Can endometrial hyperplasia cause womb cancer?

The most important distinction is whether the biopsy shows atypia, meaning abnormal-looking cells. That result guides the urgency and type of management.

Endometrial hyperplasia is excessive growth of the tissue lining the womb. It can develop when oestrogen stimulates the lining without enough progesterone to balance that effect.

Hyperplasia without atypia and atypical hyperplasia do not behave in the same way. Atypical changes raise greater concern for progression or for a cancer already present but not captured in the original sample. The clinician interprets the pathology together with imaging, symptoms and sampling method.

Ask for the exact biopsy wording and a copy of the report. Progesterone treatment and repeat sampling may be used in some circumstances; surgery may be recommended when atypia is present or when other factors make it the safer choice.

Pregnancy wishes, other health conditions, response to previous treatment and ability to attend close follow-up all affect the plan. Take prescribed medicine consistently and keep every scheduled biopsy or hysteroscopy appointment, even if bleeding improves.

Contact a clinician promptly about bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, increasingly heavy or prolonged periods, or a blood-stained discharge. A change in bleeding deserves assessment rather than waiting for the next routine visit.

Go to urgent care for very heavy bleeding accompanied by dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, marked weakness or severe pelvic pain. These features can indicate significant blood loss or another acute problem.

Useful questions include whether atypia was found, whether more sampling is needed, how treatment fits future pregnancy plans and how response will be checked. Ask whom to contact if bleeding changes while you are awaiting the next procedure.