Endometrial cancer is rare under the age of 40. However, women who
develop heavy or prolonged periods after the age of 40 should be
investigated for emdometrial cancer or hyperplasia.
About one in 10 women who develop bleeding after the menopause have
endometrial cancer or hyperplasia and this symptom should not be
ignored. The odds are more likely the older a woman is and also if she
has had no children or has diabetes.
Bleeding after intercourse can be the first sign of cervical cancer. All
women who complain of this should be examined although the most common
cause of this is not cancer. Older women who complain of post-coital
bleeding should have a colposcopy irrespective of the smear result.
Bleeding between periods is most likely to be caused by benign
non-cancerous causes. However, both cervical cancer and endometrial
cancer can present with this and the symptom should be investigated
It is rare to present with bowel symptoms alone. Women who present with
advanced disease may have this symptom but it is unusual to have it
isolation.
Women with advanced disease may present with
bladder symptoms but it is unusual to present with this in
isolation.
Pelvic pain is not a usual presenting symptom
but some women with uterine sarcoma present with this. Women
with advanced cervix cancer may present with loin or back pain
due to the effect of the tumor on nerves or the ureters (tubes
connecting the kidneys to the bladder).
Leiomyosarcomas often present with a rapidly enlarging pelvic lump.
Stromal sarcomas may also present in this manner.
Cervical cancer may present with a persistent vaginal discharge. Weight
loss and loss of appetite are also symptoms of advanced cancers.
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