Most women have a pelvic examination as a first step in the diagnostic process. 

Your gynecologist may recommend other tests for uterine cancer, including:

  • Endometrial biopsy: A small sample of the uterine lining is removed for testing.
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C): Tissue from the uterine lining is scraped and checked for cancer cells.
  • Hysteroscopy: A thin, lighted tube is inserted through the vagina and cervix to visually inspect the inside of the uterus.
  • Transvaginal ultrasound: A probe is inserted into the vagina to capture images of the uterus, assessing its thickness and texture.

We may do other tests to see if uterine cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) scans. During surgery, we also remove nearby lymph nodes to see if they contain cancer cells. This process, called staging, is important to determine the best treatment for you.