Diagnosis of gynaecological cancer
If your GP thinks you have symptoms that could be caused by a gynaecological cancer, they will refer you to a gynaecologist or a gynae-oncologist (a specialist in gynaecological cancers).
As part of the pathway for diagnosis and management of gynaecological cancer, patients may be referred for a number of investigations. These investigations allow doctors to make a diagnosis to see the extent of any disease.
Some investigations are used for all types of gynaecological cancer, while others are used only for specific types. Diagnostic investigations may include:
- Biopsy
- EUA (examination under anaesthetic) is performed when a patient cannot be adequately examined without sedation or general anaesthesia
- Laparoscopy
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- PET scan
- Colposcopy
- Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ)
- Cone biopsy (cervical)
Staging and grading
Your gynaecological cancer specialist needs certain information about the cancer to decide on the most appropriate treatment for you. This includes the stage and grade of the cancer. The stage of a cancer describes its size, position and whether it has spread to beyond the area of the body where it started.
For more information on staging and grading gynaecological cancer, please visit the staging and grading sections of each gynaecological cancer sections on the Macmillan Cancer Support website.
Results
The results of your tests, scans and investigations will be discussed at the regional Gynae-Oncology Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting. The MDT is a well established group of specialists comprising of doctors, nurses, radiographers and other healthcare professionals who manage the treatment of gynae cancers.
The team will review all aspects of your care and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. A member of the team will discuss this with you.
