Diagnosing Cervical Cancer

Learning that you have cervical cancer may come as a surprise. Many patients have no symptoms. Often, they find out that something is wrong after a routine pelvic exam and Pap test. At Siteman, we understand what you’re going through. We’ll treat you with respect and dignity as we work to bring you an accurate diagnosis.   

What is the first step in a cervical cancer diagnosis?

The first step in a cervical cancer diagnosis is a routine test called a Pap test. During this test, a doctor will carefully swab the cervix to collect a sample of cells. An expert called a pathologist studies the cells under a microscope. If the cells look abnormal, it could mean that cancer is present. If any of the cells are infected with HPV, or human papilloma virus, that is another cause for concern.  

It’s important for women to get regular Pap tests with a pelvic exam starting at the age of 21. Learn more about screening guidelines for cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Some patients with cervical cancer may notice the following symptoms:

• Pain or pressure in the lower belly, or pelvis. 
• Pain and/or vaginal bleeding after having sex.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. 

Why Choose Siteman for Your Cancer Diagnosis?

It’s crucial to get a correct diagnosis of your cancer. Otherwise, your treatments won’t work the way they should. At Siteman, we’ll make sure your diagnosis is right. When you come to see us, any tests you’ve had before will be reviewed again by WashU Medicine pathologists to make sure everything is accurate.  

For your convenience, we try to make your visits with us as efficient as possible. This means you might have multiple tests and appointments on the same day so you don’t have to spend as much time traveling to and from one of our locations. 

What to expect during a diagnosis

There are a number of steps to getting a complete cervical cancer diagnosis. Your care team will probably ask you to have certain tests to pinpoint what is going on. 

At Siteman, we understand that getting medical tests can be anxiety-inducing. We will do everything we can to help you feel comfortable and safe with us. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or to speak up if there’s something you need.  

Tests for cervical cancer include:

• Colposcopy: During this test, your doctor will look at your cervix with a magnifying tool called a colposcope and check for signs of pre-cancer or cancer. The colposcope is only used to look and never touches your body. This is a simple procedure that can be done in your doctor’s office.   
• Biopsy: Your doctor will remove a very small piece of tissue from your cervix and send it to a laboratory so it can be checked for cancerous cells. A biopsy can be done at the same time as a colposcopy. You’ll get medicine to help numb the area to manage any discomfort.    
• Cone biopsy: This is a type of biopsy that can be used to remove all abnormal cells from the cervix. During a cone biopsy, a larger, cone-shaped sample of tissue is taken out. Sometimes, it’s the only treatment necessary for pre-cancer or early cervical cancer that has not spread. You’ll have a cone biopsy in an operating room. You’ll get medicine to numb the area or to make you sleep.  
• Imaging tests: These are tests that take pictures of the inside of the body. If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, you might have imaging tests to see if the cancer has spread. These might include an ultrasound, a CT scan, an MRI, or a PET scan.  

Staging cervical cancer

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, your WashU Medicine physicians will find out how far the cancer has spread. This is called “staging” the cancer. It helps your care team develop the right treatment plan for you.
  
Cervical cancer is staged from Stage 1 (I) to Stage 4 (IV). At Stage 1, the cancer is only in the cervix. By Stage 4, the cancer has spread outside of the lower belly, or pelvis.