The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, although most people with abnormal bleeding do not have cancer.
Uterine sarcomas develop in the muscle tissue of the uterus (the myometrium). This type is rare but is also the most aggressive form of uterine cancer.
The Pap test does not screen for uterine cancer. Only cancer the Pap test screens for is cervical cancer. Screening is when a test is used to look for a disease before there are any symptoms.
There are three types: endometrial stromal sarcoma is a low-grade, slow-growing tumour, while leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcoma are usually faster growing and may be more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
About 90% of women with endometrial cancer have abnormal vaginal bleeding. This might be a change in their periods, bleeding between periods, or bleeding after menopause. Non-cancer problems can also cause abnormal bleeding. But it’s important to have a doctor check out any irregular bleeding right away.
Uterine cancer can metastasise to the rectum or bladder. Other areas where it may spread include the vagina, ovaries and fallopian tubes. This form of cancer is typically slow growing and often detected before it has spread to more distant areas of the body.
