Uterine Sarcoma Cancer – Symptoms and Indicators

A disease that can strike without warning and can affect anybody regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, cancer is one of the leading causes of premature death in the world. Cancer is said to strike when the body’s own cells start growing and functioning abnormally with tumors forming in the affected areas. Certain types of cancer like breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine sarcoma only affect women.

Uterine sarcoma is a form of cancer that affects older women, typically between 50 and 70 who have gone through menopause. As the name suggests it affects the uterus and manifests itself in a number of different types: uterine sarcomas, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. Each type affects certain tissues in the uterus in its early stage and can spread to other parts of the uterus and even the rest of the body in the final stages. Endometrial carcinoma affects the lining of the lining. Uterine sarcoma, on the other hand, affects the muscular layer of the uterus while cervical cancer is localized in the lower portion of the uterus.

Uterine sarcoma cancer is estimated to be the third most deadly gynecologic cancer, following ovarian and cervical cancers.

Uterine sarcoma typically strikes women who have gone through menopause, i.e. when their menstrual cycle stops. Although some of the symptoms can vary from person to person, by and large the effects of uterine sarcoma are the same in all women.

By far the biggest symptom of uterine cancer is aberrant vaginal bleeding after menopause. That being said, excessive menstrual bleeding in women who have yet to go through menopause should not be ignored either as it could also point to uterine sarcoma. In additional to inordinate bleeding, other signs of uterine sarcoma are non-bloody vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, painful urination and extreme pain during sexual intercourse.

It is important that all women are made aware of the common symptoms of uterine sarcoma cancer so they can detect the disease at its earliest stages and seek medical help. Catching uterine sarcoma as early as possible is the key to successful treatment with a favorable long term outcome. Additionally, catching the cancer while it is still localized in the uterus and has yet to spread to other organs makes it easier to treat and prevents any future complications.