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Endometrial Biopsy

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Primary Care Procedures in Women's Health

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Abstract

The endometrial biopsy is a safe, simple office procedure that can be used to diagnose most abnormal bleeding in women. The most common indication for the procedure is postmenopausal bleeding or dysfunctional uterine bleeding in younger women. Other uses include the workup of an Atypical Glandular Cells (AGC) Pap in women over 35, evaluation of endometrial cells on a Pap in postmenopausal women, evaluation of women at higher risk for endometrial cancer prior to instituting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), evaluation of women bleeding on tamoxifen therapy, and, infrequently, as an evaluation for infertility. In most cases, the office endometrial biopsy has replaced Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) due to its ease of performance in the outpatient setting. This also allows for the evaluation of bleeding women who are poor candidates for general anesthesia.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 301 Prospect Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13203, USA

    Kristen McNamara (Assistant Professor)

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  1. Kristen McNamara
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Correspondence to Kristen McNamara .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Center Drive 4104, Fayetteville, 13066, USA

    Sandra M. Sulik

  2. George Street 317, New Brunswick, 08901, USA

    Cathryn B. Heath

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McNamara, K. (2010). Endometrial Biopsy. In: Sulik, S., Heath, C. (eds) Primary Care Procedures in Women's Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76604-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76604-1_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-76598-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-76604-1

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