Prediction of cervical involvement in endometrial cancer by hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the ability of hysteroscopy to preoperatively predict cervical involvement in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

The records of 110 surgically staged consecutive endometrial cancer patients treated at our institution from 1997 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Data on demographics, preoperative staging procedures, surgical pathology reports, and adjuvant treatments were retrieved.

RESULTS

Fourteen (12.7%) patients had cervical involvement (stage II) according to the surgical pathology report, of whom nine (8.1%) had stage IIA and five (4.6%) had stage IIB. Clinical evaluation by speculoscopy and palpation had failed to reveal any indication of cervical involvement. Preoperative diagnostic hysteroscopy procedures were included. None of the hysteroscopy procedures revealed any suspicious lesion in the cervical canal.

CONCLUSION

Hysteroscopy and clinical examination fail to adequately predict cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma. Fractional D&C appears to be the best method until a more effective alternative becomes available.