Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cancer of the uterus

There is currently no national screening programme for cancer of the uterus. If you notice any of the symptoms associated with endometrial cancer, you should see your GP straight away. It may not be cancer, but it’s important to find out in case you need to start treatment.

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and give you an internal examination. You will be asked to lie down while your GP puts two fingers inside your vagina to feel for anything unusual. They will also ask if anyone in your family has had endometrial cancer or other related cancers.

You may be referred to the hospital for another appointment to examine the inside of your uterus. This is usually done with a tiny viewing tube and is called a hysteroscopy.

The doctor will also take a sample of tissue from your uterus lining which will be looked at under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells. This procedure is called a biopsy. IT may be carried out using a thin plastic tube (aspiration biopsy) or, less commonly, you may have to have a dilation and cutterage (D&C) under general anaesthetic. 

Other tests may include:

• Ultrasound scan (this is a test to find out the thickness of the womb lining using sound waves, a probe will be put on your abdomen or inside your vagina to scan the uterus).
• Endoscopy (a long flexible tube with a tiny light and camera at the end of it, used to look inside the body).
• CT (computerised tomography) scan.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.
• X-ray.
• Blood tests (to see if your blood contains high levels of certain chemicals that may indicate cancer).

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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