Have you started bleeding between periods or after menopause — and now, you can’t stop wondering why?
Abnormal bleeding can be a sign that something is happening in your body. Many things can cause unusual bleeding. A hormone problem may trigger it. Or you may have an endometrial polyp. Maybe it’s bleeding during pregnancy. But it can also be one of the first signs of endometrial (uterine) cancer.
And it might be the thing that brings you to Cleveland Clinic. Our expert healthcare providers can often catch this slow-growing cancer early thanks to this telltale symptom. Our team works to quickly learn what’s going on. We walk you through any tests you need and create a treatment plan that works for you. You can rest assured knowing you’re always at the center of your care.
Cleveland Clinic’s board-certified gynecologic oncologists (reproductive cancer specialists) see hundreds of people with endometrial and other gynecologic cancers each year. Our team blends years of experience, compassionate support and the latest treatments to achieve the best possible results. Meet our team.
We base our high standards of care on our research in the field. Cleveland Clinic has discovered many new treatments and technologies thanks to a first-of-its-kind endowment in uterine cancer research. This lets our team keep exploring new, even more effective treatments for endometrial and uterine cancer — like clinical trials using the newest treatments before they’re widely available.
Cleveland Clinic has an expert tumor board — a group of specialists from different specialties working together to create the best treatment plans for complex cancer cases. Our tumor board communicates regularly with your care team to make sure you get the best possible care — and treatment results.
We know a cancer diagnosis isn’t easy, and even though we treat hundreds of people with cancer each year, when you come to us, we focus on you. Our compassionate providers listen carefully to your concerns and answer your questions. Building trust is an important part of your care here.
Not feeling great? Rather stay curled up on the couch than drive to an appointment? Virtual visits are a convenient way to check in with your provider in person. You’ll get the same expert care, but from the comfort of home.
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Endometrial cancer, the most common uterine cancer, starts in your uterus’s lining (endometrium). While we aren’t always sure what causes this cancer, we recognize some risk factors — like having a family history of endometrial cancer, colon cancer, gastric (stomach) cancer or ovarian cancer, being age 50+ or having too much estrogen in your body.
Unusual vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of endometrial cancer. If you’re experiencing this, you’ll want to have one of our gynecologists check things out right away.
When you come to your first appointment, you’ll spend some time sharing your story with your provider. They’ll ask a lot of questions during this conversation, like:
During this visit, your provider will also do physical and pelvic exams. If they think you may have endometrial cancer, they’ll do an endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy and/or dilation and curettage (D&C). You’ll likely have additional tests to help us confirm your diagnosis — and rule out other conditions that can cause abnormal bleeding.
Once we confirm a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, we may do a CA-125 blood test to check for certain levels of the CA-125 protein. This can point to signs of cancer in your body. We could also do blood work to check for other signs of cancer or to see how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Imaging tests let your providers take a closer look at what’s going on inside your body and confirm a diagnosis. We might do a:
Endometrial biopsies that confirm endometrial cancer or hyperplasia (precancer) are screened by a pathologist for genes that may have caused an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Also, if endometrial cancer runs in your family, you may meet with a genetic counselor. They’ll talk with you about your family’s health history to see if an inherited genetic mutation (change) could be linked to the cancer. They may also have you do blood work for genetic testing. Your genetic counselor will work closely with your care team to recommend more tests, if needed, and create your treatment plan.
Finding out you may have endometrial cancer can be overwhelming. So, it’s important to feel confident that you’re working with a team of healthcare providers you trust and who are up to date on the latest technologies and treatments. That’s why we encourage second opinions.
Our expert endometrial cancer specialists will take the time to help you better understand what’s going on and explain your treatment options. We also know that cancer doesn’t wait, so we always try to get your appointment scheduled as soon as possible. A second opinion can give you peace of mind — and help you feel more secure knowing you’re in expert, caring hands.
If you’re unable to travel to Cleveland, we also offer virtual second opinions — an easy and convenient way to talk with your providers from the comfort of home.
At Cleveland Clinic, your gynecological oncologist will lead an expert team of providers from different specialties. Other team members could include:
This team makes sure you’re getting the most personalized care from diagnosis through follow-up.
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Once we know for sure that you have endometrial cancer, we’ll work with you to create an individualized treatment plan based on your test results, overall health and unique needs. You may have:
We treat most endometrial cancers with a hysterectomy. When possible, we try to do minimally invasive surgery rather than open surgery, which requires a large incision (cut). Your provider will let you know which type of hysterectomy is best for you. During surgery, your provider may also do a sentinel node biopsy to see if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of your body.
Depending on your test results and how far along your cancer is, you may also have:
These treatments can destroy any remaining cancer cells in your body after surgery.
Your care team may also present your case to Cleveland Clinic’s tumor board. Here, providers from different specialties like radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, genetics and oncology work together to craft the best individual treatment plan for aggressive or rare cancers.
If you have endometrial cancer and hope to have children in the future, it’s natural to have concerns about your fertility. Before starting any treatment, we’ll talk with you about your goals and, if you’d like, discuss fertility preservation, which may help preserve your ability to become pregnant after treatment. Together, we create a personalized plan to support your family-building journey.
For the most common type of endometrial cancer, we may pair hormone therapy with regular biopsies to make sure your cancer is going away. We often collaborate with our reproductive endocrinology and infertility team to guide you through the process and help you plan for pregnancy when it’s safe for you to do so.
We’re here for you every step of the way on your cancer journey — whether your treatment ends with surgery or continues with chemotherapy, radiation or other therapies.
And even when treatment ends, our care doesn’t stop. We continue to keep a close eye on your health for the rest of your life with regular follow-up visits and testing. At these visits, we’ll talk with you about how you’re feeling, do a pelvic exam and — depending on your risks and symptoms — schedule regular routine imaging or blood work. We’ll also help you make healthy choices to reduce your risk of endometrial cancer recurring.
No one ever wants to hear the words, “You have cancer.” It can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. The good news is that when it’s caught early, endometrial cancer is highly treatable. At Cleveland Clinic, our goal is to give you the best care possible from day one. Our skilled team will guide you with expertise and compassion throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s endometrial cancer experts is easy. We’ll help you get the care you need.
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Learning you have cancer can be stressful, shocking and challenging. From the moment you get the news, you're a survivor. As you face the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and recovery — physical and emotional — we’ll be right there with you.
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