Screening tests for endometrial cancer in the general population

Abstract

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of potential screening tests for the detection of atypical hyperplasia (pre-cancer) and endometrial cancer of all stages and grades in asymptomatic (healthy) women in the general population. Secondary objectives To determine the optimal endometrial thickness cut-off value using transvaginal ultrasound scan for the screening of asymptomatic women for endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia. To investigate sources of heterogeneity in endometrial cancer screening studies, including: characteristics of the studied population including age, menopausal status (pre- and postmenopausal), country of study and risk status (body mass index (BMI) categories, diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)); characteristics of index test such as cytological classification used and sampling device; methodological quality (low risk of bias compared to high risk of bias); disease factors (endometrioid versus non-endometrioid, low grade versus high grade).