How Often Are Endometrial Polyps Malignant?
- 1 November 2004
- journal article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
- Vol. 58 (4), 212-215
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000080189
Abstract
Objective: Endometrial polyps are a frequent pathology encountered during pelvic sonography and diagnostic hysteroscopies. The true incidence of malignant endometrial polyps is unknown. The estimations range from 0.5 to 4.8%. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of malignant endometrial polyps, and to characterize the hysteroscopic image of these polyps. Methods: The study included 300 consecutive women with endometrial polyps who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy. Patients’ characteristics, operative findings, and pathology reports were analyzed. Results: Four of the 300 endometrial polyps removed by operative hysteroscopy were malignant (1.3%). Patients with malignant polyps were symptomatic peri- or postmenopausal women. All asymptomatic polyps in this series were found to be benign. We could not identify any distinct hysteroscopic feature of malignancy. Conclusions: Our study shows that about 1.5% of endometrial polyps may be malignant. This finding reinforces the indication for removal of symptomatic endometrial polyps, preferably by a hysteroscopic procedure. The significance of asymptomatic uterine polyps has still to be determined.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- Histopathologic features and risk factors for benignity, hyperplasia, and cancer in endometrial polypsAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2003
- Role of operative hysteroscopy in the removal of endometrial polypsThe Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, 2002
- Natural history of uterine polyps and leiomyomataObstetrics & Gynecology, 2002
- Current practice for the treatment of benign intrauterine polyps: a national questionnaire survey of consultant gynaecologists in UKEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2002
- Role of hysteroscopy in detection and extraction of endometrial polyps: Results of a prospective studyAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2001
- Treatment of endometrial polypsObstetrics & Gynecology, 2000
- Hysteroscopic management of endometrial polypsObstetrics & Gynecology, 2000
- The risk of premalignant and malignant pathology in endometrial polypsActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2000
- 2500 Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopiesObstetrics & Gynecology, 1996
- Uncommon Forms of Genital TuberculosisObstetrics & Gynecology, 1962