Benefits
Harms

Separate PDQ summaries on Endometrial Cancer Prevention ¹; Endometrial Cancer Treatment ²; and Uterine Sarcoma Treatment ³ are also available.

There is inadequate evidence that screening by ultrasonography (e.g., transvaginal ultrasound [TVU]) or endometrial sampling would reduce the mortality from endometrial cancer.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: No studies have adequately examined the efficacy of screening for reducing mortality from endometrial cancer.
• Internal Validity: Not applicable (N/A).
• Consistency: N/A.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: N/A.
• External Validity: N/A.

Based on solid evidence, screening asymptomatic women with TVU will result in unnecessary additional examinations because of its low specificity. Based on solid evidence, endometrial biopsy (sampling) may result in discomfort, bleeding, infection, and rarely uterine perforation. Risks associated with false-positive test results include anxiety and additional diagnostic testing and surgery. Endometrial cancers may be missed on endometrial sampling and ultrasound. Most cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed as a result of symptoms reported by patients, and a high proportion of these cases are diagnosed at an early stage and have high rates of survival.

Description of the Evidence

• Study Design: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
• Internal Validity: Fair.
• Consistency: One study for endometrial biopsy, one study for hysteroscopy.
• Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Small negative magnitude.
• External Validity: Fair.