Cancer Diagnosis

If your PCP suspects colon cancer, the next step is to see a Gastroenterologist who will schedule a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Once this is done, surgery is likely the next step. Subsequent chemotherapy & radiation will depend on the extent of spread of cancer, age & the medical condition of the patient.

Uterine cancer is a type of tumor that develops in the area of uterus. This cancer kills more than 40,000 people every year in America. This cancer is also known as endometrial cancer. Symptoms of this tumor are very difficult to detect. This tumor usually gets diagnosed in the advanced stages and tends to develop at a rapid rate. If proper preventive steps are taken the occurrence of this tumor can be avoided. Uterine cancer diagnosis includes all the techniques that are conducted to detect the location of the tumor and its widespread throughout the body. Uterine cancer detection done at early stages helps to start the treatment within proper time and thus prevents the spread of the tumor.

Uterine Cancer Diagnosis:-

Uterine cancer detections are done by conducting several tests. These tests include:-

• Endometrial Biopsy
  
• Dilation and Curettage
  
• Positron Emission Tomography
  
• Magnetic Resource Imaging
  
• Blood Tests

Explanation of Uterine cancer diagnosis:-

• Endometrial Biopsy :-
  
  This test is known for giving an accurate diagnosis of this tumor. In this test a small cut is made in the area of uterus. Then a small tube is inserted in the area of uterus and the samples of malignant cells are taken out. Later this sample is examined with the help of several tests and the type of tumor and its widespread throughout the body is detected. This tumor is later removed with the help of surgery.
  
  
• Dilation and Curettage :-
  
  Dilation and Curettage is considered as one of the finest test for diagnosing this tumor. A local anaesthesia is given before conducting this test. Later the cervix area is widened and a small part of the tumor is removed. This part is later examined by conducting several tests. If the tumor is of small type it is removed with the help of surgery and if the size of the tumor is big, Chemotherapy or radiation therapy are performed.
  
  
• Positron Emission Tomography :-
  
  This technique is considered as the latest breakthrough in the diagnosis department. This technique involves the use of radioactive glucose for detecting the tumor. The malignant cells of this tumor tend to consume more glucose than the normal ones. So in this procedure more amount of glucose is injected into the body. The malignant cells near the tumor area try to cosume a large amount of this glucose. Later radioactive waves are passed throughout the body and the spread of these malignant cells throughout the body is detected. This procedure helps to give an accurate diagnosis of the tumor but is generally avoided if the patient is found to be diabetic.
  
  
• Magnetic Resource Imaging :-
  
  This test is considered as the common technique for diagnose the tumor. In this technique highly transmissible radioactive waves are used. These waves travel throughout the area of the location and magnetic substances give a graphical analysis of the area of tumor, tumor type and the widespread of the malignant cells. These graphs are later examined and the type of treatment to be undertaken is decided.
  
  
• Transvaginal Ultrasound :-
  
  This test involves the use of sound waves for the detection of the tumor. This test is considered as the most common test conducted for uterine cancer detection. In this test certain sound waves are releases at the location of the tumor in a typical manner. When these waves travel throughout the location a graphical picture of the tumor gets developed. Later these pictures are examined and the type of tumor is diagnosed.

Uterine cancer diagnosis has to done as soon as the symptoms of this tumor are observed. Early Uterine cancer detection helps to cure the tumor successfully. Consultation of a reputed surgeon is recommended for the diagnosis of this tumor.

Read more on http://www.cancer8.com/endometrial-cancer/diagnosis.html

Good question, not sure I really ever thought about it. With Ovarian Cancer they technically can not diagnosis you until they do surgery. They can't do a biopsy per say like can be done with Breast Cancer but based on all my symptoms and the physical issues I was experiencing & the visit to an oncologist I knew it was cancer 3 weeks before my surgery. I wouldn't say I was in denial, quite the contrary, but I tried to seperate my emotions from the facts. I went into research mode & spent days on end on the internet learming all I could about Ovarian Cancer, treatments, statistics & so on, all of which scared me to death. For me it was all about finding the right doctor, hospital, course of treatment etc. Doing these things let me feel like I had control over something I really had no control over. Late at night usually though the fear of the unknown that comes with a cancer diagnosis would creep up on me and I was filled with the fear of the fact that I had cancer and I was going to die. I was very frank and open with my family. I went for a CT scan on a Friday at 12 noon and at 4pm the internist called me to tell me they had found a HUGE abdominal mass and ascites (free floating fluid in the abdomen)and we set up and appointment that following Monday. When I got off the phone with her I googled "abdominal mass and ascites" & kept coming up with Ovarian Cancer links. I called my husband and my mom and told them exactly what I was finding and they were trying to tell me that I was jumping to conclusions, to get off the internet and wait until I saw the doctor on Monday. Well by Monday I had the name of an amazing world renowned gyn/oncologist and was calling his office and had an appointment set for that Wednesday. It was hard telling them this as the day I saw the oncologist was 5 years to the day that my dad received his cancer diagnosis & he passed away 6 days after that. My husband & family were and still are amazing and very supportive.

Unfortunately there is no easy and reliable way to diagnose ovarian cancer early. When the cancer is far enough along to start causing symptoms of pelvic pressure, urinary frequency, feeling full after eating small quantities of food, and tummy enlargement from fluid in the abdomen and pelvis, it is almost always at least Stage lll and easily seen with a sonogram or CAT scan or MRI. The symptoms of early ovarian cancer are subtle and often misconstrued as bowel problems. They are sometimes called the ovarian cancer "whisper" because they aren't easily heard. Burping or excess flatulence more than half the time, should prompt a visit to be checked. Most gynecologists will perform a pelvic exam. I would suggest a transvaginal sonogram (TVU) to look for cysts and fluid. If there is fluid in the pelvis that can be sampled with a needle, the diagnosis can be made from finding ovarian cancer cells in the fluid. Usually the TVU is diagnostic at that point anyway and sampling the fluid is just confirming the diagnosis. Sadly, the TVU may not show anything worrisome in the earliest stages of ovarian cancer. Often patients with and without symptoms ask for a CA 125 blood test or the newer OVA1 test to look for cancer. These tests are not good for screening because of the high false positive rate. In my experience they often come back high when there is no obvious abnormality. Then what? The patient undergoes surgery because they get nervous. Hopefully the answer to the dilemma of diagnosing ovarian cancer is right around corner.

I agree! That was a great answer, Martine! And, Yes, IT IS super important NOT to ACT on any medical procedure until all the options are on the table. Within the last month, I had my sister discussing a situation with me about a friend's recent breast cancer dx. She was still considering a bilateral mastectomy. I suggested my sister might try to see if she could have her friend delay that surgery. There was no stopping her. Fast forward a few weeks and circumstances tipped the scale. The plastic surgeon did not see a problem but did indicate she **might** encounter an issue with a one step implant (no tissue expanders) due to the scar tissue from the lumpectomy.

BREATHE, BREATHE and BREATHE some more......

Also, helpful to talk to a patient volunteer who can discuss the less clinical and more practical side of the decision making process. Of course, as a patient volunteer, I can only share what worked for me. And, I can help decipher the options provided by the medical team.

Just another thing to consider....

For me that was an important issue. My kids were 18months and 3 1/2 yrs old when I was diagnosed. My youngest didn't understand much of what was going on, but was really close to his mommy. We tried to prepare him each time we knew I would stay for extended period in the hospital, just so it wouldn't surprise him as much. But as for the cancer itself we didn't discuss it with him.

For my oldest, that was another story. First, she was extremely sensible to the tension that installed itself in our house and the following stress. SHe also asked a lot of question. I soon realized she dealt with things better and more easily when she knew what was coming. So we borrowed a book from the cancer psychiatry unit: a story where a mom was getting sick and then got better. It helped her focus her questions and me direct the information better. I wanted her not to be too afraid of the fact I was lossing my hair (a big thing for her), that it wasn't the dr that were making me sick (because each time I came back from chemo, she always wondered why drs made me sicker instead of better, and used the scars from my the installation of a permanent portacath for chemo to gibve her a "visible wound" to focus on, since cancer was inside of me.

I know that while discussing with other moms, with older kids, being reassured about the possibility of death cvould also be a consideration. It wasn't the case with my own kids. But overall, I say don't hide it or play it down. No matter their age, kids sense things and it is less scary to be told beforehand what is coming than to have the shock to see it and not knowing what is happening exactly.

This is a critical question. I found that the medical care and treatment were outstanding but that the "soft"side was not so much in place. I connected with 2 other women who had been diagnosed at a similar time and who were also treated in the same hospital. This was invaluable and we are still in contact and now try to ensure that our checks coincide.

To be absolutely honest though, a significant support network was online. I subscribed to two Breast Cancer sites, one UK and one US based. On one site I followed a thread of women who were going through chemotherapy at the same time and although we were at opposite sides of the planet our side effects brought us together. I was able to share highly personal details with a group of women, many of whom I did not know their name!

I also blogged throughout the experience (and still do). This was a great way of communicating what was happening to friends and family far away. However more than this, it enabled me to process everything I was going through. I also find that it has provided a detailed record and document of the experience. It was an important coping strategy.

There were distinct advantages of having my treatment overseas. I was able to continue working, for example. I had virtually no waiting time for treatments and had access to top medical care and facilities. As I mentioned earlier, the gap was on the support and "soft" side and I had to make more effort in this area to find the support I needed.

I have to say that during the whole treatment period I had the support (physical, emotional and practical) of my husband who was at my side throughout.

I think it was probably harder for my family than it was for me being overseas.

Inflammatory breast cancer is suspected when you have a very red breast, the breast will become big, and this will happen within one to two month. Sometime it could be faster. You do not have to feel a mass. Therefore, it is commonly misdiagnosed as mastitis (infection of the breast). The only way to make the diagnosis of the IBC is to have a biopsy and look under the microscope. Combination of the biopsy and clinical presentation confirms the diagnosis of IBC.

I find Attai's very interesting. I was referred to a breast surgeon by a Dr of Radiology. My breast surgeon told me flat out "you will need surgery for sure" and then she did the surgery. She is a past President of ACS in my area and one of the doctors on the board of directors at the hospital I had the surgery at. It confuses me to see a statement "Once cancer is diagnosed, the breast surgeon will work with the medical oncologist and radiation oncologist as a team to decide in a multidisciplinary fashion what the best treatment is. " It makes me feel that I am having treatment done backward. I don't know. I return to the surgeon on the 30th (my lumpectomy was done on the 19th). The tumor is stage 2A. No spread to the nodes. I have to wonder how my treatment is going to be handled. I don't think the surgeon will be dishing out what a radiology oncologist is supposed to be doing. This surgeon also said she believes I will NEED chemo. I am not accepting that yet. I did find out about Oncotype DX which will help with MY decision to go ahead with chemo or not. I am just confused about what Dr Attai says here. I need to know that I am on the right road to recovery.

Our boys were 3 and 4 at the time. We chose not to say anything until we knew more about the plan for treatment. However, children are very intuitive. Before we told them, by four year old began asking questions. "Mommy, is one of your friends sick?" No dear.
"Is one of your friends dying?" No dear. I could tell he was affected by all the hushed conversations. When we did tell them, we explained that mommy had some stuff inside her that was making her sick and the doctor needs to take it out. The 4yr old had had some minor surgery the year prior. He asked me if I would be going to the same hosp, i said yes, He asked me if the doctor would use the same tools. I said yes. He then looked at me and said, "Oh, then you will be fine." and scampered off. When I came home, he helped with the drains, and it made him feel so important. The younger one really did not comprehend any of this, and neither remembers anything. I never said the word cancer. At the time, my mother was losing her battle, and died seven months later, and my older son's best friend's mother was losing her battle. We feared that if the boys knew I had cancer, they would think I would soon die. I would not change the way I handled it, except maybe to tell them at least something right away. I am sure the wheels were going in their heads and likely this caused some stress.