Evaluation of abnormal bleeding or women at risk
If you have abnormal uterine bleeding, or if your doctor thinks you are at risk, he or she can check for endometrial cancer in these two ways:
- Endometrial sampling. Your doctor takes a small sample of cells from the lining of your uterus. This sample is also called a biopsy. In most cases, this can be dome in the office. To do this, your doctor inserts a thin flexible tube through your vagina and into your uterus. Your doctor then removes some cells through this tube. In some cases, the biopsy may be performed in the hospital operating room as a dilation and curettage (D&C). These tests may cause discomfort, such as cramps and bleeding. There is also a small risk for possible infection. In rare cases, the wall of the uterus could be punctured. A pathologist is a specialist trained in looking at tissue under the microscope. One will evaluate the biopsy to check for cancer.
- Transvaginal ultrasound. Your doctor inserts a probe through your vagina and into your uterus. The probe sends out sound waves that echo off the cells of your uterus. A computer translates these sound waves into an image on a nearby screen. In this way, your doctor evaluates the thickness of the uterine lining (endometrium). If the tissue is thick, a biopsy may be recommended.
Neither of these tests is completely accurate. It’s possible that your doctor may not be able to detect cancer—even when it’s there. On the other hand, it is also possible that it may look like you have cancer when you don’t. That’s called a false-positive result. If needed, your doctor can confirm if you have cancer by doing more tests.