Further tests for womb cancer

If your earlier tests show you have womb cancer, you will need to have more tests to find the position of the cancer and how big it is. The tests will also show if the cancer has spread to surrounding body tissues or to more distant parts of the body. This helps your doctor to stage your cancer. Staging means finding out how far the cancer has grown, and whether it has spread. The results will help to decide on the best possible treatment for you.

Your doctor may want you to have a chest X-ray to 

• Check your fitness for a general anaesthetic  
• Check for signs of cancer spread to the lungs

Your doctor may suggest you have one or both of these scans to see if your cancer has grown into the neck of the womb (your cervix), or into the muscle wall of the womb and if so how far. There is information in the sections about having a CT scan and having an MRI scan.

This procedure is sometimes called an EUA and is done under a general anaesthetic. This means your specialist (gynaecologist) can examine you physically, look for signs of cancer spread and take biopsies if necessary. The examination includes checking

• The size of your womb, and whether it moves as it should
• Your cervix and vagina
• Inside your bladder
• Inside your rectum

To check inside your bladder the doctor uses a cystoscope. This is a thin tube with a light attached, which can check for signs of cancer in the bladder. To check inside your back passage (rectum), the doctor can use a gloved finger to feel for any growths. Or an instrument called a proctoscope can be used to examine the rectal wall more closely. If the doctor sees any abnormal areas during these tests, a small sample of the abnormal area (a biopsy) may be taken and sent to the lab for examination under a microscope.

This test shows up the kidneys, bladder and the tubes that connect them. An IVU may also show up areas of cancer spread – or rule them out. This test is not used as much as it used to be. It is more likely that you may have a CT or MRI scan. There is information about having an IVU or IVP.

A PET scan can show how active cells are. Cells that are very active use a lot of energy and this can show up on a PET scan. PET scans are not used routinely for diagnosing womb cancer. Currently, doctors are probably most likely to ask for a PET scan to try to find out whether an abnormal area is scar tissue or active cancer cells. This can be particularly useful for ruling out cancer recurrence where there is past scarring from surgery or radiotherapy. There is more information about having a PET scan.

Your doctor will arrange routine blood tests to check your general health. Blood tests can also check whether your kidneys and liver are working properly.

Your doctor will ask you to go back to the hospital when your test results have come through. After the first set of tests you may need further scans such as another CT or MRI scan. This is to check for possible cancer spread in more detail. The test results may take a little time, even if only a week or so. 

Many people feel very anxious during this time. While you are waiting for the results it may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience. Look at our list of general cancer organisations for organisations that can help put you in touch with a support group.

Our womb cancer organisations page has details of people who can help and support you. If you want to find people to share experiences with online, you could use CancerChat, our online forum. Or go through MyWavelength. This is a free service that aims to put people with similar medical conditions in touch with each other.