Tests after diagnosis of cervical cancer

Your gynaecologist will probably want to do some further tests to check your general health and see whether the cancer has spread beyond the cervix. The tests may include any of the following:

Blood tests Back To Top

A sample of blood is taken to check the number of blood cells and to see how well your kidneys and liver are working.

Chest x-ray Back To Top

This is to check that your lungs and heart are healthy.

Examination under anaesthetic (EUA) Back To Top

This is an examination of the vagina and cervix under a general anaesthetic. It allows the doctor to examine you thoroughly without it being uncomfortable. The doctor may also take a look into your bladder and the lower end of your large bowel (the colon and rectum) to see if the cancer has spread.

To look into your bladder the doctor will use a cystoscope, which is a small, flexible, fibre-optic tube with a light. If there are any abnormal areas the doctor can use the cystoscope to take biopsies.

To look into the lower end of the colon and the rectum the doctor uses a similar tube called a procto-sigmoidoscope. The doctor will also be able to take biopsies of any abnormal areas.

While you are under anaesthetic, a biopsy of the womb lining (endometrium) is also usually taken. To do this, a small probe called a hysteroscope is put into the womb and a sample of cells is taken for examination under a microscope. It is quite normal to have some slight bleeding for a couple of days after this examination.

CT (computerised tomography) scan Back To Top

In this scan, several x-rays are taken of the pelvic area and fed into a computer. This builds up a detailed picture of the size and position of the cancer.

Before the scan you will be asked to drink a special liquid which shows up on x-ray. Just before the scan, a tampon may be put into the vagina and the nurse may pass a liquid, that shows up on x-ray, into your back passage (rectum). This helps the scan to give the best possible picture. Once you are lying in a comfortable position, the scan will be taken. It is painless but it will mean lying still for 10–30 minutes.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan Back To Top

This test is similar to a CT scan, but uses magnetism instead of x rays to build up cross-sectional pictures of your body.

During the test you will be asked to lie very still on a couch inside a long tube for about 30 minutes. It can be slightly uncomfortable and some people feel claustrophobic. It is also very noisy, but you will be given earplugs or headphones to wear and many hospitals will play music for you during the scan. You can often take in your own favourite tape or CD.

The chamber is a very powerful magnet, so before going into the room you should remove any metal items you may be wearing. People who have heart pacemakers or certain types of surgical clips cannot have an MRI because of the magnetic fields.

Pelvic ultrasound Back To Top

This test may be used to measure the size and position of the cancer.

You will be asked to drink plenty of fluids before your test so that your bladder is full and a clear picture can be seen. Once you are lying comfortably on the couch a gel is spread over your abdomen. A small microphone-like device, which produces sound waves, is then rubbed over the skin and the echoes are converted into a picture by a computer.

Ultrasound is completely painless and only takes a few minutes.

Alternatively, a probe (like a tube) may be placed in your vagina to produce an ultrasound picture of your pelvis. This can be uncomfortable, but is not painful and only takes a few minutes.

Waiting for your test results Back To Top

It will probably take several days for the results of these tests to be ready. The waiting period will obviously be an anxious time for you. It may help if you can find a close friend or relative to talk things over with. You can also contact our cancer support specialists| or another organisation.