Innsbruck researchers have developed a test that can be used to quickly and accurately identify uterine cancer (endometrial carcinoma) using a simple smear test. This new method can spare women a stressful procedure to diagnose uterine cancer.
According to the University of Innsbruck, uterine cancer is the most common gynecological cancer with a rapidly increasing incidence. Bleeding outside of menstruation can be a symptom of this. According to the doctors, cancer cannot be ruled out with certainty with a vaginal ultrasound examination alone. A surgical procedure with uterine endoscopy and scraping is currently always necessary for this.
The working group led by Martin Widschwendter from the University of Innsbruck has now presented a new, easy-to-perform test that saves women who suspect uterine cancer from the stressful procedure.
The test measures the extent of the so-called methylation of three DNA regions, which varies in strength in women with and without uterine cancer.
As part of the development and validation of the test, a total of 1288 cervical swabs from women with and without cervical cancer were analyzed in different groups and countries.
For example, in a group of 63 women with postmenopausal bleeding, the test detected all eight women who were subsequently diagnosed with uterine cancer.
Source: Nachrichten
