Blood tests can help diagnose, stage, and determine how to treat uterine cancer. If your doctor suspects you have uterine cancer, they’ll also order imaging tests and a biopsy to confirm it.
There are currently no screening tests for uterine cancer. However, if you’re having symptoms like abnormal uterine bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge, your doctor can order blood tests.
Continue reading to learn more about blood tests as well as other tests that doctors use to detect uterine cancer.
Medical professionals can use blood tests during the early stages of a uterine cancer diagnosis. The test results can give your doctor a better idea of your overall health and may also flag markers that signal the presence of cancer.
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You will need additional tests, like imaging and biopsy, to confirm a diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a biopsy by removing a small tissue sample and closely analyzing it.
If a medical professional has already diagnosed you with uterine cancer, they can also use blood tests to monitor how effective your treatment is.
Doctors can use a couple of different blood tests to help detect uterine cancer. We’ll explore each of them in a little more detail below.
CA-125 test
CA-125 is a tumor marker. Generally speaking, tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or produced by the body in response to cancer.
CA-125 is most commonly associated with ovarian cancer, but it can be made by other tissues, such as the endometrium (uterine lining).
High levels of CA-125 in the blood can signal that endometrial cancer has
Complete blood count
A complete blood count is a common type of blood test that you typically have during a routine physical. It measures the levels of different cells in the blood.
Since uterine cancer can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, it can lead to anemia. Anemia is when your red blood cell (RBC) counts are lower than normal.
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In addition to blood tests, your doctor will order several other tests to diagnose uterine cancer.
A healthcare professional can use an abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound to look for uterine cancer. A transvaginal ultrasound can also help determine the thickness of the endometrium, which is often thicker in endometrial cancer.
Then, a doctor will need a biopsy sample to confirm a diagnosis of uterine cancer. This may involve:
- endometrial biopsy, which uses suction to remove a small sample of the endometrium
- hysteroscopy
- dilation and curettage (D&C)
A medical professional will test the biopsy sample in a lab to look for cancer cells. They can also do additional tests on the sample to further characterize the cancer.
If a doctor has diagnosed you with uterine cancer, further imaging tests can help determine the extent or stage of the cancer. These tests may include:
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal uterine bleeding. This is bleeding that:
- occurs after menopause
- happens between periods
- is heavier, longer, or more irregular than is typical for your period
Additional symptoms of uterine cancer can include:
- unusual vaginal discharge
- abdominal or pelvic pain
- bloating
- changes to bladder or bowel habits, such as painful urination or constipation
- unintended weight loss
- an abdominal mass that you can feel
Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have uterine cancer. However, it’s still important to speak with your doctor about any symptoms like abnormal uterine bleeding. They can order tests to determine what’s going on.
The outlook for uterine cancer improves the sooner a doctor
Doctors can use blood tests to help diagnose and stage uterine cancer. They may also use them to monitor the effectiveness of uterine cancer treatment.
However, there’s currently no blood test that can definitely diagnose uterine cancer. Imaging tests and analysis of a biopsy sample are essential to confirm the diagnosis.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal uterine bleeding, so it’s important to speak with your doctor if you develop this or other concerning symptoms. Your doctor can do tests to help find the cause of your symptoms.
