The diagnosis of endometrial (uterine) cancer typically involves several steps, which aim to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its stage. Here's a general overview of the process:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: The doctor will begin by asking about any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain in the pelvis, and general health history. This is followed by a physical exam, which may include a pelvic examination to check the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: This imaging test uses sound waves to create pictures of the uterus. It can help measure the thickness of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which can be a sign of cancer if it's unusually thick.
- Endometrial Biopsy: This is the most common and reliable method for diagnosing endometrial cancer. A small amount of tissue is taken from the lining of the uterus to be examined under a microscope for cancer cells.
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C): If a biopsy is inconclusive, a D&C may be performed. This procedure involves scraping tissue from the uterus's lining, which is then examined for cancer cells.
- Imaging Tests: Additional imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) scan, might be used to determine if cancer has spread beyond the uterus.
- Blood Tests: While blood tests cannot diagnose endometrial cancer directly, they can be used to check the overall health of organs and detect markers that suggest cancer.
