Common Side Effects of Advanced Endometrial Cancer Treatment

If you or a loved one is facing advanced endometrial cancer – such as dMMR endometrial cancer – you may have questions about treatment side effects. Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). If the cancer has spread outside of the uterus to other areas of the body, it is generally considered advanced endometrial cancer.¹

In people with advanced endometrial cancer, the disease has typically spread too far to be removed by surgery alone. When surgery is not an option, other endometrial cancer treatments are available, including:¹

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Hormone therapy

Each type of endometrial cancer treatment has possible side effects that you should understand. Side effects can vary depending on the specific treatment you undergo.

How does chemotherapy affect the body?

Chemotherapy is often used to treat advanced endometrial cancer. It uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. But these medicines often also affect healthy cells, which can cause side effects.²

Common side effects of chemotherapy include:²

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Mouth sores
• Hair loss
• Increased risk of infections

What reactions can radiation therapy cause?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or with other treatments. The side effects you experience depend on the area being treated, as well as the dose and type of radiation. If radiation is combined with chemotherapy, side effects tend to be worse.³

Common side effects of radiation include:³

• Skin irritation
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Bladder discomfort, irritation, and feeling the need to pee more often
• Vaginal discomfort and irritation
• Low red blood cell count (also called anemia)

What complications can come with targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy drugs focus on specific changes in cancer cells. This type of treatment aims to cause fewer and less severe side effects than chemotherapy. Most targeted therapy is used when endometrial cancer has come back (called recurrence) or spread to other inoperable areas of the body.⁴

Common side effects of targeted therapy include:⁴

• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Skin changes
• Mouth sores

What are the side effects of immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy helps your immune system fight cancer. When other treatments haven't worked, immunotherapy, combined with chemotherapy or targeted therapy, or immunotherapy alone, may be a treatment options for certain forms of advanced endometrial cancer.^5,6

Common side effects of immunotherapy include:^5,6

• Fatigue
• Joint or muscle pain
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism)

How does hormone therapy affect the body?

Hormone therapy can slow the growth of certain types of endometrial cancer cells. It's mostly used for those with advanced stages (3 or 4) of endometrial cancer and is often combined with chemotherapy.⁷

Common side effects of hormone therapy include:⁷

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Mood changes

How can you manage treatment side effects overall?

These are not all the possible side effects of advanced endometrial cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor about what to expect during treatment for advanced endometrial cancer. You also should call your doctor if you have any concerning changes when receiving treatment.

No matter what treatment you receive, managing side effects is an important part of your care. Here are some tips:⁵

• Keep a close eye on symptoms. Write down how you feel each day. This can help your doctor understand what you are going through.
• Follow your cancer care plan. Take medicines as prescribed, and attend all follow-up appointments.
• Speak up. Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience. Many reactions – like nausea and vomiting – can be managed or treated.