Uterine Cancer

How Is Uterine Cancer Diagnosed?

The health care provider will make a diagnosis from the medical history, physical examination, and endometrial biopsy. In this biopsy, the doctor will take a tissue sample from the uterus and test it for cancer. Uterine cancer can spread to the bladder, rectum, and other organs. Other tests will be done to stage the cancer—find out whether it has spread and how far. Tests include Pap smears, mammography, blood tests, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and scraping the uterine wall.

How Is Uterine Cancer Treated?

Treatment depends on the cancer’s spread. Usually the uterus and tumor, ovaries, and fallopian tubes will be removed in surgery.

Then radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, cortisone drugs, and chemotherapy may be used to shrink remaining cancer and prevent spread of cancer. An oncologist (doctor specializing in cancer) will help in your care.

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing Uterine Cancer:

• DO find a surgeon and oncologist with experience in uterine cancer treatment.
• DO keep health care provider appointments during and after treatment to watch for side effects and return of cancer.
• DO resume sex and normal activities 4 to 8 weeks after surgery.
• DO realize that if you haven’t gone through menopause, you won’t have periods after your operation. You may have symptoms such as hot flashes if both of your ovaries were removed during surgery.
• DO call your health care provider if you have abnormal vaginal discharge (smell, amount, color).
• DO call your health care provider if you need emotional support.
• DO call your health care provider if you have side effects of treatment, signs of infection (fever, muscle aches, headache), or new, unexplained symptoms.

• DON’T ignore vaginal bleeding before or after menopause.