Uterine cancer how is it detected

Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Call us anytime. This page was updated on September 21, Uterine cancer detection and diagnosis. The two primary types of uterine cancer are: Endometrial cancer is the more common type of cancer affecting the uterus.

Cancer cells develop in the endometrium , the lining of the uterus. Uterine sarcom is both rare and difficult to treat because of its aggressive nature. It occurs when cancer cells develop in the muscles of the uterus or tissues that support it. Endometrial cancer detection and diagnosis For those experiencing symptoms of endometrial cancer, doctors may recommend a physical and pelvic examination.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the organs in the reproductive system and may be done externally or internally: For a pelvic ultrasound, the doctor moves a transducer, which resembles a small wand, over the skin of the lower abdomen. Preparation may include drinking water, because a full bladder helps create better images. For a transvaginal ultrasound , which provides a more detailed view of the uterus, the doctor inserts a probe through the vagina to capture images of the uterus.

Endometrial tissue sampling involves removing a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and may be done with one of the following procedures: Endometrial biopsy is the most common endometrial cancer test. If you have any of the symptoms of endometrial cancer see Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer , you should see a doctor right away.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, risk factors , and medical history. The doctor will also do a physical exam and a pelvic exam. Ultrasound is often one of the first tests used to look at the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in women with possible gynecologic problems.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. A small wand called a transducer or probe gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off the organs. A computer translates the echoes into pictures. For a pelvic ultrasound , the transducer is moved over the skin of the lower part of the belly abdomen.

Often, to get good pictures of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, the bladder needs be full. That's why women getting a pelvic ultrasound are asked to drink lots of water before the test. A transvaginal ultrasound TVUS is often better to look at the uterus.

For this test, the TVUS probe that works the same way as the ultrasound transducer is put into the vagina. Images from the TVUS can be used to see if the uterus contains a mass tumor , or if the endometrium is thicker than usual, which can be a sign of endometrial cancer. It may also help see if cancer is growing into the muscle layer of the uterus myometrium. A small tube may be used to put salt water saline into the uterus before the ultrasound.

This helps the doctor see the uterine lining more clearly. This procedure is called a saline infusion sonogram or hysterosonogram. Sonogram is another term for ultrasound. Ultrasound can be used to see endometrial polyps growths , measure how thick the endometrium is, and can help doctors pinpoint the area they want to biopsy. To find out exactly what kind of endometrial change is present, the doctor must take out some tissue so that it can be tested and looked at with a microscope.

It is often the most common way to cure early stage endometrial cancer. However, a woman may no longer become pregnant after treatment. Patients may have r adiation therapy after surgery or instead of surgery. Vaginal cuff brachytherapy , is when radioactive material is placed next to the post-hysterectomy surgical scar at the top of the vagina. External beam therapy EBT is delivered from outside the body. In patients with inoperable endometrial cancer, the doctor places the radiation source inside or next to the tumor.

Your doctor may use chemotherapy with radiation therapy to treat cancer that has spread or has an increased risk of returning. This may be given after surgery, or later if there is spread of cancer. Hormone therapy treats cancer that has hormone receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or both. Progesterone is the most common drug for hormone therapy. Send us your feedback Did you find the information you were looking for? Yes No. Area Code:. Phone no:. Radiologist and patient consultation. View full size with caption.

To take the biopsy, the doctor uses surgical instruments to gently widen dilate the cervix and then remove some tissue from the uterine lining. You will stay in hospital for a few hours and are likely to have period-like cramps and light bleeding for a few days afterwards.

The tissue sample will be sent to a laboratory, and a specialist doctor called a pathologist will look at the cells under a microscope. The pathologist will be able to confirm whether or not the cells are cancerous, and which type of uterine cancer it is. After uterine cancer is diagnosed, you may have blood tests to check your general health.

Your doctor may also arrange one or more of the imaging tests below to see if the cancer has spread outside the uterus. You will usually have a CT computerised tomography scan of your chest, abdomen and pelvis. A CT uses x-rays and a computer to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body. However, it is not able to detect very small less than 1 cm tumours. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything fast before the scan.

You may need to have an injection of or drink a special dye. This dye is called contrast and it makes your organs appear white in the pictures so anything unusual can be seen more clearly. You will lie on a table that moves in and out of the scanner, which is large and round like a doughnut. The test is painless and takes about 15 minutes. MRI magnetic resonance imaging is not covered by Medicare for uterine cancer, so check with your doctor what you will have to pay.

This scan uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of the inside of your body. If you are having an MRI scan, let your medical team know if you have a pacemaker or any other metallic object in your body. The magnet can interfere with some pacemakers, but newer pacemakers are often MRI-compatible. You will usually be asked to fast for four hours before the scan. As with a CT scan, a dye may be injected into a vein to help make the pictures clearer.

For the scan, you will lie on a treatment table and it will slide into a large metal tube that is open at both ends. The test is painless, but the noisy, narrow machine makes some people feel anxious or claustrophobic. If you think you may become distressed, mention it beforehand to the medical team. You may be given medicine to help you relax, and you will usually be offered headphones or earplugs.