When should I call my care team?

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Heavy vaginal bleeding, such as soaking a pad every hour; Redness, pus, or opening of your surgery wound; New or severe belly or pelvic pain; Swelling, pain, or redness in one leg; Shortness of breath or chest pain; Severe diarrhea, or diarrhea with blood or belly pain; Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day; New rash, cough, or diarrhea while on immunotherapy; Very high blood pressure, severe headache, or vision changes on lenvatinib; If it feels very bad, call 911.

Uterine (endometrial) cancer

Most uterine cancers are found early and treated with surgery, and new tests and treatments help people with more advanced cancer.

Hi, I'm Rosa. Today we'll go through uterine cancer together, one step at a time. I'll keep it simple, and you can pause me, go back, or skip ahead whenever you like. Just so you know, this is for learning only. It is not medical advice, so please check everything with your own doctor and care team. Okay, let's get started.

What uterine cancer is

Let's start with the basics. This cancer starts in the inner lining of the uterus. The uterus is also called the womb. The most common early sign is bleeding after menopause. Bleeding between periods can also be a sign. Because bleeding shows up early, many people are found early. Too much of the hormone estrogen can raise the risk. Extra body weight and older age raise it too. Some families carry a gene change called Lynch syndrome. A rare group called sarcomas starts in the muscle of the uterus. Your care team will tell you which kind you have.

The main types

Let's talk briefly about the types. The most common type usually grows slowly. It is often found early. Another type grows and spreads faster. It usually needs more treatment. A rare, fast-growing type also needs more treatment after surgery. One type has features of two kinds of cancer. It is treated as a higher-risk cancer. Then there are uterine sarcomas. These start in the muscle or support tissue of the uterus. They are rare and are treated differently. Your care team will tell you which type you have.

Tests you may have

Now let's talk about tests. An ultrasound uses sound waves to measure the uterine lining. A biopsy takes a small sample of the lining. It is often done in the office. It is the main way to find this cancer. Sometimes a thin camera looks inside the uterus. An MRI scan shows how deep the cancer has grown. CT or PET scans check if it has spread. During surgery, a dye helps find the first lymph nodes to check. Lab tests on the tumor help guide treatment. You can read more about each test in the guide.

What the stage means

Next up, let's talk about stages. The stage tells how far the cancer has spread. It is usually set after surgery. That is when the uterus and lymph nodes are checked. Lymph nodes are small glands that help fight infection. Stages go from one to four. Stage one means the cancer is only in the uterus. This is the most common stage. Why do stages matter? They help your team plan treatment. They also help everyone speak the same language. Your team may also use your tumor test results.

Tumor markers and gene tests

Before we move to treatment, there are some things to know. Tumor tests now play a big role in this cancer. They help predict how the cancer may act. They help decide who needs more treatment. There are different markers. Each one has a different role. Some show if immune treatment may work very well. Some show if less treatment may be enough. Some point to the gene change called Lynch syndrome. Your doctor will tell you which ones you have and what they mean. You can read more in the guide. The Questions to ask page can help too.

Main treatments

Now let's talk about treatment. Surgery removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and tubes. It is often done through small cuts. For many early cancers, surgery is all that is needed. Radiation can be placed inside the vagina for a few short visits. Or it can be aimed at the pelvis from a machine. Chemotherapy uses medicines given through a vein. Immune treatment helps your body fight the cancer. It is often added to chemotherapy for advanced cancer. Hormone medicines can control some slow-growing cancers. There are also clinical trials. These are research studies that may offer new options. Ask your team if one fits you.

Side effects and what helps

Let's talk about side effects. After surgery, walk a little each day. Avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks. Removing the ovaries can cause hot flashes and dryness. Ask your team what is safe for you. Radiation can cause vaginal dryness. Moisturizers can help. Pelvic radiation can cause diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids. Chemotherapy can lower your ability to fight infection. Call right away for a fever. Some people get leg swelling. A special therapist can help. We have a whole side effects guide on this site.

Living well

Last, let's talk about living well. You will have regular checkups with exams. Report any new vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain. Staying active and eating well help your health. Changes in your sex life are common. Your team wants to hear about them. It is normal to feel worried or sad. Support groups can help. Now, some signs mean call your team right away. A fever or chills. Heavy vaginal bleeding, like soaking a pad every hour. New or severe belly or pelvic pain. If it feels very bad, call 911. Check out our new Screening, prevention and survivorship section.

You did great today. That was a lot to learn, and you went step by step. Write down your questions and bring them to your next visit. Call your care team any time something worries you. You are not alone in this.

Call your care team right away if you have

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills
Heavy vaginal bleeding, such as soaking a pad every hour
Redness, pus, or opening of your surgery wound
New or severe belly or pelvic pain
Swelling, pain, or redness in one leg
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Severe diarrhea, or diarrhea with blood or belly pain
Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day
New rash, cough, or diarrhea while on immunotherapy
Very high blood pressure, severe headache, or vision changes on lenvatinib
If it feels very bad, call 911.

Side effects: what helps

Sources

Quick answers

What is uterine (endometrial) cancer?: Endometrial cancer starts in the endometrium. This is the inner lining of the uterus (womb). It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs in the US. The most common early sign is bleeding after menopause. Bleeding between periods or very heavy periods can also be a sign. Because bleeding shows up early, many people are diagnosed when the cancer is still only in the uterus.
When should I call my care team?: Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Heavy vaginal bleeding, such as soaking a pad every hour; Redness, pus, or opening of your surgery wound; New or severe belly or pelvic pain; Swelling, pain, or redness in one leg; Shortness of breath or chest pain; Severe diarrhea, or diarrhea with blood or belly pain; Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day; New rash, cough, or diarrhea while on immunotherapy; Very high blood pressure, severe headache, or vision changes on lenvatinib; If it feels very bad, call 911.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.