Can I Get Checked for Uterine Sarcoma Before I Have Symptoms?

Screening tests check for signs of disease in people who don’t have symptoms. There are no screening tests for uterine sarcoma for women who don’t have symptoms. Still, a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear are good ways to check your overall reproductive health.

Your doctor may suggest screening for uterine sarcoma in these cases.

• Your risk for uterine sarcoma is high.

• You have changes in your uterus that might turn into cancer.

If your doctor thinks you are at high risk, he or she can check for uterine sarcoma in these 2 ways.

• Endometrial sampling. Your doctor takes a small sample of cells from the lining of your uterus. This sample is also called a biopsy. To do this, your doctor inserts a thin flexible tube through your vagina and into your uterus. Your doctor then removes some cells through this tube. A doctor looks at the cells under a microscope to check for cancer. This test may cause you discomfort, such as cramps and bleeding. The procedure has a risk for possible infection. In rare cases, the wall of your uterus could be punctured.

• Transvaginal ultrasound. Your doctor puts a probe into your vagina. The probe sends out sound waves that echo off the walls of your uterus and other pelvic organs. A computer translates these sound waves into an image on a nearby screen. In this way, your doctor can see pictures of the inside of your uterus that may show whether there is a tumor present.

Neither of these tests is completely accurate. It’s possible that your doctor may not be able to detect cancer--even when it is present. On the other hand, it is also possible that it might look like you have cancer when you don’t. If needed, your doctor can confirm if you have cancer by doing more tests.