“Hysteroscopic examination before surgery in patients with endometrial cancer may increase the risk of dissemination of malignant cells into the peritoneal cavity.”
First and foremost let me say that staging is the first and most important step in the diagnosis and staging of any cancer. According to the study linked and excerpted below, though hysteroscopy plays an important role in both diagnosing and staging endometrial cancer, it may cause endometrial cancer cells to spread to the peritoneum, researchers say.
If you have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer your first question for your oncologist will be to determine the stage of your cancer. Again, as the article below states, the potential dissemination of malignant cells does not effect the prognosis of endometrial cancer patients with early stage disease. However the impact of malignant cells is controversial for later stages.
I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. Have you been diagnosed with endometrial cancer? To learn more about both conventional (FDA approved) and evidence-based non-conventional therapies please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.
Thank you,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
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“Hysteroscopy is the inspection of the uterine cavity by endoscopy with access through the cervix. It allows for the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology and serves as a method for surgical intervention (operative hysteroscopy).
Procedure-Hysteroscopy has been done in the hospital, surgical centers and the office. It is best done when the endometrium is relatively thin, that is after a menstruation. Diagnostic can easily be done in an office or clinic setting. Local anesthesia can be used. Simple operative hysteroscopy can also be done in an office or clinic setting…
After cervical dilation, the hysteroscope with its sheath is guided into the uterine cavity, the cavity insufflated, and an inspection is performed. If abnormalities are found, an operative hysteroscope with a channel to allow specialized instruments to enter the cavity is used to perform the surgery. Typical procedures include endometrial ablation, submucosal fibroid resection, and endometrial polypectomy…
“Conclusion- Hysteroscopic examination before surgery in patients with endometrial cancer may increase the risk of dissemination of malignant cells into the peritoneal cavity. The risk was statistically significantly associated with the use of a liquid medium for uterine cavity distention but not with early-stage disease. There is no evidence to support an association between preoperative hysteroscopic examination and a worse prognosis. There is no reason to avoid diagnostic hysteroscopy before to surgery in patients with endometrial cancer, especially in early stages.”