HOW IS UTERINE CANCER DETECTED AND DIAGNOSED?
Early detection is difficult. Pap smears detect as few as 50 percent of cases and it’s not noticeable during a pelvic exam. The first clue is vaginal bleeding. An endometrial biopsy can be performed. This is an office procedure where the doctor removes a small piece of tissue from the uterine lining for analysis. For a more accurate diagnosis, a dilation and curettage can be performed. This procedure usually requires some form of anesthesia and is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic. The cervix is dilated and tissue is scraped from the uterine lining. TREATMENT METHODS FOR UTERINE CANCER Most doctors will recommend a hysterectomy. This is a removal of the uterus. The fallopian tubes and ovaries will most likely be removed also as the cancer tends to spread to these organs. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery. If the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, chemotherapy may be administered to stop the cancer from growing.
