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Summary of Evidence
Benefits
Harms
Separate PDQ summaries on Endometrial Cancer Prevention; Endometrial
Cancer Treatment; and Uterine Sarcoma Treatment are also available.
Benefits
There is inadequate evidence that screening by ultrasonography (e.g., endovaginal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound [TVU]) or endometrial sampling (biopsy) would reduce the mortality from endometrial cancer. Most cases of endometrial cancer, however, are diagnosed because of symptoms, which are nonetheless “early” stage and have high survival rates.
Harms
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 may result in discomfort, bleeding, infection, and rarely uterine perforation. Risks associated with false-positive tests include anxiety and additional diagnostic testing.
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Study Design: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
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Internal Validity: Fair.
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Consistency: One study for endometrial biopsy and one study for hysteroscopy.
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Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Small negative magnitude.
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External Validity: Fair.
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