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Uterine Cancer Tests

Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a woman's uterus. It may be benign or malignant, which is usually determined through tests. If benign, the tumor or lump has to simply be removed. If malignant, the process becomes more problematic and complex, as the cancer cells are reproducing and converting more cells to cancer.

If you have abnormal bleeding in your uterus, the doctor or nurse might recommend some testing for uterine cancer. Some of the most commonly used tests are an endometrial biopsy or a hysterscopy. An endometrial biopsy is done in the office to determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Both these tests work by taking a sample from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. A doctor will then examine the samples under a microscope to determine whether cancer exists.

A number of other tests also exist for the clinical evaluation of endometrial cancer, including a pap smear (which may be either normal or show abnormal cell change), endometrial curettage, dilation and cutterage, hysteroscopy (which offers direct visualization of the uterus) or a transvaginal ultrasound - which evaluates the thickness of the endometrial wall in women with post-menstrual bleeding.

Once cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to determine its stage so that it can be treated and cured. Patients with newly-diagnosed endometrial cancer need not go through regular tests and scans, such as CT scans, to determine the stage of endometrial cancer - as this is of low yield. Instead, tumor staging is used to determine how deeply the cancer as invaded the wall of the uterus and how far it has spread around the body.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, they offer integrative, whole person care. Contact one of their representatives all day, every day by phone or online chat. Cancer Treatment Centers of America has Hospitals in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Zion Illinois, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Goodyear Arizona. For more information on their integrative treatment options for Uterine Cancer call today.