Cancer of the Uterus
Alternate Names : Uterine Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Cancer of the Endometrium
How is the disease diagnosed?
A
Pap smear is not intended to diagnose uterine cancer. This test is
used to diagnose cancer of the cervix. However, Pap smears occasionally show
changes in endometrial cells. If this occurs, a biopsy or dilatation
and curettage, or D&C, will be done. This involves scraping the
uterine wall to gather more cells from the lining of the uterus.
If advanced cancer is suspected, other tests may be
done, such as the following:
a complete blood count to rule out anemia, which is a low red blood cell
count
a test to make sure that cancer has not spread to the kidneys
ultrasound of the vagina
a
chest X-ray to make sure that the cancer has not spread to the
lungs
liver function tests to make sure that the cancer has not spread to
the liver
bone
scan to be sure that the cancer has not spread to the bones
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