Cervical Cancer – Examination & Testing

Precancerous alterations in the cervical cells and cervical cancer are undecipherable to the naked vision. Specialised testing and devices are required for diagnosing such conditions.

• Pap smear screenings are carried out for detecting pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions, though it doesn’t provide the absolute analysis.
• In case of any anomalous changes being spotted, the cervix is generally inspected microscopically. This is known as colposcopy.
• During biopsy, the surgical removal of a small section of the tissue is done that is forwarded for further laboratory investigation.

Other testing methods might comprise of:

• Endocervical curettage or ECC: is employed for examination of the cervical region.
• Cold Knife Cone biopsy: This surgical procedure is conducted for getting anomalous tissue samples from the cervix to be sent for detailed evaluation. This test is performed under general anesthesia for diagnosis and treatment of early cancerous changes in the cervix. During the procedure conducted in the hospital, a tiny cone-like tissue sample is taken from the cervix and scrutinized microscopically for any symptoms of cancer. This form of biopsy might also be inclusive of the treatment procedure for removal of all malignant tissues.

In case of being detected with cervical cancer, the woman would be ordered to undergo additional tests by the health care provider in order to ascertain the extent or staging of cancer proliferation. Tests might comprise of:

• CT scan.
• MRI scan.
• An x-ray of the chest region.
• Cystoscopy or Cystourethroscopy – A procedure conducted for viewing the interiors of the bladder and the urethra by employing a special tube fitted with a miniscule camera on its tip known as the endoscope.

There are two kinds of cystoscopes used namely: Standard Rigid Cystoscope and the Flexible Cystoscope. The manner of insertion seems to vary though the test is conducted in analogous manner. The type of cystoscope being used by the doctor is dependent on the reason why the examination is done. In case a standard rigid cystoscope is employed, the person would need to lie down flat on the back with knees raised up and separate. This posture would be unnecessary in case of a flexible cystoscope.

The procedure generally requires five to twenty minutes in which cleansing of the urethra is done and the patient is given a local anesthesia. Water or saline solution is passed through the cystoscope for filling the bladder via a scope that is introduced inside the bladder through the urethra. The bladder wall tends to expand as the fluid inundates the bladder. This is done so that the bladder wall could be completely viewed. One might sense fullness in the bladder during the entire course of the examination. A part of the tissue sample is removed via the cystoscope in case of presence of dubious tissue to be examined microscopically.

• Intravenous Pyelogram: This is a specialised assessment of the kidneys, urinary bladder and ureters that is conducted in the radiology section of the hospital by an x-ray technician. The bladder might be needed to be emptied prior to starting the procedure. An iodine-derived contracting dye injection is intravenously administered in the arm. Sequences of x-rays are captured at varying times for observing the manner in which the kidneys excrete the dye and the way it accumulates in the urine.

At times, a compression device – a broad belt having two inflatable balloons might be employed for maintaining  the contrast matter in the kidneys. This hour long procedure would conclude with one required to pass urine again for checking the way in which the bladder is emptying.

A regular diet and medicines could be resumed following the procedure. One should consume loads of fluids for aiding in easy removal of all the contrast dye from the system.

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