Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer or "bachchedani ka cancer", starts in the inner lining of the womb. It is most common in women after menopause, and it has one big advantage: it usually gives an early warning sign, bleeding after menopause. Women who act on that sign quickly are often diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment works well. This guide explains the symptoms, tests and treatment of uterine cancer, and what to expect at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi.

Free OPD with cancer specialists at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi. Call +91 99307 09000 or WhatsApp +91 98803 78899 for a same-day appointment.

Warning signs: do not ignore these

  • Any bleeding or spotting after menopause, even once and even if it is light.
  • Bleeding between periods, or periods that become very heavy or prolonged, in women over 40.
  • A watery or blood-stained vaginal discharge.
  • Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, or a feeling of pressure (usually later).

Many women in our region feel shy about these symptoms or assume they are "just age". Most cases turn out to have a harmless cause, but only a doctor's examination and tests can tell. Uterine cancer is different from cervical cancer, which starts in the neck of the womb; read about cervical cancer at ZenHeal.

Who is at higher risk?

Risk is higher in women who are past menopause, are overweight, have diabetes or high blood pressure, have never had children, had a late menopause, have polycystic ovaries, or have taken oestrogen-only hormone treatment or tamoxifen. Some families carry an inherited risk (Lynch syndrome). Having a risk factor does not mean a woman will get cancer; it means symptoms should be checked without delay.

Tests used to diagnose and stage uterine cancer

  1. Pelvic examination by the doctor.
  2. Transvaginal ultrasound to measure the thickness of the womb lining.
  3. Endometrial biopsy (a thin tube takes a small sample, often in the OPD) or a D&C/hysteroscopy to collect tissue. The biopsy confirms cancer and its type and grade.
  4. MRI of the pelvis to see how deep the cancer has grown, and CT or PET-CT to check for spread.
  5. Blood tests and fitness checks before treatment.

If tests were done elsewhere, bring all reports, scan CDs and biopsy slides or blocks to the first visit.

Have reports already? Share them on WhatsApp +91 98803 78899 or upload them for a free report review. If the patient cannot travel yet, a video consult with an oncologist costs ₹1,000.

Treatment options

The plan depends on the type, grade and stage of the cancer and on the woman's overall health. Most women receive one or more of the following.

Surgery is the main treatment for most uterine cancers. It usually means removing the womb, cervix, both ovaries and fallopian tubes (total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), and checking nearby lymph nodes. The removed tissue is examined, and this final histopathology report decides whether more treatment is needed.

Radiotherapy may be advised after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer returning in the pelvis, or as the main treatment when surgery is not safe. It can be external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy to the top of the vagina), or both. Radiotherapy is available at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital in Varanasi and Prayagraj, and ZenHeal holds an AERB licence; see radiation therapy in Varanasi.

Chemotherapy is used for higher-risk or advanced cancers, sometimes together with radiotherapy. Learn what a chemotherapy visit involves in our guide to chemotherapy day care.

Hormone therapy helps in selected cases, for example when the cancer has come back or a woman cannot have surgery. Your oncologist explains whether it suits you. In some advanced cancers, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be considered after tests on the tumour.

Uterine cancer care at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi

ZenHeal Varanasi is a 100-bed cancer-only hospital with a 10-bed ICU and 24×7 emergency support, and gynaecological cancer surgery is part of its surgical oncology service. Gynaecological cancer operations at ZenHeal Varanasi, including hysterectomy for uterine cancer, are done by Dr. Pritesh Rajeev Singh, surgical oncologist (MCh Surgical Oncology), and Dr. Maithili Thakur. Clinical oncologist Dr. Amit Kumar Pathak (MBBS, MD in Radiotherapy, IMS BHU), whose areas of focus include gynaecological cancers, plans chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiotherapy together with the surgical team. Hindi and English are both used at the desk.

After treatment, follow-up visits continue for five years: usually an examination and questions about symptoms, with scans only when needed. Report any new bleeding, pelvic pain, swelling of the legs or weight loss without waiting for the next appointment.

Cost, Ayushman Bharat and financial help

The cost depends on the type and stage of cancer and the treatment the doctor recommends, so we do not quote a fixed price before the patient is seen. After the OPD consultation, the doctor explains the plan and our patient counsellor explains the costs before anything is booked.

  • Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) is accepted. Bring the Ayushman card and Aadhaar; the help desk checks eligibility and explains what the scheme covers for this treatment before admission.
  • Private cashless insurance is accepted. Bring the insurance e-card and photo ID.
  • NGO support: our NGO, Love Heals Cancer, supports patients who need financial help to complete treatment.

Our step-by-step Hindi guide explains the paperwork: आयुष्मान कार्ड से कैंसर का इलाज.

Reaching ZenHeal Cancer Hospital in Varanasi

The hospital is on Dafi Highway at the Amara Bypass, opposite Aryan International School Road, about 4 km (around 13 minutes) from BHU, 9 km from Banaras (Manduadih) railway station and 20 km from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Families also come from Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Bhadohi and other Purvanchal districts. More about the hospital, its doctors and facilities is on our Varanasi hospital page and on ZenHeal Cancer Hospital Varanasi on ZenOnco.io.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • What type and grade of uterine cancer is it, and what is the stage?
  • What will the operation remove, and will lymph nodes be checked?
  • Will I need radiotherapy or chemotherapy after surgery, and how long will it take?
  • How will surgery affect menopause symptoms if I have not reached menopause yet?
  • Should my family be tested for inherited risk?

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Address: ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Dafi Highway, Opposite Aryan International School Road, Amara Bypass, Dafi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221011 · Get directions