Waiting for test results after a cancer scare can be one of the most stressful experiences there is. For women being checked for womb (endometrial) cancer, that wait can stretch to two weeks while biopsy samples are examined. Researchers at Imperial College London have shown that a device called the iKnife could give accurate results in seconds.
What is endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer starts in the lining of the uterus (womb). It’s one of the most common gynecological cancers and most often affects women after menopause. The most important warning sign is unexpected vaginal bleeding, especially any bleeding after menopause. When caught early, endometrial cancer is often highly treatable.
How the iKnife works
The iKnife is a surgical device that uses an electrical current to cut or vaporize tissue, producing a small amount of smoke. That smoke carries molecules from the tissue, which the device analyzes almost instantly using a technique called mass spectrometry. Cancerous and healthy tissues have different chemical “fingerprints,” so the iKnife can tell them apart, which is why it’s sometimes described as a knife that “smells” tumors. It has previously been studied for other cancers.
What the study found
The research team analyzed biopsy samples from 150 women with suspected endometrial cancer and compared the iKnife’s results with standard laboratory testing. Their findings were published in the journal Cancers.
- High accuracy. The iKnife correctly diagnosed endometrial cancer with an overall accuracy of about 89%.
- Reliable reassurance. A negative result was highly reliable, meaning women without cancer could potentially be reassured almost immediately.
- Faster next steps. For women whose samples suggested cancer, further scans and treatment planning could begin right away while standard results were confirmed.
Why speed matters
Only about 1 in 10 women referred for a biopsy because of suspected womb cancer actually has the disease. That means the large majority wait anxiously for results that turn out to be clear. Faster answers could spare many women weeks of worry and help those who do have cancer start treatment sooner. The research was funded by the Eve Appeal, a UK gynecological cancer charity, which highlighted how hard that waiting period can be.
Currently, a biopsy sample is sent to a lab, prepared and examined under a microscope by a pathologist, a process that can take up to two weeks.
What’s next
The iKnife is not yet in routine use for diagnosing womb cancer. The team plans a larger clinical trial to confirm the results and to see how the device could fit into rapid-access clinics. Standard pathology would still be used to confirm diagnoses.
What this means for you
- Never ignore postmenopausal bleeding. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause, even spotting, should be checked by a doctor promptly.
- Know other warning signs, such as bleeding between periods, unusually heavy periods, unusual discharge, or pelvic pain.
- Understand your risk factors, which include excess weight, diabetes, never having been pregnant, a late menopause, some hormone treatments, and certain inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome.
- Stay active and maintain a healthy weight, both of which can lower your risk.
- Ask questions. If you’re waiting for biopsy results, ask your care team when and how you’ll hear back.
The bottom line
The iKnife diagnosed womb cancer with about 89% accuracy in seconds in a study of 150 women. If larger trials confirm the results, it could spare many women weeks of anxious waiting and speed treatment for those who need it.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual needs.
