Endometrial Hyperplasia and Cancer Flashcards
What is Endometrial Hyperplasia?
This is abnormal thickening of the uterine lining caused by proliferation of endometrial glands due to prolonged exposure to excess unopposed oxygen
Describe the pathogenesis of endometrial hyperplasia?
•Endometrial hyperplasia results from estrogen predominance and progesterone insufficiency.
•Estrogen stimulation of the endometrium causes proliferative glandular epithelial changes
How is endometrial hyperplasia classified according to WHO?
-Non-atypical hyperplasia (benign endometrial hyperplasia)
-Atypical hyperplasia (endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia
Describe the histological difference between benign endometrial hyperplasia and Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia.
Benign endometrial hyperplasia
-Increased gland-stromal ratio.
-Glands show a variation in shape and size and may be dilated.
-Some intervening stroma present.
Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia
-Increased gland- stromal ratio
-Glands show a variation in shape and size
-Complex patterns of proliferating glands displaying atypia.
-The cells display nuclear enlargement with or without prominent nucleoli.
What are the risk factors for Endometrial Hyperplasia?
Unopposed endogenous estrogen
Obesity
Nulliparity
Early menarche
Late menopause
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Estrogen secreting tumors
Unopposed exogenous estrogen
Use of tamoxifen
Hormone replacement therapy
Genetics: Type 2 DM, family history, advanced age.
What are the protective factors of Endometrial hyperplasia?(4)
-Weight loss
-Multiparity
-COCs
-Progestin only pills
What are the clinical features of Endometrial Hyperplasia?
Abnormal uterine bleeding:
Postmenopausal: spotting
Premenopausal: heavy menstrual bleeding and inter menstrual bleeding.
What examination is done and what are the usual findings seen in the exam?
Pelvic examination usually normal
What investigations are done in Endometrial hyperplasia?
Laboratory results usually normal.
Transvaginal ultrasound:
To measure endometrial thickness.
To rule out structural causes of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Endometrial sampling:
Pipelle aspiration biopsy
Dilation and curettage
Hysteroscopy
What is the treatment for Benign Endometrial Hyperplasia?
1.Spontaneous regression without therapy
2.Low dose progestin therapy for 3-6months
-combined oral pills once daily
-medroxyprogesterone acetate 10-20mg 12-14days a month/ 10mg daily
-levonorgestrel IUD 20mcg per day.
3.Persistent disease: high dose MPA 40-100mg orally, Megestrol Acetate 160mg once daily, 80mg twice daily.
4.Refractory: hysterectomy
What is the treatment of Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia?
1.Hysterectomy
2.High dose progestin therapy in premenopausal women with future fertility plans e.g. Megestrol Acetate 80mg twice daily.
If medical management was opted
Endometrial biopsy should be taken at least every 3months until 2 consecutive negative biopsies obtained.
What is endometrial cancer?
malignancy originating within the epithelial lining of the uterus
What is the most common endometrial cancer?
Endometroid Adenocarcinoma
-arises in the background of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia.
How is endometrial cancer classified? And how do the two differ
TYPE 1 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
-Endometroid adenocarcinoma (grade 1 and 2)
-Directly related to long term exposure to increased estrogen levels unopposed by progestin
-Referred to as estrogen-dependent neoplasms
-Most common type, making about 80% of all endometrial cancers
-These tumors usually begin as atypical endometrial hyperplasia/ endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia
-Some genetic mutation
TYPE 2 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
-Endometriod adenocarcinoma (grade 3)
-Mostly estrogen independent
-Associated with endometrial atrophy (especially in -postmenopausal women) and polyps
-Genetic predisposition
Which genetic mutation is associated with Endometrial Cancer type 1?
PTEN genetic mutation