Diseases » Endometrial Cancer » Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer

Diagnostic Test list for Endometrial Cancer:

The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer includes:

Physical exam
Pelvic exam
Pap smear
Transvaginal ultrasound
Biopsy
Dilation and curettage (D&C) - sometimes needed to get biopsy tissue.
Pathology analysis
Blood tests
Urine tests
Chest x-rays
X-rays
CT scans
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy
Hysterectomy - after hysterectomy a biopsy can determine the stage of cancer.

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Endometrial Cancer:

Your doctor may use several tests to see if you have cancer, usually beginning with an internal (pelvic) examination. During the examination, your doctor will feel for any lumps or changes in the shape of the uterus. Your doctor will then do a Pap test, using a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick to gently scrape the outside of the cervix (opening of the uterus) and vagina to pick up cells for microscopic study.

Because cancer of the endometrium begins inside the uterus, it does not usually show up on a Pap test. For this reason, your doctor may also do a dilation and curettage (D&C) or similar test to remove pieces of the lining of the uterus. During a D&C, the opening of the cervix is stretched with a spoon-shaped instrument and the walls of the uterus are gently scraped to remove any growths. This tissue is then checked for cancer cells. (Source: excerpt from Endometrial Cancer: NWHIC)