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InstaDiag Gynecology: Speeding Up the Diagnosis of Suspected Gynecological Abnormalities
A suspicious gynecological abnormality, identified during a clinical examination, imaging test, or specimen collection performed at a local clinic, may require prompt specialist consultation. Launched in 2024, InstaDiag Gynecology brings together all the appointments needed for diagnosis and patient care, with a multidisciplinary team specializing in gynecologic cancers.
InstaDiag Gynecology—what is it?
InstaDiag Gynecology is a rapid diagnostic pathway designed for suspected gynecological abnormalities. It is a system that enables the coordination of necessary consultations and tests within a short timeframe. Depending on the situation, the pathway can help confirm a diagnosis, complete an evaluation that is already underway, or quickly organize the next steps in care.
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2024
Launch of the InstaDiag Gynecology Program at Gustave Roussy.
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1 to 2 weeks
The appointments required for diagnosis are scheduled over approximately one week for cervical, vulvar, and endometrial cancers, and up to two weeks for cases of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
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A case reviewed in advance: Examinations conducted in town help assess the need and schedule appointments.
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Coordinated care: Consultations, imaging tests, and necessary biopsies are scheduled promptly.
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Multidisciplinary expertise: The case can be reviewed by several specialists in gynecologic cancers.
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A quick orientation: The patient is informed of the next steps: monitoring, additional tests, or treatment.
The care pathway may include, among other things:
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a suspicious cervical tumor requiring a biopsy;
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a previously diagnosed cervical cancer requiring rapid staging;
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a suspicious vulvar tumor, following an initial gynecological evaluation;
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postmenopausal gynecological bleeding associated with suspicious endometrial thickening;
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a suspicious ovarian tumor;
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a suspicious ovarian lesion associated with an abdominal abnormality;
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suspected peritoneal carcinomatosis, particularly in the presence of ascites or suggestive imaging findings.
These situations do not cover all possibilities. Referral to InstaDiag Gynecology depends on the medical history, tests already performed, and the assessment by the specialized team.
Who is InstaDiag Gynecology intended for?
InstaDiag Gynecology is intended for patients with a suspicious result from a test performed in a private practice. This may include an abnormality observed during a gynecological exam, suggestive imaging findings, or an initial test result requiring prompt evaluation.
This care pathway is initiated after an abnormality is detected. It does not replace routine gynecological follow-up or screening programs, particularly the cervical cancer screening program[1].
What types of exams are available?
The process may include, among other things:
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a gynecological exam;
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a colposcopy, an examination of the cervix using a magnifying device;
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a biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of tissue;
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a hysteroscopy, which allows the inside of the uterus to be examined;
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a pelvic or abdominal-pelvic ultrasound;
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a CT scan;
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an MRI;
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a PET scan, an imaging test used in certain staging evaluations;
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a blood test.
These tests are not routinely performed. They are recommended based on the suspected abnormality, the affected site, the test results already available, and the purpose of the evaluation. For several gynecologic cancers, confirmation of the diagnosis relies on histopathological analysis of a biopsy specimen[2,3,4].
Useful documents include consultation reports, gynecological exam results, imaging reports, the corresponding images, and, when available, biopsy or pathology results. These documents help us plan the care pathway and, whenever possible, avoid repeating certain tests.
The process takes place over a short period of time, but it is not always limited to a single day. Appointments are scheduled as close together as possible, depending on the medical situation. Some results, particularly those from lab tests, may take several days.
After the diagnosis: What's the next step?
At the end of the screening process, several outcomes are possible. If the results do not indicate cancer, gynecological monitoring or follow-up may be recommended. If the tests are incomplete, further evaluation may be necessary.
If cancer is diagnosed, further care is coordinated with a team specializing in gynecologic cancers.
Schedule an appointment for InstaDiag Gynecology
The InstaDiag Gynecology pathway is intended for patients with a suspected gynecological abnormality requiring prompt specialist evaluation. If your situation meets the criteria for this pathway, you may submit a request for an appointment along with your available medical records so that our teams can evaluate your request and arrange the necessary tests.
Bibliography
[1] Order of January 16, 2024, regarding organized cancer screening programs. Appendix V: Organized screening for cervical cancer.
[2] National Cancer Institute. How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
[3] National Cancer Institute. Ovarian cancer: How is it diagnosed?
[4] National Cancer Institute. Diagnosis of endometrial cancer.