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.     

Prediction of Premalignant and Malignant Endometrial Polyps by Clinical and Hysteroscopic Features

Study ObjectiveTo investigate whether hysteroscopic features can contribute to the diagnosis of malignancy in endometrial polyps.DesignRetrospective review.SettingObstetrics and gynecology department.PatientsAll women who underwent operative hysteroscopy for the removal of endometrial polyps between January 2012 and September 2017. Their medical records were reviewed, and information on medical, surgical, and obstetric history and hysteroscopic findings (including the number, size, and vascular appearance of the polyps) were abstracted.InterventionsOperative hysteroscopy with resection or biopsy of endometrial polyps.Measurements and Main ResultsFive hundred fifty-six women were included in the study. Their mean age was 55.4 ± 12.4 years, and 322 (57.9%) were menopausal. Endometrial carcinoma was found in 26 (4.7%) cases, whereas endometrial hyperplasia was found in 5 (0.9%) cases. Endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia was significantly associated with patients’ age, menopausal status, increased polyp vascularity on hysteroscopy, and the presence of 3 or more polyps on hysteroscopy (p <.01 for all comparisons). However, the size of the largest polyp was not associated with endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia. On logistic regression analysis, only increased polyp vascularity was associated with endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia (odds ratio =13.5; 95% confidence interval, 5.6–32.3; p <.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of polyp vascularity for the diagnosis of polyps of nonbenign pathology were 51.6%, 94.3%, 34.8%, and 97.1%, respectively.ConclusionHysteroscopic findings of increased vascularity of endometrial polyps and numerous endometrial polyps may suggest the diagnosis of malignant polyps, in addition to demographic parameters such as age and menopausal status.     

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.     

A randomized prospective study of the use of endometrial ablation for prevention of recurrent endometrial polyps in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen

Objective: To assess the roles of endometrial ablation in prevention of recurrence of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps in breast cancer patients.Design: A randomized prospective study of tamoxifen-treated patients who underwent hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps with or without simultaneous resection of the endometrium.Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive women (aged 43–61 years) undergoing hysteroscopic removal of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps were randomized via a computer-generated random table to undergo or not to undergo concomitant endometrial ablation. All patients had undergone endometrial sampling prior to the procedure. The patients were followed for at least 18 months (range 18–24 months). The follow-up included transvaginal ultrasonography every 6 months and hysteroscopy when endometrial irregularity was noted. The main outcome variable was recurrence of endometrial polyps while the occurrence of uterine bleeding was noted.Results: In the 10 study group women, who underwent endometrial ablation, only 1 patient had a 1 × 1 cm endometrial polyp diagnosed and removed during the follow-up period. Seven of the study women remained amenorrheic, and 3 experienced spotting a few days every month. In the control group, a recurrent endometrial polyp, necessitating hysteroscopic removal, was diagnosed postoperatively in 6 women (two-tailed Fisher’s Exact test; P < .06).Conclusion: Recurrence of endometrial polyps, one of the most common problems in breast cancer patients receiving long-term treatment with tamoxifen, can be significantly reduced by performing endometrial ablation at the time of hysteroscopic removal of the polyp. The possible risk of occult endometrial cancer is yet to be determined.     

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。     

Sessile polyps and pedunculated polyps respond differently to oral contraceptives

Endometrial polyp is the lesion frequently found by hysteroscopy. The presence of endometrial polyp is associated with abnormal uterine bleeding and is probably associated with infertility. Until today, clinical guidelines for endometrial polyp remain elusive. The aim of this preliminary study was to estimate whether the shape of endometrial polyps affects the response to the treatment with an oral contraceptive (OC). We performed a retrospective case series study on 50 women diagnosed as endometrial polyps by hysteroscopy and managed by the administration of OC. Hysteroscopy was performed in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle before medical treatment. Endometrial polyps were classified as pedunculated polyps (n?=?25) or sessile polyps (n?=?25). After diagnosis, OC was administered for 2–5 months (median 3 months) intermittently: To quantify the regression rate of lesions, the area index of endometrial polyps was assessed. In the study group, when comparing the efficacy of treatment with OC, there was a statistically significant difference in the regression rate between sessile polyps and pedunculated polyps (76% vs. 44%, p?=?0.042). We conclude that sessile polyps are more sensitive to OC treatment than pedunculated polyps, implying usefulness of the hysteroscopic classification of the shape of polyps in the management of endometrial polyps.     

Atypical hyperplasia of endometrium and hysteroscopy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of discovering an endometrial cancer when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by either endometrial samples using the pipelle device or hysteroscopic resection products. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective monocentric study from january 1990 to july 2000. Twenty-three patients with atypical hyperplasia were included. Initial endometrial status was provided by endometrial biopsyduring diagnosis hysteroscopy (12 cases) or by operative hysteroscopic resection products (11 cases). For 23 patients, operative hysteroscopy and analyse of products resected were performed. For all patients, there was no hysteroscopical aspect evocative of adenocarcinoma. For 23 patients, histopathological analysis of the hysterectomy piece precised the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the 23 hysterectomy pieces, 7 adenocarcinomas were diagnosed (30.4%). Risk for discovering adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by means of the pipelle biopsy device was 50% (6/12). Risk for discovering adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by means of operative hysteroscopy resection products was 5.9 % (1/17). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Atypical endometrial hyperplasia evidenced by pipelle biopsy device is often associated with adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis hysteroscopy however does not show evident pathological aspect of adenocarcinoma in such cases. Operative hysteroscopy allows in most cases correction of endometrial status. Risk of omitting adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia is discovered on hysteroscopic resection pieces is low.     

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 Endometrial Polypectomy with Manual Vacuum Aspiration Compared to Mechanical Morcellation

Study ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of hysteroscopy plus manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for endometrial polypectomy compared with hysteroscopic morcellation.DesignRetrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingDuke University Medical Center database.PatientsWomen who underwent hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps performed by Duke Fertility Center faculty physicians between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2018, using either hysteroscopy plus MVA or hysteroscopic morcellation.InterventionsThe 2 groups were compared using the χ² or Fisher's exact test, Student's t test, and multivariable regression analysis.Measurements and Main ResultsThe primary outcome was the duration of the procedure. Secondary outcomes were fluid deficit, rate of complete polyp resection, estimated blood loss, and operative complications. A total of 102 women undergoing endometrial polypectomy were identified. Patients in whom polyps were removed using only a hysteroscopic grasper and/or scissors (n = 31); patients who underwent an additional simultaneous procedure, such as laparoscopy (n = 12); and patients in whom the duration of the procedure was not recorded (n = 2) were excluded. Among the remaining 57 patients, 28 underwent hysteroscopy plus MVA and 29 underwent hysteroscopic morcellation. The mean duration of procedure was longer for hysteroscopic morcellation compared with hysteroscopy plus MVA (32 ± 10 minutes vs 20 ± 6 minutes; p = .04), and this difference remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, surgeon, and number and size of polyps. Mean fluid deficit was greater for morcellation than for hysteroscopy plus MVA (277 ± 204 mL vs 51 ± 97 mL; p < .001). Complete polyp resection was possible in all patients; however, the use of a hysteroscopic scissors and grasper was required for 1 patient in the MVA group. Estimated blood loss was minimal in all cases, and there were no operative complications.ConclusionHysteroscopy plus MVA is an effective method for removing large or multiple endometrial polyps, with outcomes comparable to hysteroscopic morcellation.     

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)     

Specific hysteroscopic findings can efficiently distinguish the differences between malignant and benign endometrial polyps

ObjectiveTo evaluate differences in hysteroscopic findings between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.Materials and methodsFrom January 2012 to December 2016, we extracted 179 cases with endometrial polyps from 3066 women who underwent hysteroscopy followed by dilatation and curettage or transcervical resection, with 154 and 25 cases of benign and malignant endometrial polyps, respectively. Clinical characteristics, histopathological and hysteroscopic findings of the women were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsThe hysteroscopic findings of malignant polyps were hyper-vascular (72%, 18/25), ulcerative (64%, 16/25) and polyps with irregular surfaces (24%, 6/25). In contrast, pedunculate small growths with smooth surfaces were usually seen in the benign endometrial polyps (38.3%, 59/154). Hyper-vascular (OR: 142.6, 95% CI: 25.98–783.4) and polyps with irregular surfaces (OR: 12.02, 95% CI: 1.765–81.83) in hysteroscopic findings were significant strong predictors of endometrial polyps with endometrial cancer. Hysteroscopic findings of ulcerative changes were most strongly associated with a diagnosis of malignant polyps, with sensitivity, specificity, negative (NPV) and positive (PPV) predictive values of 64.0%, 100%, 94.5%, and 100%, respectively.ConclusionWomen with hysteroscopic findings of endometrial polyps with hyper-vascular, ulcerative, and polyps with irregular surfaces had a high likelihood of endometrial cancer. A target biopsy of the polyps with these specific appearances should be performed to exclude malignant lesions.     

Hysteroscopic findings of endometrial carcinoma. Evaluation of 104 cases

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Retrospective evaluation of hysteroscopic findings in the accurate diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective monocentric study from January 1995 to December 2004. One hundred and four patients with hysteroscopic aspects evocative of endometrial carcinoma confirmed by endometrial biopsy during diagnostic hysteroscopy, by surgical hysteroscopic resection pieces or by hysterectomy specimen were included. RESULTS: Among the 104 patients, diagnostic hysteroscopy pointed out endometrial features suggestive of endometrial carcinoma in 102 cases. In two women diagnostic hysteroscopy failed to diagnose endometrial malignancy which was identified on pieces of polyps by surgical hysteroscopic resection. DISCUSSION: Polypoid proliferations cerebroid in appearance, with ulceration and necrosis, friable and with irregular vessels, represent endometrial findings highly indicative of malignancy. The diagnosis may be missed in cases of focal neoplasias, within endometrial polyps or in conditions of unsatisfactory endouterine visualization.     

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.     

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.     

Usefulness of Clinical,Ultrasonographic, Hysteroscopic,and Immunohistochemical Parameters in Differentiating Endometrial Polyps From Endometrial Cancer

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the usefulness of clinical, ultrasonographic, hysteroscopic, and immunohistochemical parameters in differentiating endometrial polyps from endometrial cancer.DesignCross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingTertiary public hospital, university teaching center.PatientsEighty-two women who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy and 20 women who underwent surgery to treat endometrial cancer.InterventionsAnalysis of medical records and immunohistochemical assessment of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and endothelial markers CD34 and CD105.Measurements and Main ResultsAmong women with endometrial cancer and endometrial polyps, respectively, mean age was 63 and 57 years (p = .01), 89% and 67% were postmenopausal (p < .05), and 85% and 30.5% had postmenopausal bleeding (p < .01). No sonographic parameter enabled differentiation of endometrial polyp from cancer. Of patients with endometrial cancer, 72% exhibited signs suggestive of hyperplasia, and endometrial polyps were diagnosed during hysteroscopy. Estrogen receptors (≥2 vs ≥ 1; p < .001) and progesterone receptors (≥3 vs ≥ 2; p = .07) were greater in endometrial polyps. There was no significant difference in microvessel density (p > .05).ConclusionsUltrasonographic parameters and endothelial markers did not enable differentiation of polyps from endometrial neoplasia. Postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial hypervascularization along with vascular atypia at diagnostic hysteroscopy showed a greater association with endometrial cancer.     

El potencial maligno de los pólipos endometriales

Objectives

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

Material and methods

452 hysteroscopic resections of endometrial polyps were reviewed. Histological diagnosis and clinical characteristics (presence of abnormal uterine bleeding and polyp size) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results

The study included 203 pre-menopausal and 249 post-menopausal women. The mean age of pre-menopausal women was 44.3 ± 0,4 years, and 59.1 ± 0.5 years for postmenopausal women. The diagnosis of polyps was by ultrasound with or without hysterosonography, or by hysteroscopy. The main indication of hysteroscopy was abnormal uterine bleeding, which was 65.1% in the pre-menopausal group and 74.7% in the post-menopausal group. There were 23 cases (11.3%) of hyperplasia without atypia in the pre-menopausal group, and 8 cases (3.2%) in the post-menopausal group. Hyperplasia with atypia was found in 2 cases (0.9%) in the pre-menopausal group, and in 9 cases (3.6%) in the post-menopausal group. There were 16 cases of endometrial carcinoma (6.4%), all of them in post-menopausal women. In 1 of these 16 patients there was no abnormal bleeding, but an endometrial polyp was suspected in the ultrasound. Menopause status was significantly associated with pre-malignant or malignant changes. No significant association was found between the presence of abnormal uterine bleeding and polyp size with pre-malignancy or malignancy in the polyp.

Conclusions

Post-menopausal women with endometrial polyp, whether symptomatic or not, should be evaluated by hysteroscopic resection. Asymptomatic pre-menopausal patients, without any risk factor, should be followed up.     

Resectoscopic removal of symptomatic intrauterine lesions

In order to avoid major surgical intervention in women who refused or were poor risks for hysterectomy or myomectomy, a hysteroscopic resectoscope was used for 90 women with uncontrollable uterine bleeding due to submucous fibroids or large polyps or with menorrhagia with normal endometria. Of those patients followed for more than three months, 90% of endometrial ablation patients had an improvement in menstrual flow, with 79% having scant or no periods. For patients with submucous fibroids or polyps, 91% had resumption of normal menses. For the 15 patients who were infertile and underwent submucous fibroid or polyp resection the term pregnancy rate is 33% to date. With only two complications in the series (perforation and endometritis), the conclusion is that resection of submucous lesions and endometrial ablation using the resectoscope is a safe and highly effective alternative to hysterectomy for those conditions.     

Risk of discovering endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia during hysteroscopic surgery in postmenopausal women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of diagnosing endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia in tissue resected during hysteroscopy performed for intrauterine pathology presumed benign in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A single-center prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Department of Gynecology, La Conception Hospital, Marseille, France. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty-five women with intrauterine pathology, presumed benign, causing postmenopausal bleeding or bleeding related to hormone replacement therapy. INTERVENTION: All women had an endometrial biopsy after diagnostic hysteroscopy to exclude endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia. Then they underwent hysteroscopic surgical resection (203, 62.5%) or endometrial ablation (122, 37.5%). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two cases each (0.6%) of endometrial carcinoma and endometrial atypical hyperplasia were discovered that were missed by preoperative evaluations. CONCLUSION: Outpatient hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy do not eliminate the finding of carcinoma or endometrial atypical hyperplasia, as these disorders may be discovered during hysteroscopic surgery.     

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.