Uterine Cancer (cont.)
Symptoms
Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. But it may also occur around
the time that menopause begins. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common
symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow
that gradually contains more blood. Women should not assume that abnormal
vaginal bleeding is part of menopause.
A woman should see her doctor if she has any of the following symptoms:
These symptoms can be caused by cancer or other less serious conditions. Most
often they are not cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure.
Diagnosis
If a woman has symptoms that suggest uterine cancer, her doctor may check
general signs of health and may order blood and urine tests. The doctor also may
perform one or more of the exams or tests described on the next pages.
- Pelvic exam -- A woman has a pelvic exam to check the vagina, uterus,
bladder, and rectum. The doctor feels these organs for any lumps or changes in
their shape or size. To see the upper part of the vagina and the cervix, the
doctor inserts an instrument called a speculum into the vagina.
- Pap test -- The doctor collects cells from the cervix and upper
vagina. A medical laboratory checks for abnormal cells. Although the Pap test
can detect cancer of the cervix, cells from inside the uterus usually do not
show up on a Pap test. This is why the doctor collects samples of cells from
inside the uterus in a procedure called a biopsy.
- Transvaginal ultrasound -- The doctor inserts an instrument into the
vagina. The instrument aims high-frequency sound waves at the uterus. The
pattern of the echoes they produce creates a picture. If the endometrium looks
too thick, the doctor can do a biopsy.
- Biopsy -- The doctor removes a sample of tissue from the uterine
lining. This usually can be done in the doctor's office. In some cases, however,
a woman may need to have a dilation and curettage (D&C). A D&C is usually done
as same-day surgery with anesthesia in a hospital. A pathologist examines the
tissue to check for cancer cells, hyperplasia, and other conditions. For a short
time after the biopsy, some women have cramps and vaginal bleeding.
A woman who needs a biopsy may want to ask the doctor the following
questions:
- What type of biopsy will I have? Why?
- How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
- How soon will I know the results?
- Are there any risks? What is the chance of infection or bleeding
afterward?
- If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? When?
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Next: How is the stage determined for uterine cancer? »
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