If a woman has abnormal bleeding or other suspicious symptoms, she should see her gynecologist for a pelvic examination and pap test. A transvaginal ultrasound done at that time can determine whether there are any abnormal areas of endometrial thickening and identify suspicious areas, which may warrant a biopsy.
In order to diagnose endometrial carcinoma, a sample of tissue must be examined under a microscope. An endometrial biopsy can be done in the office. It does not require anesthesia and is generally well tolerated. A thin flexible tube is inserted into the uterus through the cervix and using suction and a sample of the endometrial lining is removed. If the sample is insufficient or nondiagnostic then a better sample can be obtained doing a procedure called a dilation and curettage, or D&C. A D&C is performed in an operating room under anesthesia. The cervix is dilated and some cells from the inner lining of the uterus are curretagged, or scraped.
Once endometrial cancer has been diagnosed, the patient may undergo additional imaging or testing to evaluate the extent of disease. These include chest xray, CT or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, cystoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy depending on a patient’s symptoms.
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