What are the early symptoms of endometrial cancer?
Jul 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
In general, early symptoms of endometrial cancer may include vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, and mild lower abdominal pain. These symptoms often lack specificity and can easily be overlooked. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities occur. If these early symptoms appear, patients should seek medical care as soon as possible for a definitive diagnosis through imaging or pathological examination. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight in daily life.
Generally, early symptoms of endometrial cancer may include vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, and mild lower abdominal pain. These symptoms often lack specificity and can easily be overlooked. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation upon experiencing any of these abnormalities. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Vaginal Bleeding
This is the most common early symptom of endometrial cancer. In postmenopausal women, it mainly presents as irregular vaginal bleeding after menopause, typically in small amounts, although a few patients may experience heavy bleeding. For premenopausal women, it may manifest as menstrual irregularities, prolonged menstrual periods, increased menstrual flow, or abnormal bleeding between menstrual cycles.
2. Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Some patients may experience vaginal discharge in the early stages. The discharge is often blood-tinged or serous, varying in amount. If infection is present, purulent discharge with a foul odor may occur. This discharge may be persistent or intermittent and is often mistaken for common gynecological inflammation.
3. Mild Lower Abdominal Pain or Distension
Patients with early-stage endometrial cancer may experience mild, persistent or intermittent pain or a sensation of distension in the lower abdomen. The pain is usually not severe and may gradually worsen as the disease progresses. This is caused by tumor-induced uterine contractions or pressure on surrounding tissues.
4. Abdominal Mass
A small number of patients in the early stages may feel a mass in the abdomen, usually an enlarged uterus. When the uterus enlarges to a certain extent, a hard, irregularly shaped mass with limited mobility and mild tenderness upon palpation may be felt in the lower abdomen.
5. Difficulty Urinating
This may manifest as frequent urination, urgency, or painful urination. The tumor's proximity to the bladder can compress the urethra or bladder neck, affecting normal urination function. Additionally, cancer-related inflammation may spread to the urinary system, causing irritative symptoms.
If these early symptoms appear, patients should seek medical attention promptly for diagnosis through imaging or pathological examination. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar levels, avoid long-term estrogen exposure, and undergo regular gynecological checkups to reduce the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
