Diagnosis until proven otherwise for postmenopausal bleeding

Patient handout - Endometrial cancer - patient.co.uk

Clinical features

  • Peak incidence 50-70yo

  • Risk factors:

    • age

    • obestiy

    • nulliparity

    • late menopause

    • diabetes mellitus

    • polycystic ovary

    • drugs

      • unopposed oestrogen

      • tamoxifen

    • family history

      • breast

      • ovarian

      • colon cancer

Symptoms

80% present with abnormal bleeding

Especially post menopausal bleeding

Investigations

  • Smear

    • detects some cases

    • not excluded by normal smear

  • Ultrasound

    • >12mm
  • Pipelle

Management

Urgent gynae referral

NICE guidance

link

When woman who is not on fromone replacement therapy presents with postmenopausal bleeding g- urgen referral should be made

When a woman on hormone replacement therapy presents with persistent or unexplained post menopausal bleeding after cessation of hormone replacement therapy for 6 weeks - an urgent referral should be made

Tamoxifen can increase the risk of endometrial cancer