How is dilation and curettage (D&C) performed?
How is cancer of the endometrium detected? The Pap test is less than 50 percent effective in detecting endometrial cancer that is, cancer in the womb or lining of the body of the uterus. Two other techniques are used in diagnosing this cancer: dilation and curettage (D&C) and aspiration curettage. How is dilation and curettage (D&C) performed? After the patient is anesthetized, usually with light general anesthesia, the doctor gently stretches the cervix and inserts an instrument called a curette, which he uses to scrape the wall of the uterus. Tissue samples are removed for study under the microscope. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. What is aspiration curettage? The doctor, in his office, takes a tissue specimen from the lining of the uterus. A device, called an endometrial aspirator, consists of a disposable tube connected to a syringe. The tube is inserted through the cervix into the uterus and scrapes a piece of tissue from the uterine li...