Womb (uterus) cancer
Womb (uterus) cancer
The womb, or uterus, is a pear-shaped organ where a baby is carried during pregnancy. It is low in the pelvis, which is the area between your hips, and is supported by your pelvic floor muscles. Most womb cancers start in glandular cells found in the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium. These are called endometrial cancers. There are different types of endometrial cancers. Endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed early and treated successfully.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes womb cancer?
There are certain things that can increase the risk of developing womb (uterus) cancer. These are called risk factors.
Having a risk factor doesn't get you cancer automatically, and not having a risk factor doesn't mean that you won't get it either.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of womb cancer, you will usually start by seeing your doctor.
Your doctor may do a pelvic examination, meaning an internal examination, to feel for anything unusual in the pelvis.
They may also arrange:
- a blood test
- a urine sample
- a trans-vaginal ultrasound
Your doctor may refer you directly to a gynaecologist. This is a doctor who treats problems with the female reproductive system.
You will be referred urgently, within 2 weeks, if you have:
- vaginal bleeding after the menopause
- a lump in your pelvis that your doctor can feel
- ongoing vaginal bleeding between your periods
The gynaecologist will explain any other tests you need to have. This may include:
- a cervical screening test, if you have not had one recently
- a biopsy
They will also ask whether you have any close relatives with womb or bowel cancer.
Further tests for womb cancer
If you are diagnosed with womb cancer, you may have further tests. These will show the position of the cancer and whether it has spread from where it started. This is called staging.
The results of these tests help you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment. They may arrange:
- an MRI scan
- a CT scan
- a chest X-ray
Waiting for test results can be a difficult time. Macmillan Cancer Support have more information that can help.
Staging and grading of womb cancer
The stage of womb cancer describes:
- how far the cancer has grown
- if it has spread from where it started
Grading is about how the cancer cells look under the microscope compared with normal cells.
Staging and grading of the cancer helps you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for womb cancer
A team of specialists will meet to talk about the best treatment for you. They’re called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
The MDT will look at many factors when planning your treatment options. These will include:
- your general health
- the type and size of the tumour
- whether the cancer has begun to spread
The main treatment for womb cancer is an operation to remove the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This is sometimes the only treatment needed to cure the cancer.
Depending on the stage and grade of the cancer, you may also be offered treatments after surgery. These can help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
Your doctor will explain the different treatments and their side effects. They’ll also talk to you about the things you should consider when making treatment decisions.
You may also be invited to take part in a clinical trial.
Types of treatment
The types of treatment you may have include the following options.
If you want to have children in the future, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your fertility before you start treatment. With early-stage, low-grade cancer, it may sometimes be possible to have fertility-sparing treatment.
Surgery
Surgery to remove the womb (a hysterectomy) is usually the main treatment for womb cancer. Sometimes surgery is used to treat womb cancer that has spread.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
Radiotherapy may be used to reduce the risk of cancer coming back after surgery.
It may also be given as the main treatment for womb cancer or to help manage symptoms of advanced womb cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.
It’s sometimes used to reduce the risk of cancer coming back after surgery or radiotherapy. Or it may be used to help control cancer and relieve symptoms.
Hormonal therapy
The hormones oestrogen and progesterone can affect how cells in the womb lining grow. You may be offered hormonal therapy to try to shrink and control the cancer and relieve symptoms.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
Newer treatments called targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be used to treat womb cancer that has spread. These can help to control the cancer and slow down the growth.
Your doctor will send a sample of the cancer cells taken during a biopsy or surgery to be tested. This helps to check which type of treatment may work best for you.
Your doctor or nurse will explain if these treatments are suitable for you.
After womb cancer treatment
After treatment, you’ll probably want to get back to doing the things you did before your cancer diagnosis. But you may still be coping with the side effects of treatment and with some difficult emotions.
Recovery takes time, so try not to be hard on yourself. It’s not unusual to feel anxious and lonely at this time.
After your treatment, you’ll have regular check-ups. They’ll include an internal examination. These will be every few months at first. Eventually, you may only be seen once a year.
If you have any problems or new symptoms in between appointments, it’s important to contact your cancer doctor or specialist nurse as soon as possible.
Some people don’t have routine appointments. Instead, they’re asked to contact their cancer doctor or nurse if they have new symptoms, or are worried about anything.
Important symptoms to be aware of are:
- bleeding from the vagina or back passage
- pain in the pelvic area
- any lumps or swellings
If womb cancer comes back in the same area, it can often be treated successfully.
You may get anxious between appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.
Macmillan Cancer Support also has further information to support you. You can:
- phone the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
- chat to Macmillan specialists online
- use the Macmillan womb cancer forum – you can talk to others affected by womb cancer, ask questions and share your experience
Sex life
Womb cancer, its treatment and side effects may affect your sex life and how you feel about yourself. Some treatments can cause an early menopause.
Macmillan Cancer Support have more information about coping with menopausal symptoms.
Complications
Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive lifestyle changes after treatment.
Making small changes like eating well and keeping active can improve your health and wellbeing and help your body recover.