Conditions That Have Symptoms Similar to Uterine Cancer

Some women get noncancerous tumors in the endometrial muscle. These are called fibroid tumors or leiomyomas. They cause symptoms that include unusual vaginal bleeding and the urge to urinate often. These tumors are not cancer and are very common. They usually don’t need treatment.

Other women get endometriosis. In this condition, there is unusual growth of endometrial tissue, which lines the uterus. It may grow in the muscular layer of the uterus, called the myometrium. Or it may grow outside the uterus. This is not cancer, but some women with endometriosis may have cramps and unusual vaginal bleeding, and some of them cannot have children.

An overgrowth of cells in the endometrial lining is called endometrial hyperplasia. This is a precancerous condition. Unless it is treated, it may turn into cancer. Symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding.

Symptoms of endometrial cancer are similar to those of uterine sarcoma. Unusual bleeding after menopause may be a sign of either type of uterine cancer.

If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding, don’t ignore it. Make sure you see your doctor.