Women with endometrial cancer have a variety of symptoms that differ between individual women, and, after diagnosis, many women wish they had acted earlier on something they thought was irrelevant.
If you have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, please feel free to contribute your symptoms to this discussion, so that others reading this might get an earlier diagnosis.
First symptoms I noticed were a pale salmon pink mucus, which sometimes had tiny specks of blood in it. This came and went, and would disappear for a few weeks then return again.
Small specks of blood or pinkish mucus would happen when passing a stool, but at no other time.
Experienced no pain at all, and felt perfectly well and healthy.
Occasionally, 1 or 2 drops of runny blood now and then.
A small amount of watery discharge, which, gave a burning sensation and soreness.
A sudden unexpected flood of blood occured once, and resulted in the initial GP visit.
A sticking out tummy, as though pregnant, which got in the way of bending over, putting on shoes, and still stuck up, even when lying flat in bed.
Post-menopausal, diagnosed aged 52, with endometrial cancer at stage 1B.
Hi informed. The only symptom I had was a wind-type gripy pain, low in my stomach. I thought it was my IBS. Oh, and I also found it difficult to get comfortable in bed when lying on my side, but this turned out to be a cyst.
PS I am 60 and diagnosed with ovarian/endometrial stage 1C. Awaiting operation for radical hysterectomy on 9 January.
I was diagnosed with Uterine polyps at age 47, I had had very heavy periods, no other treatment given at that time, I went through the menopause about 18 months later without any further problems, then about a year ago (I am now just shy of 62) I started 'spotting' nothing much so didn't worry too much about it (Foolish in retrospect) and it wasn't all of the time, then one day in September this year I began bleeding with a vengeance, I bled heavily for about 2 weeks and possibly a bit longer than that, alternating between losing large clots of blood to flooding, I was getting through 5 pads at a time and they at times would only last 1 hour! I became dangerously anaemic, I also had the swollen tummy, I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer stage 1.
I would like to add to what I have already said. Any ladies out there who read this and have any of the symptoms we are listing here Please, Please go to the doctors and get checked up and if he/she won't listen to you or try to fob you off, MAKE THEM LISTEN make a fuss, even if you go on and all is OK at least you won't go the length of time that I foolishly did, I know I should have done something sooner but I was working full, sometimes up to 60 hours a week and was always 'too busy' to go to the doctors, I wish I had made time.
I had slight pink discharge twice My Gyneocologist had told me ANY bleeding post menapause treat very seriousley and with urgency I am 57 2 years post menopause
After Hysteroscopy November last year I was diagnosed stage 1 a endrometrial cancer I had total abdominal Hysterectomy 22nd december Here i am 5 weeks on recovering fairley well feeling very relieved it was caught so early Even then it was spreding down toward my cervix
Please please if any of you get similar symptoms get it checked out I am so glad i did xxxx
Well said Pauline, I was also 1A endometrial cancer, I had left mine a very long time and consider myself very fortunate that it hadn't spread any further, but my consultant wants to see me every 6 months for the next 3 years to be safe, I am 7 weeks post LAVH (vaginal hysterectomy) healing well and no pain.
Phoebe x
Thank you for your contribution, Pauline. Just two occurences of pink discharge was very quick off the marks. I had this and tiny specks of blood for several months. Because I didn't consider this to be post-menopausal "bleeding". It was only when I had a gush of blood, (only the once), that I went to my GP. After leaving it for about 10 months before getting a diagnosis, I was finally staged at 1b.
I'm hoping that this discussion will show the variety of ways this disease presents itself, and help other women get an earlier diagnosis.
Last January I had an odd almost black discharge, there was no pain or anything, I honestly thought it was a one off, but 2 months later I had a bright red bleed and got a biopsy done. I am 59 and 10 years past menopause. The diagnoses is FIGO Stage 1 cancer, I am having surgery on Thursday. In retrospect I have had odd cramping over the last few years, usually in the middle of the night, and some vague soreness on my right side, I now think that this is related, but it was so occasional that I didn't pay much attention.
Welcome to this forum Sue, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I was almost 14 years post menopause when I was diagnosed, symptoms a bit further up the page, mine was stage 1A.
Good luck on Thursday.
Phoebe
Hello. My sister was diagnosed with endometrial cancer stage 1a last week. She is undergoing hysterectomy/cervix/ovaries on Saturday. So please keep her in your thoughts.
I am now worried for myself. I had an endometrial hydro-ablation about 6 years ago due to v v heavy bleeding (I am 57) - this stopped the bleeding,which is great. However around a year later I had 'period' taupe pains which were really bad - locus GP visited and said it was probably constipation. I told him it felt womb related but he said not! Later that day I had a massive bleed of black and bright red blood. Rushed in to hospital - all was well, they said a 'pocket' had formed and it was old blood. Everything fine since then until....... Have recently noticed a green/yellow discharge - no smell. I have also got a slight pink/bloody mucus which is not appearing on knickers and I only noticed after using an estradiol pessary - for is prescribed for vaginal dryness etc - but blood is there if I place a finger in vagina. I will make an appointment to see GP.
I am glad to have found this group !
I just got told two weeks ago that I have malignant polyps in my uterus. I had irregular bleeding for about three weeks while being on the depo shot for almost 9 years. The Dr had me take a pregnancy test just to make sure I wasn't. I then went for an internal sono then was called the next morning to come in for a biopsy. The Dr also hasn't told me exact stage or anything yet. I'm also only 27 years old. If anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. I meet with my ob/gyn tomorrow afternoon definitely hoping for some good news.
Hi cassy, staging of cancer can only be confirmed after hysterectomy. I am waiting for mine now. I had total abdominal hysterectomy last week and preserved my ovaries. At your young age, do check with Doctor whether preserving ovaries is possible rather than having you going though menopause. Take care and be strong
Hello I'm a 22 years old and have irregular periods, I have a polyp on my womb lining and was sent to a specialist, she said because of my age she wouldn't need to do a biopsy but now I'm worried , I had a cbc and everything was within normal, I have a lot of watery discharge and fatigue, feeling sick
Pregnancy test was negative, what do I do now? What could it be?
Hi Leanne,
You could request for a D&C to be done. During this procedure, doctor will clear your uterus lining (if it's thick) and possibly removed ployps as well.
Are you bleeding heavily as well and spotting? Chances of ployps as maglinant is slighty low but best to get it checked. Mine is cancerous.
I am 34 this year. I had just been diagnosed with Stage 1A based on my biopsy and results from my imaging. I have not undergone hysterectomy yet as I am still hoping to be able to have kids. I am currently under hormones therapy and hope it will work for the time being.
I had been having prolonged and very heavy menstruation for years. Initially my gynae was able to help in the prolonged menstruation problem through the use of hormones pills. My endometrial lining was also deemed to be thicker than normal which could be the reason why I had such heavy menstruation. But it was not of any concern then. I had PCOS too.
My problem with my heavy menstruation was really terrible. There were days when I had to change my pads within an hour. I felt very insecure to even step out of my house on days when I am having my menstruation.
I started having spotting that would not stop for months. Doc did an ultrasound and saw abnormal thickening of my lining and recommended me to undergo D&C and thereafter, MRI and CT Scan. That was when I was diagnosed with Stage 1.
Hi Zann,
Heard and felt your pain. I had the same problem as yours and was admitted to hospital before for anemia. I am on my 5th months post op due to endometrial cancer stage 1A. Like you, I am also in my mid 30.
Are you Asian? If yes, I suggest you try Chinese traditional medicine. Body heartiness, stress are part of parcel that causes hormone imbalances ( and I get to know it too late). Try to go those recognized ones like hospital.
Sorry to say that, but at the end, you would also need to undergo hysterectomy as mentioned by my onco gynae.
Take care and do post message if you need more information. People at this site are very helpful and their words of comforts gave me lots of strength before and after hysterectomy.
.
Hi members,
I am 4th month post op hysterectomy due to endomentrial cancer stage 1A. I will be going back to hospital for my first 3-months review next month and am worry now. I normally will be very tensed up the moment I see the speculum. Could some members share experience on what Doctor will perform during review? Many thanks
Hi Hilary, Did you ever find out what was causing the green discharge without smell? I have just had a Pap smear, STI & HPV testing (common in US gym care). Everything came back negative. I have had a lime-green discharge for 4 months & can't figure out what it could be, nor can my gynecologist. Please let me know if you still have that or whether it has been diagnosed. I wish you (and all women) well & hope your health challenges have been resolved. Thank you!