Diagnosis

There are no screening tests for endometrial cancer in women with no symptoms. However, most women with endometrial cancer have symptoms when the cancer is in its early stages. There are several methods used to detect the presence of endometrial cancer.

• Endometrial biopsy: A test in which it is extracted and examined under a microscope a small amount of tissue from the lining of the uterus. This test is usually the first step to detect the presence of abnormal cells.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves to examine the thickness of the lining of the uterus and the size of this body.
• Hysteroscopy: A surgical procedure where you use a thin instrument that transmits a light to see inside the uterus or surgeries.
• Dilation and curettage: A procedure that opens the cervix to gently scrape or vacuum inside the uterus.

For many women, the Pap test may be integrated with regular medical examination, however, this test does not always detect endometrial cancer. In fact, the results of the Pap smear for most women with endometrial cancer are normal. Endometrial cancer can be diagnosed only by examination of tissue from the uterus.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Approximately 2 to 3 women in 100 will have endometrial cancer during their lifetime.

Endometrial cancer is rare in women under 40 years. The incidence of this cancer is higher in women around age 60. Some women are more likely than others (see box). Certain risk factors may be related to estrogen use. Estrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries of women. You can manage it after menopause when women’s ovaries stop producing estrogen (hormone therapy). If taken alone, estrogen increases the risk of endometrial cancer if the woman still has a uterus. When estrogen is given along with another hormone, progesterone, women are protected against this risk.