Silent Threats Unveiled: Navigating the Landscape Endometrial Cancer in Women Over 50 - A Comprehensive Analysis of Post-Menopausal Bleeding as a Crucial Diagnostic Indicator

Abstract

Background: Endometrial cancer, with a global incidence of 9 per 100,000 women and a 1% lifetime risk, predominantly affects women aged >50 years and commonly manifests as post-menopausal bleeding (PMB). Timely referral for further investigation is imperative in cases of PMB. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of endometrial cancer in females with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and compare this frequency between premenopausal and postmenopausal women presenting with AUB. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: Six months from December 15, 2022 to June 15, 2023. Methods: This study aimed to assess endometrial samples from 415 females over. Participants meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled from the Department's outpatient department, providing informed consent and demographic details. Endometrial sampling using Pipelle or D&C under general anesthesia was performed, and subsequent histopathology assessments in the hospital's pathology laboratory categorized findings into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups for comparative analysis. The study, initiated after ERC approval, spanned. Results: Out of 415 cases, 61.45% (n=255) were aged 30-50 years, while 38.55% (n=160) were aged 51-70 years, with a mean age of 48.52±7.02 years. The frequency of endometrial cancer in females with AUB was 6.51% (n=27). Comparing premenopausal (4.46%, n=10) to postmenopausal (8.90%, n=17) females with endometrial cancer, the p value was 0.06. Conclusion: While the overall frequency of endometrial cancer in females with AUB requires attention, this study emphasizes that the frequency is significantly lower in premenopausal compared to postmenopausal females presenting with AUB.