Endometrial (uterine) cells may turn up on a Pap smear, making the patient think of possible uterine cancer.
Especially if her doctor wants a biopsy done despite a normal-looking ultrasound, this will leave the patient quite unnerved.
Two Questions
• If there’s no uterine cancer, why would endometrial cells show up on a Pap smear?
• If an ultrasound shows a normal uterus, why would the doctor want a biopsy performed?
“Benign endometrial cells are shed in great numbers during a menstrual period,” says Julian Schink, MD, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Medical Director of Gynecologic and Medical Oncology, Midwestern Regional Medical Center.
“The presence of these on a Pap smear is not evidence of cancer,” says Dr. Schink.
“Sometimes they are also picked up by the cytobrush placed into the cervical canal and coincidentally reaching the endometrial cavity.
“If US is normal, a biopsy would be indicated if there is an abnormal bleeding pattern, but not simply because of endometrial cells on a Pap.”
For more information on Pap smears or endometrial cancer, contact Cancer Treatment Centers of America at (844) 632-7188.
With 25+ years of experience, and board certified in gynecologic oncology and OB/GYN, Dr. Schink is dedicated to caring for patients and advancing treatments for gynecologic malignancies. His surgery and chemotherapy treatments include those for ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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