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Hi, I Have A History Of Reproductive Cancers In My
Question: Hi, I have a history of reproductive cancers in my family, and I have irregular spotting between periods. This last cycle I have bled for 22 days. I am extremely worried about this and have ability to private pay for either a CT or an MRI. Please advise to what the best testing would be. Or is a hysteroscopy better? In order of what test would be the most accurate to see cancers, could you please list the order of testing.
Brief Answer:
Please find suggested order of testing as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
In evaluation of suspected reproductive cancers following order of testing is suggested.
1.Trans abdominal ultrasound scan of abdomen and pelvis.
2.Trans vaginal ultrasound scan of pelvis.
3.MRI scan of pelvis with or without contrast (as needed during the scan).
4.Hysteroscopy
Please note that hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure so I have placed it in the end.
Apart from above there are certain blood markers like CA125 for ovarian cancers, PAP smear for cervical cancer, endometrial biopsy for endometrial cancer and these need to be done if the imaging tests show any positive findings in the concerned structures.
**CT is done if there is any suspected area of bone involement or a calcified lesion is suspected in MRI.
**A chest xray is a basic test and can be done as a part of general health check
Regards,
Please find suggested order of testing as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
In evaluation of suspected reproductive cancers following order of testing is suggested.
1.Trans abdominal ultrasound scan of abdomen and pelvis.
2.Trans vaginal ultrasound scan of pelvis.
3.MRI scan of pelvis with or without contrast (as needed during the scan).
4.Hysteroscopy
Please note that hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure so I have placed it in the end.
Apart from above there are certain blood markers like CA125 for ovarian cancers, PAP smear for cervical cancer, endometrial biopsy for endometrial cancer and these need to be done if the imaging tests show any positive findings in the concerned structures.
**CT is done if there is any suspected area of bone involement or a calcified lesion is suspected in MRI.
**A chest xray is a basic test and can be done as a part of general health check
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
The soft tissue contrast is much better on MRI scans
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
The soft tissue contrast is much better on MRI scans as compared to CT scans. The structure of the uterus is lot more clear on the MRI images. MRI is the choice investigation for female reproductive system cancers.
Regards.
The soft tissue contrast is much better on MRI scans
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
The soft tissue contrast is much better on MRI scans as compared to CT scans. The structure of the uterus is lot more clear on the MRI images. MRI is the choice investigation for female reproductive system cancers.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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