Screening by Endometrial Sampling or Transvaginal Ultrasound
Pap Smear and Endometrial Screening

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

There is insufficient evidence to establish whether a decrease in mortality from endometrial cancer occurs with screening by endometrial sampling or transvaginal ultrasound (Levels of Evidence: 3,4,5). The risks associated with endometrial biopsy (sampling) are not systematically reported, but include 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.

Levels of Evidence

3: Evidence obtained from well designed and conducted cohort or case-control studies.

4: Evidence obtained from multiple-time series with or without intervention.

5: Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.

Although the diagnosis of endometrial cancer occasionally originates with an abnormal Pap test of cytological material from the uterine cervix, this method has been evaluated and found to be insensitive for endometrial screening.

Level of Evidence

5: Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.

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