Does an Incomplete Endometrial Biopsy Increase the Risk of Uterine Cancer?

When doctors need to check for problems in the uterus lining, they often take a small tissue sample called an endometrial biopsy. But sometimes, the sample doesn’t have enough tissue to make a clear diagnosis. This is called an “insufficient biopsy.”

A new study looked at over 80,000 people in Denmark who had this test. About 17% had an insufficient result. The study followed these patients for four years to see who developed endometrial (uterine) cancer.

People with insufficient biopsies had a higher risk of cancer than those with normal results. But once age was taken into account, the risk was only slightly higher. That means age may play a big part in cancer risk, no matter the biopsy result.

Still, the study showed that getting a follow-up test is important. Nearly half of those with an insufficient result had another biopsy—and some of those follow-ups found cancer.

If your biopsy didn’t have enough tissue, talk to your doctor about next steps. A second test could give you peace of mind—or catch something important early.