A randomized, prospective study of endometrial resection to prevent recurrent endometrial polyps in women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of endometrial resection in preventing recurrence of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps in women with breast cancer. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Tertiary university-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive women (age range 43-61 yrs). INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic removal of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps with or without simultaneous resection of the endometrium. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were randomized to undergo (10 women) or not undergo (10) concomitant endometrial resection. They were followed for at least 18 months (range 18-24 mo), including transvaginal ultrasonography every 6 months and hysteroscopy when endometrial irregularity was noted. The main outcome variable was recurrence of endometrial polyps; occurrence of uterine bleeding was also noted. In women who underwent endometrial resection, only one had a 1 x 1-cm endometrial polyp diagnosed and removed during follow-up. Seven women remained amenorrheic, and three experienced spotting for a few days every month. In the control group, six women had recurrent endometrial polyps requiring hysteroscopic removal (two-tail Fisher's exact test p <0.06). CONCLUSION: Recurrence of endometrial polyps, one of the most common problems in patients with breast cancer receiving long-term treatment with tamoxifen, may be reduced by performing endometrial resection at the time of hysteroscopic removal of polyps. The possible risk of occult endometrial cancer is yet to be determined. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(3):285-288, 1999)     

Three-year follow-up results of polypectomy with endometrial ablation in the management of endometrial polyps associated with tamoxifen in Chinese women

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hysteroscopic polypectomy with endometrial ablation in the management of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women with a more than 3-year follow-up period.

Study design

The medical records of 76 postmenopausal patients on tamoxifen who were performed hysteroscopic polypectomy with endometrial ablation were evaluated more than 3 years after the procedure with recurrence of polyps, recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding and surgical re-intervention.

Results

Average follow-up period was 74.91 ± 20.84 months. No patient underwent hysterectomy, 7 of 76 patients had a surgical re-intervention representing a total of 90.8% avoidance of additional surgery during the follow-up period, and 4 patients had a recurrent endometrial polyp representing the recurrence rate was 5.3%. 3 of 41 patients with postmenopausal bleeding had a recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding representing symptomatic relief rate is 92.7%. The treatment failed in 7 patients who requested surgical re-intervention: 4 patients requested a repeat polypectomy and ablation, 1 patient requested a repeat ablation and 2 patients requested a repeat hysteroscopy with uterine adhesion. No malignant endometrial pathological result was found.

Conclusions

For postmenopausal patients suffering from endometrial polyps associated with tamoxifen, hysteroscopic polypectomy with endometrial ablation continues to be proven as a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment method. The high rate of surgical re-intervention avoidance, great symptomatic relief and low recurrence rate are very encouraging for this technology.     

Hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps: a study of 195 cases

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the therapeutic efficiency of hysteroscopic resection for the treatment of endometrial polyps in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and postmenopausal metrorrhagia. SETTING: University hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive patient follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1997, 195 patients with haemorrhagic endometrial polyps were treated with hysteroscopic resection in our department. RESULTS: Five complications occurred, but no major complications were noted. A total of 89.2% of the patients remained in contact after hospitalization. After long term follow-up (5.2 years), successful results were obtained in 80% of the patients with polyp resection without associated endometrial ablation. Further surgery (hysterectomy) was required in only five women. CONCLUSION: Transcervical resection is the gold standard for treatment of endometrial polyps.     

宫腔镜手术治疗子宫内膜息肉的临床分析

目的　探讨宫腔镜手术治疗子宫内膜息肉的临床效果。方法　因子宫内膜息肉行各类宫腔镜手术 10 9例 ,其中绝经后子宫内膜息肉 15例、生育期子宫内膜息肉 94例。 10 9例中合并月经紊乱 84例、贫血 34例、痛经 16例、原发不孕 3例、继发不孕 2例。患者年龄 2 6～ 73岁 ,平均 (45± 9)岁 ;随访时间 3～ 2 2个月 ,平均 (12± 5 )个月。月经紊乱者在术前和术后分别填写月经失血图以评估月经血量。结果　 10 9例中 ,单纯息肉切除 35例 ,息肉切除同时浅层内膜切除 9例 ,息肉切除同时内膜切除 6 3例 ,息肉切除同时内膜剥除 2例。 84例月经紊乱者术后闭经 14例、阴道点滴出血 2 6例 ,其余 4 4例月经血量均较术前减少。 34例术前贫血患者 ,术后 1个月血红蛋白即恢复正常。 16例痛经者术后 7例症状消失、7例缓解、2例加重。 5例不孕者术后 4例妊娠。 15例绝经后患者术后无异常出血。结论　有月经改变且无生育要求者 ,息肉切除同时应行子宫内膜电切术 ,可避免息肉复发 ;需保留生育功能的患者 ,可行单纯息肉切除 ,如合并内膜息肉样增生 ,应同时行浅层内膜切除 ;绝经后患者 ,可行单纯息肉切除 ,如合并内膜息肉样增生 ,应同时行子宫内膜剥除。     

Hysteroscopic evaluation of endometrial polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the validity of hysteroscopy for predicting cancer in endometrial polyps based on their number, size and hysteroscopic appearance. METHOD: Retrospective observational study of 653 women diagnosed hysteroscopically as having endometrial polyps. After outpatient or surgical hysteroscopic resection or resection following hysterectomy, the diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. The incidence of cancer in women who had polyps was determined in the light of menopausal status, symptoms, size, number and appearance of the polyps. RESULT: Carcinoma was found in only 3.9% of the women who consulted for menopausal metrorrhagia and were diagnosed as having a polyp. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 98% for a diagnosis of cancerous polyp or atypical hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: The appearance and number of endometrial polyps seen by hysteroscopy may be useful in predicting cancer in the polyps, although resection and histological examination will still be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.     

The malignant potential of endometrial polyps

OBJECTIVES: To determine the pre-malignant and malignant potential of endometrial polyps and to assess whether different clinical parameters are associated with malignancy in the polyps. STUDY DESIGN: Four hundred and thirty consecutive cases of hysteroscopic diagnosis of endometrial polyp were retrieved. The medical records, preoperative vaginal sonography results and histopathology findings were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Hysteroscopy truly identified endometrial polyps in 95.7% of the cases. In 11.4% cases, hyperplasia without atypia was found in the endometrial polyp. In 3.3 and 3.0% of women pre-malignant or malignant conditions were found in the polyp. Older age, menopause status and polyps larger than 1.5 cm were associated with significant pre-malignant or malignant changes, although the positive predictive value for malignancy was low. All the malignant polyps were diagnosed only in postmenopausal women. The presence of postmenopausal or irregular vaginal bleeding, was not a predictor of malignancy in the polyp. CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women with endometrial polyps are at increased risk of malignancy in the polyp. Those patients, whether symptomatic or not should be evaluated by hysteroscopic resection of the polyps. Asymptomatic premenopausal patients with polyps smaller than 1.5 cm can be observed.     

Pregnancy rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy depending on the size or number of the polyps

Objective To assess the reproductive benefits of hysteroscopic polypectomy in previous infertile women depending on the size or number of the polyps. Design and methods In this retrospective study, from February 2000 to September 2005, totally 83 selected women were included with: a) diagnoses of primary or secondary infertility, endometrial polyp/polyps and abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial polyps were diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound followed by diagnostic hysteroscopy, to confirm diagnosis, and hysteroscopic polypectomy. All 83 subjects who consisted the study group, met inclusion criteria: age under 35 years, at least 12 months of infertility, from 3 to 8 months menstrual disorders (intermenstrual bleeding or spotting, menometrorrhagia or menorrhagia) and from 3 to 18 months of follow-up with attempts to conceive after hysteroscopic polypectomy. The endometrial polyp/polyps appeared to be the only reason to explain their infertility after infertility workup of the couples. There was a comparison of fertility rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy between patients having endometrial polyp ≤ 1 cm and patients with bigger or multiple polyps. Results Of the 83 subjects, all were found to have endometrial polyps in diagnostic hysteroscopy, confirmed at histologic examination after hysteroscopic polypectomy. Among patients of the study group, there were no significant differences in age, type or length of infertility, or follow-up period after the procedure. The mean size of the endometrial polyps was 1.9 ± 1.4.cm. Thirty-one patients had endometrial polyp ≤ 1 cm and 52 patients had bigger or multiple endometrial polyps. Following polypectomy, menstrual pattern was normalized in 91.6% of patients. Spontaneous pregnancy and delivery at term rates, in the total population of the study, increased after the procedure and were 61.4% and 54.2% respectively. There was no statistical difference in fertility rates between patients having polyps ≤ 1 cm and patients having >1 cm polyps or multiple polyps. Spontaneous abortion rate in the first trimester of pregnancy was 6% of the total number of patients and there was no statistical difference between patients with small or bigger/multiple polyps. Type of infertility did not affect fertility rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy. Complication rate after hysteroscopic polypectomy was as low as 2.4%, while recurrence rate of the procedure reached 4.9% of patients. Conclusion Hysteroscopic polypectomy of endometrial polyps appeared to improve fertility and increase pregnancy rates in previous infertile women with no other reason to explain their infertility, irrespective of the size or number of the polyps. Type of infertility of patients seems not to affect fertility rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy. Menstrual pattern was normalized in the majority of patients after hysteroscopic polypectomy. In addition, hysteroscopic polypectomy is a safe procedure with low complication rate.     

Outcomes of endometrial-polyp treatment with hysteroscopy in operating room

To assess the results of using a resectoscope in the hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps that were previously diagnosed by office hysteroscopy and to demonstrate the necessity of extraction for histological study. A prospective long-term follow-up study (level of evidence II-2). University Hospital. 303 women presenting a hysteroscopic image of an endometrial polyp. Interventions: Office hysteroscopy, hysteroscopic resection of polyps by means of a resectoscope and an anatomopathological study of the polyps. Statistical analysis was performed. 303 diagnosed endometrial polyp formations were resected by means of hysteroscopy during surgery. In all cases, biopsies of the uterine cavity or of the polyp were negative. Resection of the polyps with hysteroscopy in the operating room using a resectoscope proved to be a safe technique. The anatomopathological study of the polyps showed hyperplasia with atypias in 10 cases (3.3%) and endometrial cancer in 9 women (3.0%). Our study data suggest that endometrial polyps should be resected because they may harbor malignant or premalignant lesions. Hysteroscopic surgery is recommended for its simplicity and scant complications.     

Treatment of endometrial polyps

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of different treatments for abnormal uterine bleeding in women with known endometrial polyps. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of polypectomy and other treatments of women with abnormal uterine bleeding who had benign polyps detected by sonohysterography. Women with endometrial polyps diagnosed by sonohysterography between January 1997 and July 1998 were sent questionnaires on pretreatment and posttreatment uterine bleeding and satisfaction with their treatments. Charts were reviewed to validate questionnaire responses and determine treatments administered. RESULTS: Seventy-eight women had endometrial polyps by sonohysterography, and 60 of them (77%) responded to the questionnaire. Two with endometrial adenocarcinoma were excluded. The average age of the remaining 58 was 49 years; 37 (64%) were premenopausal and 21 (36%) postmenopausal. The average time from treatment to follow-up was 13 months (range 5-24 months). Participants were grouped according to the following treatments: polypectomy, polypectomy plus endometrial ablation, polypectomy plus hysteroscopic myomectomy, hysterectomy, D&C, and nonsurgical treatment. The most frequent treatment was polypectomy (n = 26). Polypectomy, polypectomy plus endometrial ablation, polypectomy plus myomectomy, and hysterectomy each resulted in at least a twofold decrease in the number of bleeding days per month and led to high satisfaction rates. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that simple polypectomy and more invasive surgical procedures led to subjective improvement in symptoms of menorrhagia and metrorrhagia and a high satisfaction rate in women with endometrial polyps.     

子宫内膜息肉的手术治疗及术后复发的预防

目的探讨子宫内膜息肉的宫腔镜手术治疗及术后应用孕激素预防复发的效果。方法选择北京大学深圳医院2001年8月至2007年8月行宫腔镜诊治的子宫内膜息肉86例患者,术后分为激素治疗组和观察组,激素治疗组术后给予安宫黄体酮周期性治疗3个月,观察子宫内膜息肉复发及妊娠情况。结果 86例患者中,宫腔镜检查多发性子宫内膜息肉56例,单发性子宫内膜息肉32例;激素治疗组术后2年,复发率为2.3%,观察组复发率为13.9%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。32例有生育要求的患者中,术后2年23例自然妊娠,妊娠率为71.9%,但激素治疗组妊娠率(70.6%,12/17)和观察组(73.3%,11/15)比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论子宫内膜息肉患者行宫腔镜诊断及治疗效果明确,术后应用孕激素治疗可能有助于预防子宫内膜息肉的复发。     

Endometrial cancer following endometrial resection

Endometrial ablation has emerged as a viable alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of medically intractable dysfunctional uterine bleeding. However, this procedure cannot guarantee complete removal of the entire endometrium. Cases of endometrial cancer after endometrial ablation have been reported in the literature. We reviewed the cases of patients who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial ablation by endometrial resection for abnormal uterine bleeding from 1994 to 2005 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Polyclinique, Clermont-Ferrand University. Of the 3769 patients having had hysteroresections, four developed endometrial cancer after complete endometrial ablation (1.06 out of 1000). All four of these patients showed histological evidence of endometrial polyps at endometrial resection, and all of them presented risk factors for endometrial carcinoma, such as obesity and/or arterial hypertension. Endometrial cancer after hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is a rare but possible occurrence, even a long time after the operation. Close monitoring of patients who have undergone endometrial ablation for endometrial polyps and who present risk factors, such as obesity or hypertension, even after apparent total ablation of the endometrium is strongly recommended, independently of the presence of abnormal bleeding that can represent a late symptom of advanced endometrial cancer.     

Perioperative predictors of successful hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

OBJECTIVE: To determine which perioperative factors influence the success of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation in patients with menorrhagia. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal study of 128 women who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial ablation or resection. Clinical data included age, uterine size, the presence of intramural or submucosal myomas and polyps, and length of follow-up from initial hysteroscopic ablation to re-ablation or hysterectomy ('failure'). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to evaluate the equality of survival distributions and to model the overall effects of the various predictor variables on surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a median time of 44 months. Thirteen women (10.2%) underwent a second operative procedure. Multivariate analysis identified submucosal myoma as a statistically significant positive predictor of the risk of failure [hazard ratio (HR) 5.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.63, 16.73)]. Older age was associated with a marginally lower risk of subsequent surgery (HR 0.90 per additional year of age, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of submucosal myoma increases the risk of subsequent surgery in patients undergoing endometrial ablation.     

The clinical significance of small endometrial polyps

Objective

Small endometrial polyps are relatively common in asymptomatic women and may regress spontaneously. In symptomatic women, the finding of a small polyp (<1 cm diameter) raises the question of the clinical pertinence and necessity of excision. Sparse data are available on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic excision of small polyps to manage abnormal uterine bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess outcome after hysteroscopic excision of small endometrial polyps in symptomatic patients.

Study design

This was an observational cohort study enrolling 255 premenopausal women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and a small endometrial polyp on office hysteroscopy, undertaken between January 2004 and February 2007. The study group was referred for polypectomy by operative hysteroscopy. The outcome of the procedure was reviewed 6–12 months later by a telephone interview to assess the pattern of uterine bleeding after the procedure and overall satisfaction.

Results

Significant improvement in the magnitude of bleeding was experienced by 70% of participants, but only 30% of them reported return to regular menses. Satisfaction with the procedure was reported by 80%. Younger patients reported a less favorable bleeding pattern and were found to be less satisfied with the outcome of the procedure.

Conclusions

Symptomatic women with small endometrial polyps can be treated safely and efficiently with hysteroscopic excision. In the younger age group of patients, however, the outcome of the procedure may be less favorable and may necessitate the addition of endometrial ablation to improve outcome and increase patient satisfaction.     

宫腔镜切除术治疗子宫内膜息肉的效果及影响术后自然妊娠状态的因素分析

目的：探讨宫腔镜切除子宫内膜息肉（endometrial polyp,EP）的疗效及影响术后自然妊娠状态的因素。方法：选取2013年2月-2014年11月在天津市咸水沽医院妇产科宫腔镜电切治疗的60例EP合并不孕患者为研究对象。术后3、6、18个月随访患者的阴道不规则出血、EP复发率、自然妊娠率,并分析影响患者术后自然妊娠的因素。结果：术后阴道不规则出血发生率为3.33%,EP复发率为1.67%。术后3个月累积自然妊娠率为28.33%,术后6个月累积自然妊娠率为50%,术后18个月累积自然妊娠率为65.00%。单因素分析结果显示,不同年龄EP患者宫腔镜术后自然妊娠率差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;不同不孕年限、不孕类型及息肉大小的EP患者宫腔镜术后自然妊娠率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。多因素分析显示,年龄＞30岁是EP患者宫腔镜切除术后自然妊娠率的影响因素（OR=11.00,95%CI：4.108~29.454,P=0.000）;原发性不孕、不孕年限＞3年、息肉＞1 cm或多发则不是EP患者术后自然妊娠率的影响因素（P＞0.05）。结论：对于EP合并不孕的患者,宫腔镜治疗具有良好的治疗效果,且患者年龄越小术后自然妊娠的成功率越高。     

Long-term results of hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps in 367 patients. Role of associated endometrial resection

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps and the eventual role of associated endometrial resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study. Between 1998 and 2001, 367 patients had hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps, which were initially confirmed by diagnostic hysteroscopy. Fifty-four percent of these had associated endometrial resection. RESULTS: Five intraoperative complications and/or incidents were noted, but there was no major complication. 83% of patients were followed up and the median follow-up period was 40 months (range 17-66 months). The success rate in this study was 96.4%. This is higher in the group of patients that had associated endometrial resection: 98.3 vs 93.7%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic resection is the optimal method for treatment of benign endometrial polyps. Associated endometrial resection in older patients or in patients not desiring to conserve their fertility potential improves the success rate and decreases the rate of recurrences.     

Recurrent endometrial polyps in postmenopausal breast cancer patients on tamoxifen

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial polyps are the most common endometrial pathology described in association with postmenopausal tamoxifen exposure, with an incidence of up to 10.7% of malignancy. Some women tend to develop recurrent polyps. However, no one has yet described any risk factors for the development of recurrent endometrial polyps in postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients. METHODS: We compared various clinical features of 64 postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients with a primary endometrial polyp (Group I), with those of 27 similar patients with recurrent polyps (Group 2). RESULTS: Previous exposure to hormone replacement therapy was significantly more common and duration of tamoxifen treatment, up to the diagnosis of primary endometrial polyp, was significantly shorter in Group II patients (P = 0.0217 and P = 0.0148, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the combination of shorter tamoxifen exposure before the diagnosis of primary polyp, lower parity, lower menopausal age at the diagnosis of primary polyp, and higher years of tamoxifen treatment was found to increase significantly the risk of developing recurrent endometrial polyps. Any additional year of tamoxifen treatment may increase by fivefold the risk of developing recurrent polyps. There was no significant difference in ultrasonographic endometrial thickness measured before resection of the primary polyps in both groups and before the resection of recurrent polyps in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Previous use of HRT, shorter duration of tamoxifen exposure, and additional years of tamoxifen treatment may significantly increase the risk of developing recurrent endometrial polyps in postmenopausal breast cancer tamoxifen-treated patients.     

Polycystic ovary syndrome and increased polyp numbers as risk factors for malignant transformation of endometrial polyps in premenopausal women

Objective

To determine the pre-malignant and malignant potential of endometrial polyps and to assess whether different clinical parameters are associated with malignancy in the polyps of premenopausal women.

Methods

The clinical records of operative office hysteroscopic and resectoscopic procedures for endometrial polyps in 417 premenopausal women who attended Baskent University were examined over a retrospective period of 30 months. Only premenopausal patients were included in the study.

Results

In 97.8% of women, histology showed benign endometrial pathology. In 2.2% of women, pre-malignant or malignant conditions were found in the polyp. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the presence of 2 or more polyps were associated with significant pre-malignant or malignant changes.

Conclusion

The presence of irregular vaginal bleeding was not a predictor of malignancy in the polyp. Premenopausal women with PCOS and those with 2 or more polyps had an increased prevalence of polyp malignancy. These groups of patients, whether symptomatic or not, should be evaluated by hysteroscopic resection of the polyps.     

Prevalence, 1-Year Regression Rate,and Clinical Significance of Asymptomatic Endometrial Polyps: Cross-sectional Study

Study OjectiveTo estimate the prevalence, 1-year regression rate, and clinical significance of endometrial polyps in women aged 45 to 50 years.DesignCross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force II-2).SettingUniversity teaching hospital.PatientsTwo hundred fifty-seven of 1000 randomly selected women aged 45 to 50 years.InterventionsTransvaginal ultrasonography and saline infusion sonography were performed in all study participants and were repeated in women with endometrial polyps after 12 months. Polyps present at follow-up were removed by hysteroscopic polyp resection.Measurements and Main ResultsEndometrial polyps were diagnosed in 31 women (12.1%). At 1 year, the polyp regression rate was 27%. Myomas occurred more often in women with endometrial polyps, and women with polyps experienced significantly heavier periodic bleeding compared with women without polyps.ConclusionOur study findings suggest that endometrial polyps are common in women aged 45 to 50 years and that women with such polyps experience heavier periodic bleeding. Although some polyps seem to regress spontaneously during 1-year follow-up, most seem to persist.     

子宫内膜息肉治疗后预防复发策略

宫腔镜手术是子宫内膜息肉治疗的最佳手术方案,反对单纯诊刮这类盲操作。宫腔镜手术术中同时行息肉切除与子宫内膜去除术能降低其复发率,并能预防接受他莫昔芬治疗的乳腺癌患者子宫内膜息肉复发。