Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

It’s important to diagnose cervical cancer early and accurately and find out if it has spread. This helps doctors choose the best treatment. At UT MD Anderson, our pathologists, diagnostic radiologists and specially trained technicians use the most modern and accurate equipment to diagnose cervical cancer and the stage of the disease, which increases the likelihood treatment will be successful.

Cervical cancer diagnostic tests

If symptoms or Pap test results suggest precancerous cells or cervical cancer, the patient’s doctor will conduct an examination and ask questions about her health; lifestyle habits; and family medical history.

One or more of the following tests may be used to find out if you have cervical cancer and if it has spread. These tests also may be used to find out if treatment is working.

Colposcopy: This test uses an instrument called a colposcope to look more closely at an area of abnormal tissue on the cervix, vagina or vulva. A colposcope is a microscope designed to examine the cervix. It looks like a pair of binoculars on a stand.

Biopsy: During a biopsy to look for cervical cancer, the doctor removes a small amount of tissue from the cervix to observe under a microscope. Types of cervical biopsies include:

• Punch biopsy: The tissue sample is removed from the cervix using biopsy forceps, an instrument used to grasp tissue firmly and remove it.
• Endocervical curettage (ECC): A tissue sample is scraped from an area just past the opening of the cervix using a curette (small, spoon-shaped instrument) or a thin, soft brush.
• LEEP (Loop electro-surgical excision procedure): This test uses a small wire that is heated with low-voltage, high-frequency radio waves to remove cells from the cervix.
• Cone biopsy: A cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed so the pathologist can see if abnormal cells are in the tissue beneath the surface of the cervix. A scalpel (small sharp knife) is used in an operating room with local or general anesthesia. The amount of tissue removed is larger than that removed with other types of biopsy. This type of biopsy can be done by one of the following methods:
• Cystoscopy or proctoscopy: If a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer and her doctor thinks it may have spread, she may have a cytoscopy or proctoscopy or both. These tests use lighted tubes to view the inside of the bladder (cystoscopy) or the anus, rectum and lower colon (proctoscopy).

Imaging tests, which may include:

• CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scans
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
• PET (positron emission tomography) scans
• Chest X-ray
• Ultrasound

Lymph node dissection: Lymph nodes are removed to help find if cancer has spread.

Getting a Second Opinion at UT MD Anderson

The pathologists at UT MD Anderson are highly specialized in diagnosing and staging cervical cancers and welcome the opportunity to provide second opinions.

Some people have an elevated risk of developing cervical cancer. Review the cervical cancer screening guidelines  to see if you need to be tested.  

Behavioral and lifestyle changes can help prevent cervical cancer. Visit our prevention and screening section to learn how to manage your risk.