Successful pregnancy in an infertile patient with conservatively treated endometrial adenocarcinoma after transfer of embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

A rare case of successful pregnancy in a woman with early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma conservatively treated is presented. The patient, having polycystic ovaries, was initially diagnosed with hyperplasia of the endometrium and treated with several cycles of ovulation induction following intrauterine insemination. Then dilatation and curettage were carried out when hysteroscopy was performed. The histology report identified a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. After repeated endometrial curettage, in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were introduced for immediate treatment of the patient's infertility in order to avoid the risk of recurrence of neoplastic endometrial lesions by oestrogens. A single pregnancy was achieved after transfer of the embryos obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This was performed due to the poor semen characteristics (asthenozoospermia). The patient delivered a healthy normal male infant at term. A transvaginal ultrasound examination 2 months after delivery showed a smooth, linear endometrium. Moreover, the histology report after endometrial biopsy was free of any malignancies. The patient now desires another pregnancy. We conclude that conservative treatment of early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma in young women wishing to preserve fertility should be considered in carefully selected cases. Assisted reproductive technologies may be helpful for immediate achievement of pregnancy in such patients.     

Isolated endometrial polypoid sarcoidosis in a post-menopausal patient: case report

We report here the first case of isolated uterine endometrial sarcoidosis presenting as an asymptomatic polypoid lesion. A 52-year-old patient, who had her last menstrual period 2 years before, was submitted to an office hysteroscopy because of an ultrasonographic finding of endometrial thickening preceding hormonal therapy. A polypoid endometrial lesion removed by surgical hysteroscopy revealed chronic granulomatous endometritis. After excluding other granulomatous diseases, the diagnose of sarcoidosis was corroborated. The finding of polypoid endometrial sarcoidosis expands the differential diagnoses possibilities in case of endometrial polyps.     

The value of hysteroscopy in perimenopausal women

The aim of this review is to define clinical guidelines for the management of menopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Hysteroscopy has proved to be the most accurate and reliable method for the diagnosis of intrauterine diseases. Many authors have recently proposed the use of hysteroscopy as a first line procedure in the approach to menopausal women. With continuing improvement in technology, and development of modern narrow-diameter hysteroscopes, light sources and distension-medium insufflators, hysteroscopy can now be performed as an outpatient procedure. Because of its higher diagnostic accuracy, hysteroscopy is replacing dilatation and curettage for the investigation of abnormal uterine bleeding. Diagnostic dilatation and curettage should be done with hysteroscopy to obtain visual image of the endometrial cavity and to exclude focal disease. Hysteroscopy thus turns a ,"blind" procedure into one allowing directed curettage, helps prevent missing unsuspected polypes and ensures that the most visibly abnormal areas are sampled.     

Hysterography in evaluating the uterine cavity in patients with endometrial carcinoma

In 49 patients with endometrial carcinoma hysterographic study was performed. This finding was correlated with fractional curettage, hysteroscopy and surgery. The best correlation was noted between hysterography and hysteroscopy. The flow into the tubes or abdominal cavity using low pressure was found in 20% of the cases. In our opinion hysterography is a useful aid when examining the uterine cavity and cervical canal, and, thus, important when planning treatment and determining clinical stage.     

The ATAC ('Arimidex', Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) adjuvant breast cancer trial: baseline endometrial sub-protocol data on the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasonography and diagnostic hysteroscopy

BACKGROUND: The 'Arimidex', Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial is a randomized, double-blind trial comparing anastrozole ('Arimidex'), alone or in combination with tamoxifen, relative to tamoxifen alone as 5 year adjuvant treatment for post-menopausal women with early breast cancer. Since tamoxifen is associated with endometrial pathology, the ATAC endometrial sub-protocol was initiated to establish the background prevalence of intrauterine pathology, and to assess prospectively the incidence and nature of intrauterine changes following endocrine therapy. Another aim was to provide data from which advice could be generated on the best endometrium screening method for patients receiving tamoxifen. METHODS: Patients underwent endometrial assessments at entry to the sub-protocol. The baseline investigations comprised transvaginal ultrasound scanning (TVUS), a hysteroscopy and an endometrial biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 285 gynaecologically asymptomatic women from 31 centres in 10 countries entered the endometrial sub-protocol. The mean uterine volume was 47.7 cm3. The median endometrial thickness overall was 3 mm. Twenty-four histologically confirmed, pathological changes were observed. Twenty-three pathologies were confirmed by TVUS, and 21 were identified by hysteroscopy and confirmed by histopathology. Women with or without intrauterine pathology had median endometrial thickness of 5 and 3 mm respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pathology was associated with increased endometrial thickness. The relative sensitivity and specificity of hysteroscopy and endometrial thickness for the diagnosis of endometrial pathology was comparable to other studies. If screening of the endometrium prior to treatment is appropriate, this study supports the use of an endometrial thickness of 3 mm, as assessed by TVUS, as a threshold for needing further investigation. This study demonstrates that if the endometrial thickness is >3 mm, hysteroscopy and biopsy is the optimal method of detecting intrauterine pathology in women with breast cancer who are about to commence endocrine treatment.     

Investigation of the infertile couple: hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy is the gold standard investigation for abnormal uterine bleeding

During the last decade hysteroscopy has become the tool of choice for the evaluation of the endometrial cavity, including for assessment of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Many clinicians would consider that, in most patients, the combination of transvaginal sonography and out-patient endometrial biopsy with diagnostic hysteroscopy could replace the need for dilation and curettage. Hysteroscopy was reported to have sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of 94.2, 88.8, 96.3 and 83.1% respectively, in predicting normal or abnormal endometrial histopathology. The highest accuracy of hysteroscopy was in diagnosing endometrial polyps, whereas the worst result was in estimating hyperplasia. Therefore, since the incidence of focal lesions in patients with AUB is high, it seems that the most beneficial approach is to proceed with hysteroscopy complemented by endometrial biopsy early in the assessment of AUB. Nevertheless, the usage of distension media to flush the uterine cavity raises the concern that when the endometrium harbours pathology, there is the potential risk of retrograde dissemination of malignant cells into the peritoneal cavity. The clinical significance of the dissemination of endometrial cells during hysteroscopy is still undetermined.     

Co-treatment with growth hormone of sub-optimal responders in IVF-ET

Several growth factors augment the ovarian response to gonadotrophins and growth hormone is known to regulate the production of insulin-like growth factor-1. With this in mind, 20 women who had previously responded sub-optimally to standard ovarian stimulation regimens for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were recruited into a randomized trial to study the effect of co-treatment with growth hormone (Norditropin, Novo Nordisk Gentofte A/S). Intramuscular injections of growth hormone (24 IU) or placebo were given on alternate days concurrently with the same daily dosage of gonadotrophin as administered in the patient's pretreatment cycle. Overall, there was no improvement in the ovarian response to the growth hormone-augmented regimen of stimulation although there was a tendency for the development of more follicles (P = 0.06). When the results from the patients with ultrasound-diagnosed polycystic ovaries were analysed separately, however, more follicles developed (P = 0.04), more oocytes were collected (P = 0.03) and there was a trend towards higher urinary oestrogen production following growth hormone therapy. There was no improvement in the ovarian response in patients with normal ovaries. The treatment was not associated with any adverse effects. We conclude, therefore, that in a subgroup of patients who respond sub-optimally to standard ovarian stimulation regimens for IVF-ET and who have ultrasound-diagnosed polycystic ovaries, systemic growth hormone is an effective adjunctive therapy.     

Uterine pregnancy and endometrial cancer

An observation of the uterine pregnancy combined with endometrial adenocarcinoma and uterine body endometriosis in a woman of 4.2 with the obesity of III degree, and hypertension is described. Chorion willi, decidual tissue, large pieces of the endometrium with decidual conversion of stroma and numerous monstrous closely packed glands with arrangement of nuclei in several rows and moderate mitosis are found histologically in the uterine curettage. Tumour cells formed at places solid bands with pseudocribrous structures. Uterus with its appendages was removed. Histologically reversible endometrial changes after the interrupted pregnancy are found with foci of an atypical glandular hyperplasia but without tumour elements. Endometriosis foci in the myometrium and a diffuse theca-cell hyperplasia in the ovaries are observed.     

40岁以下妇女子宫内膜癌刮宫活检的病理诊断问题

目的 探讨40岁以下妇女子宫内膜癌刮宫活检的病理诊断。方法对20例40岁以下子宫内膜癌患者的临床病理资料进行回顾性分析。结果子宫内膜样腺癌18例,腺鳞癌(腺癌伴鳞状上皮分化)1例,浆液性乳头状癌并透明细胞癌1例。子宫内膜样腺癌的组织学特点是子宫内膜腺体失去极性,细胞核变大、变圆、核仁突出,染色质粗或呈空泡状,同时子宫内膜间质消失,代之为肉芽组织或纤维组织,常有炎性反应。子宫内膜样腺癌多数仅累及浅肌层,皆无转移。1例子宫内膜腺鳞癌呈双侧卵巢转移;1例浆液性乳头状癌有盆腔淋巴结转移。结论40岁以下妇女的子宫内膜癌多数为高分化子宫内膜样腺癌,应注意与子宫内膜不典型增生及不典型息肉状腺肌瘤鉴别。     

The effectiveness of the Masterson curette in sampling the endometrial cavity.

The Masterson curette was used to sample the endometrial cavity of 25 women prior to scheduled hysterectomy for benign or malignant pathology. Adequate amount of tissue was obtained in 20 (87%) of 23 patients who did not have endometrial atrophy. The Masterson curettage detected all seven cases of endometrial hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma for a sensitivity of 100%. However, the Masterson curette does not sample the entire endometrial cavity. If abnormal uterine bleeding persists despite normal histology on curettings obtained with the Masterson or other endometrial sampling device, hysteroscopy is recommended.     

Histologic study of ovaries from young women with endometrial adenocarcinoma.

A histologic study of 15 ovaries from patients in whom endometrial adenocarcinoma developed before the age of 40 years was performed. These ovaries were randomized with control groups of 21 age-matched normal ovaries and 25 ovaries from patients who had Stein-Leventhal syndrome. The study was done in an attempt to determine whether the ovaries from these young patients showed any histologic feature that would indicate abnormal ovarian function resulting in unopposed estrogenic stimulation of the endometrium. Histologic features assessed included type and size of cysts, presence and number of primary follicles, corpora lutea, corpora albicantia, and presence of stromal luteinization and sclerosis. Analysis of the results indicated that from a histologic point of view ovaries of patients less than 40 years old who have endometrial adenocarcinoma are more similar to normal ovaries than to polycystic ovaries. Only 11.1% of ovaries of the study group had features suggestive of polycystic ovarian disease.     

The outcome of in-vitro fertilization treatment in women with sonographic evidence of polycystic ovarian morphology.

This study compared the outcome of a course of up to three cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in 46 women (97 cycles) who had polycystic ovaries (PCO) seen on ultrasound scan, but who had no clinical symptomatology associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, with that of 145 women (332 cycles) who had normal ovarian morphology on ultrasound examination. All 191 women had normal early follicular phase serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations, were less than 40 years of age and used the long protocol of pituitary suppression with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy. On average, the women with PCO produced more follicles, oocytes and embryos than the women with normal ovaries, but the fertilization, cleavage and miscarriage rates were similar. Adjusted for age, the odds of achieving a pregnancy within three cycles of treatment in a woman with PCO were 69% higher than those of a woman with normal ovaries [odds ratio (OR): 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-2.90, P = 0.05)] and the odds of achieving a live birth were 82% higher (OR: 1.82, 95% CI 1.05-3.16, P = 0.03). There is, therefore, evidence that outcome of IVF treatment for women with PCO seen on ultrasound examination may be better than that for women with normal ovaries.     

Endometrial lesions causing uterine bleeding in postmenopausal women receiving raloxifene

It is generally accepted, that raloxifene administration does not have adverse effects on the uterus. We report the cases of two relatively young postmenopausal patients, who presented with vaginal bleeding, due to endometrial pathology, approximately 1 year after the initiation of raloxifene administration. The women were 43 and 44 years old, and received 60 mg/day of oral raloxifene for 11.5 and 10.5 months, respectively. In both cases, raloxifene was given for osteoporosis prevention in the absence of vasomotor symptoms. The first patient underwent Pipelle-biopsy and hysteroscopy with histopathology revealing simple endometrial hyperplasia. The second patient underwent hysteroscopy with removal of an endometrial polyp, with no histopathological signs of malignancy. Continuation of raloxifene administration was decided in both cases, and follow-up did not reveal any sign of recurrence. Uterine bleeding may rarely occur in postmenopausal women under raloxifene therapy. Patients should be encouraged to report bleeding or spotting and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management should follow as in any other case.     

Dynamic monitoring of menopause hormone therapy and defining the cut-off value of endometrial thickness during uterine bleeding

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-dose tibolone therapy on ovarian area, uterine volume and endometrial thickness, and define the cut-off value of endometrial thickness for curettage during uterine bleeding. We followed 619 postmenopausal women, aged 40-60 years, for two years. There were 301 subjects in the low-dose tibolone treatment group and 318 subjects in the control group. The ovarian area, uterine volume and endometrial thickness in all participants were measured by transvaginal ultrasound prior to, one and two years post enrollment, respectively. Endometrial specimens were collected from all subjects with abnormal uterine bleeding during the follow-up period. We found that the uterine volume in the treatment group was greater than that in the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in ovarian area and endometrial thickness between the two groups (P>0.05). When the cut-off value for endometrial thickness was 7.35 mm, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 79.07%, respectively, and 85.71% and 93.02% when 7.55 mm was set as the cut-off during tibolone therapy. The results indicate that low-dose tibolone therapy may postpone uterine atrophy and the cut-off value of endometrial thickness may be appropriately adjusted for curettage.     

超声和宫腔镜检查在219例绝经后子宫出血中的诊断价值

目的探讨宫腔镜及B超检查在绝经后子宫出血病因中的诊断价值。方法对我院2001年8月至2011年8月219例绝经后子宫出血妇女的临床资料及宫腔镜检查的病理结果进行回顾性分析。结果以病理诊断为基础,宫腔镜诊断子宫内膜增生症、子宫内膜炎、子宫粘膜下肌瘤、子宫内膜息肉、子宫内膜癌与病理诊断的符合率分别为60.8%（48/79）、91.9%（34/37）、90.9%（20/22）、93.1%（27/29）、80.0%（20/25）,超声检查的符合率分别为48.1%（38/79）、35.1%（13/37）、59.1%（13/22）、65.5%（19/29）、44.0%（11/25）。宫腔镜诊断与病理诊断的符合率为78.1%（171/219）,明显高于超声诊断与病理诊断的符合率48.9%（107/219）（χ2=40.334,P=0.01）。结论绝经后子宫出血的患者最佳诊断方法是,先做超声检查了解子宫及盆腔情况,再宫腔镜检查后行分段诊刮术做组织病理学检查确诊。     

An assessment of the Mi-Mark endoemtrial sampling technique.

One hundred and twenty cytological smears and 106 histological specimens were obtained from 115 patients using a new technique of endometrial sampling. It proved an atraumatic procedure and was well accepted by the patients. Some problems were encountered in the preparation of satisfactory cytological specimens and in their interpretation. The method was not completely reliable for detecting endometrial pathology and is therefore considered unsuitable for monitoring patients on hormone replacement therapy. It was found to be useful as a gynaecological outpatient technique for sampling the endometrium when formal curettage was unsuccessful, in avoiding the necessity for a preoperative curettage to confirm suspected carcinoma, and in the investigation of infertility.     

Is routine diagnostic laparoscopy for infertility still justified? A pilot study assessing the use of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

We assessed the value of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as alternatives to laparoscopy and dye insufflation with or without hysteroscopy in the investigation of infertility. A total of 19 women had all three procedures, in addition, one became pregnant after HyCoSy alone. The findings were: uterine fibroids (n = 5), minimal-mild endometriosis (n = 4) and moderate- severe endometriosis (n = 3) including one case of bilateral endometriomas, endometrial polyp (n = 1), polycystic ovaries (n = 2), bilateral dermoid cysts (n = 1), haemorrhagic corpus luteal cyst (n = 1) and minimal adhesions (n = 3). At laparoscopy, 31/37 tubes were patent and there was 84% concordance with the tubal patency findings at HyCoSy. The uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts were detected using transvaginal scanning; the endometrial polyp and a congenital uterine anomaly were identified using HyCoSy. These findings were detected using MRI, but in addition the technique distinguished the dermoid cysts from the endometriomas, identified the two other cases of moderate-severe endometriosis, fibroids <2 cm (n = 2) and adenomyosis (n = 5), and interpreted the haemorrhagic corpus luteum as an endometrioma. Our data suggest that women with normal HyCoSy and MRI findings have a normal pelvis and may not need routine surgical investigation.      

Endometrial assessment procedures: an audit of current practice in Scotland

The objective was to determine, in relation to endometrial assessment procedures, the extent to which the current practice of gynaecologists in Scotland (as assessed both by questionnaire survey of clinicians and review of hospital records) accords with recommendations in recent evidence-based guidelines. All 132 consultant gynaecologists in Scotland were surveyed and 123 (93%) responded. In addition, the case records of 1199 consecutive women undergoing endometrial assessment procedures in 12 representative hospitals were reviewed. Over two thirds of consultants agreed that endometrial assessment procedures are seldom indicated in women aged under 40 years and over 80% agreed that when such procedures are indicated, outpatient endometrial biopsy represents the method of choice. However, the review of case records showed that 23% of the women who underwent endometrial assessment were aged under 40 years and only 44% of the procedures undertaken were out- patient endometrial biopsies. We conclude that some Scottish women may be undergoing endometrial assessment procedures unnecessarily and that, in some centres, traditional dilatation and curettage is being replaced by hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic in theatre although there is no evidence that this procedure provides more clinically useful information than out-patient endometrial biopsy.      

Clinical presentation of PCOS following development of an insulinoma: case report

A 24 year old woman presented with a prolonged clinical history of fasting and exertional hypoglycaemia, and was subsequently diagnosed with an insulinoma. Concurrent symptoms of oligomenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism of similar duration were noted. Biochemically, hyperinsulinaemia was observed in association with a raised serum luteinizing hormone (LH), raised testosterone and androstendione concentrations. Surgical removal of the insulinoma resulted in resolution of the clinical and biochemical features of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) but minimal change was observed in the ovarian ultrasound appearances. This case demonstrates the role of insulin in mediating the hypersecretion of both LH and androgens in women with polycystic ovaries. We suggest that hyperinsulinaemia converted occult 'polycystic ovaries' to become clinically manifest as 'polycystic ovary syndrome'. This paradigm has clear implications for women with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus who presumably have systemic hyperinsulinaemia.     

The association between polycystic ovaries and endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are assumed to be at increased risk of endometrial cancer (EC), albeit of a more differentiated type with better prognosis than in normal women. This study was designed to test these assumptions, as evidence for them is lacking. METHODS: The prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO), as a marker of PCOS, was investigated in ovarian sections from 128 women with EC and 83 with benign gynaecological conditions. The expression of the prognostic markers p53, Ki67, Bcl2 and cyclin D1 was also investigated by immunohistochemistry in endometrial tumours from 11 women with PCO and 16 with normal ovaries. RESULTS: Overall, PCO were similarly prevalent in women with EC (8.6%) and benign controls (8.4%); however, in women aged <50 years, PCO were more prevalent in women with EC (62.5 versus 27.3%, P = 0.033). Cyclin D1-expressing endometrial tumours tended to be more prevalent in women with PCO compared to normal ovaries (36.4 versus 6.25%, respectively, P = 0.071). Bcl2-, p53- and Ki67-expressing tumours were similarly prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: The association between PCOS and EC appears confined to premenopausal women. The tendency for cyclin D1-expressing endometrial tumours to be more prevalent in women with PCO challenges the assumption that EC prognosis is improved in women with PCOS.