Early detection is the best defense against gynecologic cancers.
At the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program in Pittsburgh, PA, you have access to advanced testing options for identifying gynecologic cancers at their earliest stages — even before you feel symptoms — when they're more treatable.
We work closely with gynecologic specialists and radiologists, and can electronically send your high-quality images to any UPMC physician, expediting your treatment options.
We offer the following diagnostic tests and procedures in clean, comfortable, private testing areas:
A procedure in which a doctor or nurse uses a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick to scrape cells from the cervix and vagina.
A pathologist checks the cells under a microscope for signs of disease.
An examination of the:
During a pelvic exam, the doctor or nurse inserts:
A procedure in which a doctor inserts a needle through the skin to collect a tissue sample for review under a microscope.
A procedure in which a doctor takes a tissue sample from the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
A pathologist checks the sample under a microscope for abnormal cells or signs of cancer. You may experience some pelvic discomfort following the procedure.
A noninvasive test using high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of tumors.
For diagnosing gynecologic cancers, a specially-trained technologist may perform:
An imaging technique using a computer, a magnetic field, and radio waves to produce detailed images of the soft tissues in the body.
This test uses a special dye to produce more contrast and show more details.
An imaging procedure using x-ray technology and digital imagery to generate a precise, 3D image of a person’s body, revealing the location and shape of tumors.
Sometimes, this test uses a special dye that makes the images show more detail.
PET shows the rate at which your body breaks down sugar. Because cancer cells break down sugar faster than normal cells, a PET scan can determine any abnormal cell activity.
A PET-CT scan combines PET and CT imaging technologies to assist radiologists in:
A blood test that measures levels of CA125, a protein that may indicate the presence of certain gynecological diseases.
A chest x-ray may be performed when a gestational trophoblastic tumor is suspected, as this disease commonly spreads to the lungs.
A blood and urine test that measures the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – a protein that indicates pregnancy. In cases where a gestational trophoblastic tumor is suspected, there may be abnormal levels of hCG.
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