Tests & Procedures

Physical Exam and History
An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of uterus pain, lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Pelvic Exam
A pelvic exam involves an initial look at the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum. The doctor or nurse inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and the other hand is placed over the lower abdomen to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries. A speculum is also inserted into the vagina and the doctor or nurse looks at the vagina and cervix for signs of disease. A Pap test or Pap smear of the cervix is usually done. The doctor or nurse also inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps.

Testing for Endometrial Cancer
Tests that examine the endometrium are used to detect and diagnose endometrial cancer. Because endometrial cancer begins inside the uterus, it does not usually show up in the results of a Pap test. For this reason, a sample of endometrial tissue must be removed and examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Two common procedures for sampling endometrial tissue are (1) endometrial biopsy and (2) dilatation & curettage.

Endometrial Biopsy
An endometrial biopsy involves the removal of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus by inserting a thin, flexible tube through the cervix and into the uterus. The tube is used to gently scrape a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and then remove the tissue samples. A pathologist will then view the tissue under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.1

Dilatation & Curettage (D&C)
Curettage is a surgical procedure to remove samples of tissue from the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated and a curette (a metal loop on the end of a long, thin handle) is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy. This procedure is also known as a D&C. Dilation is a widening of the cervix to allow instruments into the uterus. 1

Prognosis & Treatment Options
Certain factors affect prognosis, or the chances of recovery, and treatment options. The prognosis and treatment options for cancer of the uterus depend on the following:

  1. The stage of the cancer (whether it is in the endometrium only, involves the whole uterus, or has spread to other places in the body)
  2. How the cancer cells look under a microscope
  3. Whether the cancer cells are affected by progesterone3

If your physician determines that hysterectomy is the best treatment option, you may be interested in a new, minimally-invasive approach, da Vinci Hysterectomy. Benefits of da Vinci Hysterectomy versus other treatment options may include:

  • Significantly less pain
  • Less blood loss
  • Less scarring
  • Shorter recovery time
  • A faster return to normal daily activities
  • And in many cases, better clinical outcomes

> Find out more about da Vinci Hysterectomy

  1. "General Information About Uterine Sarcoma," National Cancer Institute. www.cancer.gov. URL: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/uterinesarcoma/patient
  2. "Endometrial Cancer," American Family Physician (June 1999). URL: http://www.aafp.org/afp/990600ap/3069.html

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.    PN 871584 Rev. B 10/07

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