Cervical Cancer Health Center

Font Size

Endometrial Cancer Screening - Summary of Evidence

Separate PDQ summaries on Endometrial Cancer Prevention; Endometrial Cancer Treatment; and Uterine Sarcoma Treatment are also available.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

Benefits

There is no evidence that screening by ultrasonography (e.g., endovaginal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound) reduces mortality from endometrial cancer. Most cases of endometrial cancer (85%) are diagnosed at low stage because of symptoms, and survival rates are high.

Harms

Based on solid evidence, screening asymptomatic women will result in unnecessary additional biopsies because of false-positive test results. Risks associated with false-positive tests include anxiety and complications from biopsies.

STUDY DESIGN: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
INTERNAL VALIDITY: Fair.
CONSISTENCY: One study for endometrial biopsy and one study for hysteroscopy.
MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES: Small negative magnitude.
EXTERNAL VALIDITY: Fair.

Endometrial Sampling (Biopsy)

Benefits

There is inadequate evidence that screening by endometrial sampling (i.e., biopsy) reduces mortality from endometrial cancer. Most cases of endometrial cancer (85%) are diagnosed at low stage because of symptoms, and survival rates are high.

Harms

Based on solid evidence, endometrial biopsy may result in discomfort, bleeding, infection, and rarely, uterine perforation.

STUDY DESIGN: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
INTERNAL VALIDITY: Fair.
CONSISTENCY: One study for endometrial biopsy and one study for hysteroscopy.
MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES: Small negative magnitude.
EXTERNAL VALIDITY: Fair.

WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute

This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER

Last Updated: December 14, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Some material in CancerNet™ is from copyrighted publications of the respective copyright claimants. Users of CancerNet™ are referred to the publication data appearing in the bibliographic citations, as well as to the copyright notices appearing in the original publication, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.