Uterine Cancer Health Center

If you have symptoms that suggest uterine cancer, your doctor will try to find out what’s causing the problems.

You may have a physical exam and blood tests, along with one or more of the following tests:

• Pelvic exam: Your doctor checks your uterus, vagina,and nearby tissues for any lumps or changes in shape or size.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound device uses sound waves to take pictures of your uterus and nearby tissues. The picture can show a uterine tumor.
• Biopsy: A sample of tissue from the suspicious area or lump is removed so it can be examined for cancer.

If cancer is found, the pathologist studies tissue samples from the uterus under a microscope to learn the grade of the tumor. The grade tells how much the tumor tissue differs from normal uterine tissue. The grade may suggest how fast the tumor is likely to grow.

Tumors with higher grades tend to grow faster and be more likely to spread than those with lower grades. Doctors use tumor grade along with other factors to suggest treatment options.