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Asymptomatic endometrial carcinoma after endometrial ablation
Author(s) -
Margolis M.T,
Thoen L.D,
Boike G.M,
Mercer L.J,
Keith L.G
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(95)80022-0
Subject(s) - medicine , endometrial cancer , dysfunctional uterine bleeding , endometrial ablation , hysterectomy , asymptomatic , carcinoma , gynecology , occult , adenocarcinoma , endometrium , cancer , surgery , obstetrics , pathology , alternative medicine
Endometrial ablation has been recently introduced as a surgical alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The procedure itself is reasonably safe. However, if occult endometrial cancer is present before the procedure and is not detected, it may be more difficult to diagnose later. Endometrial cancer may also arise de novo from endometrial tissue. Two cases of endometrial cancer following endometrial ablation have been reported, but its overall incidence is unknown. A 58‐year‐old woman was treated with endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Three years later she underwent hysterectomy and Marshall‐Marchetti‐Krantz procedure for urinary incontinence; incidental, asymptomatic endometrial adenocarcinoma was discovered. The final pathology was grade 1 adenocarcinoma, invading more than 50% of the myometrium (FIGO stage Ic). Endometrial cancer may occur following endometrial ablation and it may be asymptomatic. Careful patient selection and close follow‐up are essential.