Endometrial biopsy

(Redirected from Endometrial biopsies)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

For patient information, click here

Endometrial biopsy
MedlinePlus 003917

WikiDoc Resources for Endometrial biopsy

Articles

Most recent articles on Endometrial biopsy

Most cited articles on Endometrial biopsy

Review articles on Endometrial biopsy

Articles on Endometrial biopsy in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Endometrial biopsy

Images of Endometrial biopsy

Photos of Endometrial biopsy

Podcasts & MP3s on Endometrial biopsy

Videos on Endometrial biopsy

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Endometrial biopsy

Bandolier on Endometrial biopsy

TRIP on Endometrial biopsy

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Endometrial biopsy at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Endometrial biopsy

Clinical Trials on Endometrial biopsy at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Endometrial biopsy

NICE Guidance on Endometrial biopsy

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Endometrial biopsy

CDC on Endometrial biopsy

Books

Books on Endometrial biopsy

News

Endometrial biopsy in the news

Be alerted to news on Endometrial biopsy

News trends on Endometrial biopsy

Commentary

Blogs on Endometrial biopsy

Definitions

Definitions of Endometrial biopsy

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Endometrial biopsy

Discussion groups on Endometrial biopsy

Patient Handouts on Endometrial biopsy

Directions to Hospitals Treating Endometrial biopsy

Risk calculators and risk factors for Endometrial biopsy

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Endometrial biopsy

Causes & Risk Factors for Endometrial biopsy

Diagnostic studies for Endometrial biopsy

Treatment of Endometrial biopsy

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Endometrial biopsy

International

Endometrial biopsy en Espanol

Endometrial biopsy en Francais

Business

Endometrial biopsy in the Marketplace

Patents on Endometrial biopsy

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Endometrial biopsy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [3]

Overview

A biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove a sample of tissue from the patient to be analyzed and diagnosed by a physician. An endometrial biopsy is the only procedure used to discover endometrial cancer. It is only given to high-risk patients. Endometrial cancer is diagnosed in about 39,000 women every year. [1]

Reasons for an Endometrial Biopsy

  • Evaluation and Treatment of Infertility: If taken several days before menstruation, the biopsy can show the response to estrogen and progesterone to see if ovulation has occurred.
  • Abnormal menstruation (Heavy bleeding, abnormal bleeding, absence of bleeding and bleeding after menopause). The biopsy will indicate a change in hormone levels or the presence of fibroids, polyps or other abnormal tissues.
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy: The biopsy can determine the effects of the therapy to the patient’s reproductive system.
  • Cancer: The biopsy may discover the presence of cancer cells in the endometrium or cervix.

Endometrial Biopsy Procedure

Generally, an endometrial biopsy follows this process: 1. The patient will be asked to undress and lie on the table with her feet in the stirrups for a pelvic examination. She may or may not be given localized anesthesia.

2. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to spread the walls of the vagina apart to expose the cervix.The cervix will then be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

3. A tenaculum, a type of forceps, will hold the cervix steady for the biopsy.

4. A Endometrial Suction Curette (E.S.C.), a thin tube also called a catheter, will be inserted into the uterus. A smaller tube (internal piston) inside the E.S.C. will be withdrawn to create suction. The E.S.C. be will rotated and moved in and out to collect small pieces of endometrial tissue. Cramping may occur.

5. The removed tissue will be place in a preservative.

6. The tissue will be sent to a laboratory, where it will be processed and tested. It will then be read microscopically by a pathologist who will determine the diagnosis.[2]

Alternative methods

Recently, the TruTest has been introduced as an alternative method of endometiral biopsy. Rather than using a suction tube, this method uses the Tao Brush to gently brush the lining of the uterus. Generally, this method has been found to be less painful than the traditional suction method.

References

  1. [1] Cure Research – Statistics about Endometrial Cancer (accessed 7-10-07)
  2. [2] St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center – Diagnostic and Surgical Tests and Procedures – Endometrial Biopsy (accessed 7-10-07)


Template:WikiDoc Sources