uterine cancer symptom

What is the uterus?

The uterus, also called the womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum.

What are parts of the uterus?

cervix - the narrow, lower portion of the uterus

corpus - the broader, upper part of the uterus

o myometrium - the outer layer of the corpus; the muscle that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus

endometrium - the inner lining of the uterus

What is uterine cancer?

Cancers that occur in each part of the uterus have their own names, such as cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, but are sometimes broadly defined as uterine cancer because the structure is part of the uterus. Cancer of the uterus spreads through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract.

What are non-cancerous conditions of the uterus?

Some conditions in the uterus, caused by abnormal, rapid, and uncontrolled division of cells, are not cancer. Three of these benign conditions include:

Fibroid tumors are common benign tumors of the uterine muscle that do not develop into cancer. Fibroid tumors of the uterus are very often found in women in their forties. And, although single fibroid tumors do occur, multiple tumors are more common.

Symptoms of fibroid tumors, which depend on size and location, include irregular bleeding, vaginal discharge, and frequent urination. For fibroids that press against nearby organs and cause pain, surgery may be necessary. Many times, however, fibroids do not cause symptoms and do not need to be treated. After menstrual periods cease, fibroid tumors may become smaller and may disappear altogether.

Endometriosis is a benign condition of the uterus that is common among women in their thirties and forties, especially women who have never been pregnant. Tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue begins to grow in unusual places, such as on the surface of the ovaries, on the outside of the uterus, and in other tissues in the abdomen.

Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of normal cells lining the uterus. Although it is not cancer, it may develop into cancer in some women. The most common symptoms are heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after menopause.

What are risk factors for uterine cancer?

The following have been suggested as risk factors for uterine cancer:

age 50 or over

history of endometrial hyperplasia

estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

being overweight

diabetes

hypertension (high blood pressure)

history of other cancers

history of taking tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment or prevention

Caucasian women

What are the symptoms of uterine cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, abnormal bleeding after menopause is the most common symptom of cancer of the uterus. Other symptoms, according to the National Cancer Institute, may include:

unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge

difficult or painful urination

pain during sexual intercourse

pain in the pelvic area Cancer of the uterus often does not occur before menopause. It usually occurs around the time menopause begins. The occasional reappearance of bleeding should not be considered simply part of menopause. It should always be checked by a physician.

testicular cancer symptom

Testicular cancer

Published by BUPA's Health Information Team

February 2004

Testicular cancer is a rare disease in men caused by abnormal growth of cells of the testicle. The testicles (or testes) are located inside the scrotum, the loose bag of skin that hangs below the penis. Each testicle (or testis) produces sperm.

About testicular cancer

Cancer of the testicles is not a common cancer overall, and is responsible for less than one per cent of all cancer deaths. However, it is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 34. It is important for men to be aware of the disease so that they can recognise the symptoms. If caught early, testicular cancer can usually be treated and cured.

Types of testicular cancer

The most common types of testicular cancer are seminoma and teratoma. Seminomas are made up of a single type of cell, whereas teratomas consist of more than one type of testicular cell. Occasionally, the cancer can be a combination of seminoma and teratoma. Other types of testicular cancer, such as lymphoma, arise from lymphatic tissue (tissue that forms part of the immune system) within the testicle. These are very rare.

What causes testicular cancer?

The causes of testicular cancer are unknown, but men born with an undescended testicle (one that remains in the abdominal cavity rather than descending into the scrotum) may be at greater risk of developing the disease.

Other factors that are thought to make testicular cancer more likely include:

having a brother who had testicular cancer

fertility problems

being from a wealthier social group

having a rare complication of mumps called mumps orchitis (painful swelling of the testis)

Symptoms of testicular cancer

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one testicle. Other symptoms that may be present are:

a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum

a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen

pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum

tenderness or enlargement of tissue in the breast area

a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum (called a hydrocele).

Most lumps in the scrotum are not testicular cancer. However, anyone who notices one or more of the symptoms above should see their GP for advice.

Detecting testicular cancer

Testicular cancer can't be prevented. To help detect it early, you should be aware of how your testicles feel normally, so that you notice any unusual lumps, irregularities, enlargements or areas of firmness.

A good time to feel the testicles is when you are having a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Feel each testicle by rolling it between thumb and forefinger.

You may notice that one testicle is slightly larger than the other, which is normal. Also, it is normal to feel the epididymis - a small, firm, tube-like structure at the back of the testicle. This stores and transports sperm.

Cancer Symptom

What Are Symptoms and Signs?

A symptom is an indication of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. Symptoms are felt or noticed by a person, but may not easily be noticed by anyone else. For example, chills, weakness, achiness, shortness of breath, and a cough are possible symptoms of pneumonia.

A sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as observations made by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope are possible signs of pneumonia.

The presence of one symptom or sign may not give enough information to suggest a cause. For example, a rash in a child could be a symptom of a number of things including poison ivy, an infectious disease like measles, an infection limited to the skin, or a food allergy. But if the rash is seen along with other signs and symptoms like a high fever, chills, achiness, and a sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the illness. In many cases, a patient's signs and symptoms do not provide enough clues by themselves to determine the cause of an illness, and medical tests such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed.

How Are Signs and Symptoms Helpful?

Treatment is most successful when cancer is found as early as possible. Finding cancer early usually means it can be treated while it is still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if initial treatment is to be surgery.

A good example of the importance of detecting cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. It is easily removed if it has not yet grown deeply into the skin, and the 5-year survival rate (percentage of people living at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly 100%. But once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body the survival rate drops dramatically. Sometimes people ignore symptoms either because they do not recognize the symptoms as being significant or because they are frightened by what they might mean and don抰 want to seek medical help. General symptoms, such as fatigue, are more likely to have a cause other than cancer and can seem unimportant, especially if they have an obvious cause or are only temporary. In a similar way, a person may reason that a more specific symptom like a breast mass is probably a cyst that will go away by itself. But neither of these symptoms should be discounted or overlooked, especially if they have been present for a long period of time or are getting worse.