How is endometrial cancer diagnosed? Uterine cancer can be examined by vaginal ultrasound
How to effectively diagnose endometrial cancer? Endometrial cancer is more common in women aged 50~60 years old, it is a common cancer in the female reproductive system, ranking fourth among the most common cancers in women. For the examination and diagnosis of endometrial cancer, commonly used methods include histopathological examination, cytology, vaginal ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Below, we will mainly learn about the common imaging tests for endometrial cancer.
Imaging tests for endometrial cancer
1. Vaginal B ultrasound examination: Vaginal B ultrasound examination should be used before surgery to predict the depth of cancer tumor invasion muscle.
In 33% of patients with muscle-layer invasion, 100% of patients were reported to have vaginal ultrasound ≥. The coincidence rate between preoperative ultrasound examination and postoperative pathological diagnosis was 92%.
2. MRI and CT: mainly used to observe the uterine cavity and cervical lesions, especially the depth of myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis. Due to the strong resolution of MRI on soft tissues, MRI is superior to CT in the diagnosis of uterine lesions.
3. Lymphography: used to detect lymphatic metastasis before surgery. Lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer is increasingly being paid attention to and recognized, and depending on its lymphatic drainage and metastasis pathways, cancer cells can directly reach the presacral and para-abdominal para-aortic lymph nodes, or metastasize to the inguinal lymph nodes through the round ligament. If the tumour has invaded the cervical canal, it will metastasize to the iliac lymph nodes after invading the lymph nodes, as in the primary cervical cancer.
4. Hysteroscopy: In the past 20 years, hysteroscopy and operation have been widely used, which is particularly helpful for the diagnosis of endometrial lesions. Endometrial cancer can be microscopicly polyp, nodul, papillary, ulcerative, and diffuse, and microscopic biopsy of suspicious sites can confirm the diagnosis, avoiding the mistake of routine diagnosis and curettage.
How can I prevent endometrial cancer?
At present, the cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, but it is mostly seen with the following risk factors: (1) long-term menstrual disorders; (2) Infertility: especially infertility caused by ovarian non-ovulation; (3) Physical factors: such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes; (4) Exogenous estrogen: in the absence of progesterone antagonism, or when the progesterone content is insufficient, long-term estrogen replacement therapy, late menopause, will lead to endometrial hyperplasia, and even cancer; (5) Genetic factors: about 20% of patients with endometrial cancer have a family history.
Although the cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, and there is no good way to prevent it, regular annual check-ups should be advocated.