What are the main early symptoms of endometrial cancer?

The early symptoms of endometrial cancer mainly include abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, and weight loss. Endometrial cancer is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. Early symptoms may not be obvious, but as the disease progresses, symptoms will gradually appear.

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common early symptom of endometrial cancer, mainly manifested as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding or menstrual cycle disorders. Postmenopausal women need to be highly vigilant if they experience vaginal bleeding. Women of childbearing age may experience increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual periods or non-menstrual bleeding. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be related to tumor invasion of endometrial blood vessels, and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as anemia and fatigue. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for gynecological examination, ultrasound or diagnostic dilation and curettage.

2. Increased vaginal discharge

Increased vaginal discharge is also a common early manifestation of endometrial cancer. The discharge may be watery or bloody, with an odor. Necrosis or infection of tumor tissue may lead to changes in secretion properties. Some patients may mistakenly think it is vaginitis and delay seeking medical treatment. If the secretion continues to increase or has abnormal characteristics, it is recommended to undergo a gynecological examination and pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis.

3. Lower abdominal pain

Lower abdominal pain is less common in the early stages of endometrial cancer, but as the tumor progresses, dull pain or swelling may occur. The pain may be related to the tumor enlarging and compressing surrounding tissues or combined with pelvic inflammatory disease. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to persistent, severe pain that may worsen after activity or sexual intercourse. If you experience unexplained lower abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

4. Difficulty urinating

Difficulty urinating is rare in the early stages of endometrial cancer and usually occurs when the tumor is large and compresses the bladder or invades the urinary system. Patients may present with frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, or even hematuria. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for urinary system infection. If anti-infective treatment is ineffective, gynecological tumors should be considered.

5. Weight loss

Weight loss is a nonspecific symptom of endometrial cancer that usually occurs in the middle to late stages of the disease. Tumor consumption, loss of appetite, or metabolic abnormalities may result in significant short-term weight loss. If other reasons such as deliberate weight loss and diabetes are excluded, if the unexplained weight loss exceeds 5%, you should be alert to the possibility of malignant tumors.

The early symptoms of endometrial cancer may be subtle, and regular gynecological examinations can help with early detection. It is recommended that women have an annual gynecological examination, including pelvic ultrasound and cervical cytology. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, control your weight within a normal range, and avoid long-term use of estrogen drugs. People with a family history of endometrial cancer, obesity, diabetes and other high-risk factors should be more vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop suspicious symptoms.