Summary
Endometrial hyperplasia is defined as irregular proliferation of the endometrial glands with an increase in the gland to stroma ratio when compared with proliferative endometrium.
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the Western world and endometrial hyperplasia is its precursor. In the UK, 8617 new cases of endometrial cancer were registered in 2012. The incidence of endometrial hyperplasia is estimated to be at least three times higher than endometrial cancer and if left untreated it can progress to cancer.
The most common presentation of endometrial hyperplasia is abnormal uterine bleeding. This includes heavy menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, irregular bleeding, unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and postmenopausal bleeding.
Version history
This is the first edition of this guideline, published in 2016; reviewed in 2019 – no update required; reviewed in 2012 – no update required; reviewed in 2022 – an update is in development.
Developer declaration of interests
Available on request.