Your doctor can find abnormalities in your uterus and cervix during a pelvic exam, as well as with a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. You may also have a hysteroscopy, in which a flexible, lighted tube is inserted into your uterus so your doctor can look around.

There are two procedures to diagnose endometrial cancer. The first is an endometrial biopsy. Your doctor will remove a few cells of the endometrium, usually in the office, to study them under a microscope and look for abnormalities of cell shape, structure, or growth. The second is a surgical procedure called a dilation and curettage (D&C). Under anesthesia, your cervix is dilated, and endometrial cells are extracted and evaluated in the same way.

If a cancer diagnosis is made, your doctor will probably order more tests to determine if cancer has spread outside of your uterus. These tests can include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, chest X-ray, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and blood tests. The results of these tests will determine the staging of your cancer:

Stage I: The cancer is only in your uterus.
Stage II: The cancer is in your uterus and cervix.
Stage III: The cancer has spread beyond the uterus and may be in your pelvic lymph nodes, but it hasn't gotten outside of your pelvic area.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread outside your pelvic area, possibly to your bladder, rectum, or other areas.