramutated, p53-abnormal, and other markers refine prognosis and guide adjuvant therapy choices. 

Why it matters: 

• Stage, grade, and molecular features determine the need for lymph node mapping, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and/or immunotherapy. 

• Fertility-sparing options depend on very early stage, low grade, and careful selection. 

Treatment Options for Uterine Cancer 

Treatment is personalized by stage, grade, histology, molecular profile, age, overall health, and fertility goals. A multidisciplinary team—gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, fertility and menopause specialists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and psychosocial experts—coordinates care. 

Surgery 

Surgery is the cornerstone for most endometrial cancers and many uterine sarcomas. 

Standard approach (endometrial carcinoma) 

• Most people are treated with surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) and usually the ovaries and tubes. This is often done through small cuts (laparoscopic/robotic surgery), which helps recovery. 

• Sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy or pelvic/higher lymph node removal, based on risk and surgical findings. 

Uterine sarcomas 

• Total hysterectomy; routine morcellation is avoided because it can spread sarcoma cells. 

• Lymph node assessment is individualized (more often for endometrial carcinoma than for leiomyosarcoma). 

Fertility-sparing management (very selected endometrial carcinoma) 

• In very early, low-risk cases, young women who wish to have children may be offered hormonal tablets or an IUD instead of surgery, but with very close monitoring. 

• For carefully chosen patients with Grade 1, Stage IA (no muscle wall invasion) disease:  

• High-dose progestin therapy (oral and/or levonorgestrel-releasing IUD) with close surveillance and repeat biopsies. 

• Conversion to definitive surgery if disease persists, progresses, or once childbearing is complete. 

Recovery typically ranges from 2-4 weeks for minimally invasive surgery (longer for open procedures). Simple exercises and physiotherapy can help with strength and comfort after surgery. 

Medical Treatment 

Hormonal therapy (endometrial carcinoma) 

• Progestins (oral/IUD) for fertility-sparing early disease or for recurrent/metastatic hormone-sensitive tumors. 

• Aromatase inhibitors or selective estrogen modulators may be used in select scenarios. 

Chemotherapy 

• Medicines that kill cancer cells, often given through a vein. Common drugs are carboplatin and paclitaxel. 

• For higher-risk, advanced, or recurrent endometrial cancer. 

• For uterine sarcomas, regimens vary by subtype (e.g., doxorubicin, gemcitabine/docetaxel, trabectedin). 

Targeted therapy 

• Anti-angiogenic agents (e.g., bevacizumab) in select recurrent settings. 

• For endometrial cancer with specific alterations, targeted agents may be considered as evidence evolves. 

Immunotherapy 

• Some newer medicines help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. They work especially well if the tumor has certain genetic features. 

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective in mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR/MSI-high) endometrial cancers and are increasingly used earlier in the disease course. 

• Combinations (e.g., immunotherapy plus targeted therapy) can be considered for advanced disease, even in mismatch repair-proficient tumors, based on current guidelines and availability. 

Supportive care 

• Antiemetics, growth factors (when needed), pain management, nutrition, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation. 

• Menopause and bone health support if ovaries are removed (non-hormonal or tailored hormonal strategies after oncologic review). 

Radiation Therapy 

Radiation uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation reduces local recurrence risk and treats advanced or inoperable disease. 

Vaginal brachytherapy (internal radiation) 

• It may be given inside the vagina (brachytherapy) - focused dose to the upper vagina (common recurrence site) after surgery in selected early-stage, higher-risk patients. 

• Short outpatient treatments with minimal downtime. 

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) 

• or from outside (external beam therapy) - Pelvic radiation (and higher lymph nodes if needed) for selected stages or recurrent disease. 

• Modern techniques (IMRT/IGRT) shape dose to spare bowel, bladder, and bone marrow. 

Palliative radiation 

• Relieves symptoms such as bleeding, pain, or pressure from localized metastases. 

Proton Therapy 

Proton beams can reduce radiation dose to nearby organs due to limited exit dose. Considered in select re-irradiation scenarios or complex anatomy where bowel, bladder, kidneys, bone marrow, or spinal cord sparing is critical. For most patients, expertly planned photon IMRT/IGRT is sufficient. 

Prognosis: Survival, Outcomes, and What Affects Them 

Many people with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer are cured with surgery alone or with limited additional therapy. Outcomes depend on: 

• Stage at diagnosis (depth of muscle wall invasion, cervical and nodal status). 

• Histology and grade (endometrioid vs serous/clear cell/carcinosarcoma; Grade 1 vs 3). 

• Cancers with certain gene changes often respond better to modern treatments like immunotherapy (e.g., dMMR/MSI-high and POLE-ultramutated tend to respond well to modern therapies). 

• Surgical completeness, lymph node evaluation, and appropriate adjuvant therapy. 

• Overall health, metabolic status, and adherence to follow-up. 

Uterine sarcomas have more variable outcomes; early detection and specialized, sarcoma-focused care improve control and survival. 

Screening and Prevention: How to Lower Risk and Catch Problems Early 

There is no routine screening test for uterine cancer in the general population. Prevention and early detection focus on awareness and risk reduction. 

Know the key warning sign 

• Any vaginal bleeding after menopause is abnormal and needs prompt evaluation. 

• Persistent heavy, frequent, or irregular bleeding at any age should be assessed. 

Maintain metabolic health 

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 

• Exercise regularly and eat a fiber-rich, plant-forward diet. 

• Manage diabetes and insulin resistance; treat PCOS to restore hormonal balance. 

Discuss hormone therapy thoughtfully 

• If considering menopausal hormone therapy and the uterus is present, use combined estrogen-progesterone regimens (unless contraindicated) and review risks/benefits with a clinician. 

Genetic counseling and testing 

• For those with strong family histories or known Lynch syndrome; enables tailored surveillance and prevention strategies. 

Follow-up after precancer 

• Treat atypical hyperplasia/EIN and maintain close surveillance to prevent progression. 

For International Patients: Seamless Access and Support at Apollo 

Apollo Hospitals provides comprehensive, coordinated services for international patients: 

Pre-arrival medical review 

• Secure sharing of reports for a preliminary opinion and a tentative plan to help with travel and budgeting. 

Appointment and treatment coordination 

• Priority scheduling with gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology (including advanced planning and brachytherapy), medical oncology, radiology, pathology, fertility/menopause counseling, nutrition, physiotherapy, and psychosocial support. 

Travel and logistics 

• Assistance with medical visa invitations, airport pickup on request, guidance on nearby accommodation, and local transportation support. 

Language and cultural support 

• Interpreter services, patient navigators, and clear written care plans. 

Financial counseling 

• Transparent estimates, package options when feasible, insurance coordination, and support with international payments. 

Continuity of care 

• Detailed discharge summaries, survivorship plans (including menopause and bone health counseling), and teleconsultations; coordination with home-country clinicians for shared care. 

Recovery, Side Effects, and Follow-Up: What to Expect 

After surgery 

• Most minimally invasive procedures allow discharge in 1-2 days; return to light activities within 1-2 weeks (longer for open surgery). 

• Expect temporary fatigue, mild pain, and activity restrictions; pelvic floor and core strengthening help recovery. 

During adjuvant therapy 

• Brachytherapy causes minimal fatigue or discharge for a short period; EBRT may cause temporary bowel/bladder irritation and fatigue. 

• Chemotherapy side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair thinning/loss, and lowered blood counts; modern supportive care and dose adjustments improve tolerability. 

• Hormone or immunotherapy side effects are monitored closely and managed early. 

Long-term wellness 

• Menopause management and bone health support after ovary removal (tailored, safe strategies). 

• Sexual health counseling, vaginal moisturizers/dilators, and pelvic floor therapy to address dryness, elasticity, and comfort. 

• Nutrition, exercise, and mental health support to maintain strength and resilience. 

Follow-up schedule 

• Checkups are usually every 3-6 months at first, then less often as time goes by - typically every 3-6 months for the first 2-3 years, then every 6-12 months to year 5, and annually thereafter. 

• Visits include symptom review, pelvic exam, and tests/imaging when indicated by findings or risk. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Is uterine cancer curable? 

Many cases—especially early-stage endometrioid cancers—are curable with surgery alone or with limited additional therapy. Prognosis depends on stage, grade, histology, and molecular profile. 

What are the early warning signs? 

Any bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, unusually heavy or prolonged periods, or watery/pink/brown discharge. Prompt evaluation of these symptoms is key. 

How is uterine cancer treated? 

Most people have minimally invasive surgery (hysterectomy ± lymph node mapping ± ovary/tube removal). Depending on pathology, adjuvant therapy (vaginal brachytherapy, pelvic radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy) may be recommended. 

What are common treatment side effects? 

Surgery: temporary pain and fatigue, activity restrictions. Radiation: short-term bowel/bladder irritation and fatigue; long-term vaginal dryness/elasticity changes (manageable). Chemotherapy: fatigue, nausea, hair loss, low blood counts (managed with supportive care). Hormone and immunotherapy have specific side effects that are monitored and treated promptly. 

Can uterine cancer come back? 

Yes, particularly in higher-risk histologies or stages. Regular follow-up helps detect recurrence early. Treatments include surgery (selected cases), radiation, systemic therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy), and supportive care. 

Will I be able to have children after treatment? 

Fertility-sparing therapy is possible only in highly selected early, low-grade endometrioid cancers under strict surveillance. Otherwise, hysterectomy ends fertility; options such as embryo/oocyte cryopreservation and gestational surrogacy can be discussed before treatment. 

How long is recovery time? 

Many patients resume light activities within 1-2 weeks after minimally invasive surgery, with full recovery over 2-4 weeks (longer for open procedures). Adjuvant therapy schedules vary; most side effects improve within weeks after treatment ends. 

Why Choose Apollo Hospitals for Uterine Cancer Care 

• Comprehensive gynecologic oncology team with expertise in all stages of uterine cancer 

• Advanced surgical options including minimally invasive and fertility-sparing techniques 

• State-of-the-art radiation therapy including IMRT/IGRT and brachytherapy 

• Full range of systemic therapies including targeted and immune-based treatments 

• Integrated supportive care including fertility counseling, menopause management, and rehabilitation 

• International patient coordination with transparent estimates and comprehensive support 

Next Steps 

• Arrange a gynecologic evaluation for any postmenopausal bleeding or persistent abnormal bleeding at any age. 

• Bring prior ultrasound reports, biopsy results, medication lists (including hormones), and relevant medical/family history to the visit. 

• Ask about surgical approach (minimally invasive vs open), sentinel node mapping, adjuvant therapy tailored to stage/grade/molecular profile, recovery timelines, menopause/bone health support, and a personalized follow-up plan. 

• If there is strong family history or early onset, discuss genetic counseling and testing. 

With timely diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and coordinated, compassionate care, most people with uterine abnormalities or early uterine cancer do very well. Awareness of key symptoms—especially abnormal bleeding—combined with healthy lifestyle choices and prompt medical attention provides powerful protection and an excellent foundation for long-term wellness.