If you have unusual vaginal bleeding, it is likely that your GP will carry out a physical examination of your vagina.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms, when they happen and how often. They'll also ask about your general health.
Transvaginal ultrasound (TVU)
If no obvious cause can be found for your symptoms, you may be referred for a transvaginal ultrasound (TVU).
TVU is a type of ultrasound scan that uses a small scanner, in the form of a probe. This is placed directly into the vagina to obtain a detailed picture of the inside of the uterus. The probe can feel a little uncomfortable, but shouldn't be painful.
The TVU checks whether there are any changes to the thickness of the lining of your uterus that could be caused by the presence of cancerous cells.
Biopsy
If the results of the TVU do detect changes in the thickness of the lining of the uterus, you will usually have a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
In a biopsy, a small sample of cells is taken from the lining of the womb (the endometrium). The sample is then checked at a laboratory for the presence of cancerous cells.
The biopsy can be carried out in a number of ways.
- Aspiration biopsy: a small flexible tube is inserted into your vagina and up into your womb. This then sucks up a small sample of cells.
- Hysteroscopy: this allows the doctor to look at the inside of the womb using a thin type of telescope called a hysteroscope. This is inserted through your vagina and into your womb. It enables the doctor to look at the lining of the womb and take a sample from it.
For most women, the tests can be done at the outpatient clinic, but some may find the tests painful and need to be admitted for a general anaesthetic.
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Tests if you're diagnosed with endometrial cancer
If you're diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you may have further tests that can help to determine the stage of the cancer. Staging the cancer will allow the doctors to work out how large the cancer is, whether or not it has spread and the best treatment options for you.
These further tests may include:
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