OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of MR imaging in the assessment of invasion depth by endometrial carcinoma.

METHODSData of 122 patients with endometrial carcinoma proved by postoperative pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperatively, all patients underwent conventional and contrast-enhanced MR scan. Compared with the results of pathology, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of different invasion depth determined by MRI were analyzed with SPSS software based on whether the junctional zone was involved or not as the criterion of myometrial invasion.

RESULTS(1) Based on MRI image, the tumor was confined to the endometrium in 17 patients, causing superficial myometrial invasion 60, deep-myometrial invasion 40 and having penetrated the serosa 5. Compared with postoperative pathology results, the incidence of sensitivity, specficity and accuracy of MRI assessment for tumor confined to endometrium was 64.7%, 94.3%, 90.2%, respectively; to superficial myometrial invasion: 64.6%, 82.5%, 70.5%, respectively; to deep-myometrial invasion: 94.4%, 77.9%, 80.3%, respectively; to tumor having penetrated the serosa: 80.0%, 99.1%, 98.4%, respectively. (2) Based on intact junctional zone as the criterion of tumor confined to endometrium, the sensitivity, specficity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value was 92.9%, 67.9%, 73.1%, 43.3%, 97.3%, respectively. Based on the interruption of junctional zone as the criterion of tumor having involved the myometrium, the sensitivity, specficity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value was 67.9%, 92.9%, 73.1%, 97.3%, 43.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMRI is valuable in the assessment of the invasion depth by endometrial carcinoma, and the dose plays an important role for the clinician in selecting proper way of therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Endometrium ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serous Membrane ; pathology

BACKGROUNDEndometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynecological malignancies among women. Early diagnosis and correct preoperative evaluation of myometrial invasion are necessary to improve the prognosis. This study aimed to determine whether features and time-intensity curves (TIC) of transvaginal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) differ from those of conventional ultrasound for endometrial carcinoma, and to further explore the clinical role of transvaginal CEUS in the early diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma.

METHODSForty women with a normal uterus and seventy-nine patients with endometrial carcinoma were examinedby the transvaginal CEUS with SonoVue (Bracco, Imaging B.V, Switzerland). The enhancement patterns and TIC of lesions were analyzed. The results of CEUS were compared with those of conventional ultrasound and pathology.

RESULTSIn the early and late enhanced stages, the intensity of enhancement of the normal endometrium was always lower than that in the myometrium, and the boundary between normal endometrium and myometrium was clear. A total of 65.8% (52/79) of lesions presented with inhomogeneous enhancement, 34.2% (27/79) presented with homogeneous enhancement; 60.8% (48/79) presented with hyperechoic enhancement, 27.8% (22/79) presented with isoechoic enhancement, and 11.4% (9/79) presented with hypoechoic enhancement. The average arrival time, time to peak, rise time, half-wash out time of lesions were shorter than of normal endometrium (P < 0.05). The average peak intensity, relative rise in intensity, half-wash out intensity of lesions were higher than of normal endometrium (P < 0.05). There were 49 (must be and may be present) cases of endometrial carcinoma by ultrasound (US); 24 cases were consistent with pathology results, 16 cases were underestimated and 9 cases were overestimated. There were 72 (must be and may be present) cases of endometrial carcinoma by CEUS; 53 cases were consistent with pathology results, 12 cases were underestimated and 7 cases were overestimated. The qualitative diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma by CEUS was more accurate and definite than that by US (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBy evaluating contrast-enhanced patterns and analyzing TIC, we found that CEUS can increase the accuracy of ultrasound qualitative diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. CEUS shows lesions more clearly than conventional ultrasound, which is an advantage in evaluating the encroachment of endometrial carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Early Diagnosis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic pathological features of endometrial carcinomas present in women under 40 years of age (by curettage samples).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on 20 cases of endometrial carcinomas in women under 40 years of age.

RESULTSThe patients included 18 endometrioid adenocarcinoma cases, one adenosquamous carcinoma case, and one papillary serous carcinoma case. The morphological features of the endometrial adenocarcinoaare loss of polarity (orientation) of the endometrial glands. The tumor cells have large round vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and coarse chromatin. In addition, endometrial stroma was instead of by the fibrous and/or granulation tissue type stroma, usually with inflammatory response. Majority cases of endometrioid adenocarcinomas had superficial invasion of myometrium and no lymph node metastasis. The adenosquamous case metastasized to the ovaries and the papillary serous carcinoma case metastasized to the pelvic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONSEndometrial carcinomas which are highly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinomas occur frequently in women under 40 years of age. An important differential diagnosis of the endometrioid carcinoma in a curettage specimen is to differentiate it from atypical endometrial hyperplasia and atypical polypoid adenomyoma.

Adenomyoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; secondary ; Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of six different approaches for assessing myometrial infiltration using ultrasound in women with carcinoma of the corpus uteri. METHODS: Myometrial infiltration was assessed by two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound in 169 consecutive women with well (G1) or moderately (G2) differentiated endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma. In 74 of these women three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was also performed. Six different techniques for myometrial infiltration assessment were evaluated. The impression of examiner and Karlsson's criteria were assessed prospectively. Endometrial thickness, tumor/uterine 3D volume ratio, tumor distance to myometrial serosa (TDS), and van Holsbeke's subjective model were assessed retrospectively. All subjects underwent surgical staging within 1 week after ultrasound evaluation. Definitive histopathological data regarding myometrial infiltration was used as gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity for all approaches were calculated and compared using McNemar test. RESULTS: The impression of examiner and subjective model performed similarly (sensitivity 79.5% and 80.5%, respectively; specificity 89.6% and 90.3%, respectively). Both methods had significantly better sensitivity than Karlsson's criteria (sensitivity 31.8%, p<0.05) and endometrial thickness (sensitivity 47.7%, p<0.05), and better specificity than tumor/uterine volume ratio (specificity 28.3%, p<0.05) and TDS (specificity 41.5%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Subjective impression seems to be the best approach for assessing myometrial infiltration in G1 or G2 endometrioid type endometrial cancer by transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound. The use of mathematical models and other objective 2D and 3D measurement techniques do not improve diagnostic performance.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology/*ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Myometrium/pathology/ultrasonography ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes of 2009 FIGO staging system compared with the 1988 FIGO staging system of endometrial carcinoma and evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI staging by the 2009 FIGO criteria.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 63 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma who were treated by surgery initially from January to December 2009. The diagnostic value of preoperative MRI by the 2009 FIGO staging system was compared with that using the 1988 FIGO system, respectively.

RESULTSAccording to the 2009 FIGO staging system of endometrial carcinoma, stage Ia was defined as no or less than half myometrial invasion, which included stage Ia (confined to endometrium) and stage Ib (invasion less than half of the myometrium) of the 1988 FIGO staging system. Stage Ib assessed by the 2009 FIGO system was the same as the stage Ic of 1988 FIGO system, indicating the lesions more than half myometrial invasion. Endocervical glandular involvement only (stage IIa of 1988 FIGO system) was classified as stage I. Positive cytology of ascites (stage IIIa of 1988 FIGO system) was excluded by the 2009 FIGO criteria. Using the 1988 FIGO system, the accuracy of MRI for the evaluation of endometrial carcinoma of stage Ia, Ib, Ic, whole stage I, IIa, IIb, whole stage II, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, whole stage III and IVb were 95.2%, 79.4%, 81.0%, 84.1%, 96.8%, 90.5%, 90.5%, 92.1%, 98.4%, 92.1%, 82.5%, and 98.4%, respectively, while using the 2009 FIGO system, the accuracy of MRI of stage Ia, Ib, whole stage I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, whole stage III and IVb were 88.9%, 81.0%, 88.9%, 92.1%, 98.4%, 98.4%, 92.1%, 88.9% and 98.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe 2009 FIGO staging system is simplified on the basis of the 1988 FIGO system. It gives an improved accuracy of MRI in evaluating the stage I to III endometrial carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; International Agencies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Preoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore one of evidence for pathologic diagnosis of early myocardial ischaemia. METHODS: Rats were ligated of the left coronary artery according to a previously documented technique, and heart tissue was sampled at different ischaemia time. The expression of CX43 in myocardial cell was detected by Immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: It is showed that the distribution and amount of CX43 positive staining in each group of the myocardial ischaemia was different from that of the control group. CONCLUSION The changes of CX43 detected by Immunohistochemical methods may be helpful for the diagnosis of early myocardial ischaemia, but further pathologic investigation and research is necessary.
Animals ; Connexin 43/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Forensic Pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia/pathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Myometrium/pathology* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features of intermediate trophoblastic non-tumor lesions, and to evaluate the position of immunohistochemistry in differential diagnoses.

METHODSClinical presentation and morphological study of 15 cases of exaggerated placental site (EPS) and 4 cases of placental site nodule or plaque (PSNP) were reviewed. Immunohistochemical stains for hCG, hPL, inhibin-alpha, PLAP, CK18 and Ki-67 were performed.

RESULTSThe age of patients ranged from 25 to 40 years with an average of 31.5 years for EPS and 26 to 39 years with an average of 34.3 years for PSNP. Microscopically, EPS was characterized by cords and small sheets of implantation site intermediate trophoblasts infiltrating the endometrium, myometrium and arterial walls. The general histological structures of the endometrium and myometrium were preserved. PSNP was characterized by multiple circumscribed nodular lesions consisting of so-called chorionic-type intermediate trophoblasts and hyaline-like matrix present in the endometrium. Immunohistochemical stainings for hPL and CK18 were positive in the 15 EPS cases. Immunoreactivity for CK18, Inhibin-alpha and PLAP was detected in 4 PSNP cases. The Ki-67 labeling index in 15 EPS cases was low (< or = 5%), while Ki-67 index in 4 PSNP cases was close to 0.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical presentation and pathological features of EPS and PSNP differ from those of trophoblastic tumors (placental site trophoblastic tumor, epithelioid trophoblastic tumor and choriocarcinoma). Immunochemical staining is of great value in their differential diagnoses.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endometrium ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Inhibins ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Placenta ; metabolism ; pathology ; Placenta Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Placental Lactogen ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Trophoblastic Tumor, Placental Site ; pathology ; Trophoblasts ; pathology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in uterine cervical cancer and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in diagnosis and predicting treatment response.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with advanced primary cervical cancer confirmed by pathology and 10 cases of normal uterine cervix as control were recruited in this prospective clinical trial. To analyze the correlation between tumor volume measured in DWI and tumor maximum diameter measured according to the RECIST criteria. To compare the ADC value differences among the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium, and normal uterine cervix. To compare the ADC values in 17 cancer patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe illustration of tumor boundary in DWI was superior to conventional T2WI and post-enhancement T1WI. The DWI with higher b value (2000 s/mm(2)) had a better signal-to-noise ratio. The tumor volume measured in DWI has good correlation with tumor maximum diameter according to RECIST criteria (r = 0.759, P < 0.01). When b = 800 s/mm(2), the ADC values of the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium, and normal uterine cervix were (9.85 ± 1.55)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, (14.20 ± 2.80)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, and (14.14 ± 0.45) ×10(-3) mm(2)/s. When b = 2000 s/mm(2), the ADC values of the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium and normal uterine cervix were (7.38 ± 0.98)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, (8.52 ± 2.38)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, and (8.60 ± 0.63)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. There were significant differences between the cervical cancer and normal cervix or uterine myometrium (P < 0.001 for both). When b = 800 s/mm(2), the ADC value was (9.85 ± 1.55)×110(-3) mm(2)/s before and (13.41 ± 2.93)×10(-3) mm(2)/s after treatment (P < 0.001). When b = 2000 s/mm(2), the ADC value was (7.38 ± 0.98)×10(-3) mm(2)/s before and (8.93 ± 1.92)×10(-3) mm(2)/s after treatment (P = 0.008). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that 25% ADC, 50%ADC, and 75%ADC in the tumor ADC value histogram before treatment were significantly correlated to the treatment outcome of cervical cancer (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate regression analysis showed that 25%ADC, 50%ADC, and 75%ADC in the tumor ADC value histogram before treatment were not significantly correlated to the treatment outcome of cervical cancer (P > 0.05 for all). The values of ROC curves were 25%ADC = 0.818, 50%ADC = 0.775, and 75%ADC = 0.716 (P > 0.05), however, the 25% ADC showed a relatively stronger statistical power.

CONCLUSIONSDWI helps to confirm the morphology and exact target zone of the tumor for radiotherapy. DWI volume measurement is well correlated with RECIST criteria, particularly in volume measurement of irregular tumors. ADC value has a potential in quantitatively monitoring treatment response and predicting outcome of cervical cancers.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervix Uteri ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) or micrometastasis (MM) in regional lymph nodes in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to II endometrial cancer. METHODS: In this study, a series of 63 patients with FIGO stage I to II were included, who had at least one of the following risk factors for recurrence: G3 endometrioid/serous/clear cell adenocarcinomas, deep myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, lympho-vascular space invasion, and positive peritoneal cytology. These cases were classified as intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. Ultrastaging by multiple slicing, staining with hematoxylin and eosin and cytokeratin, and microscopic examination was performed on regional lymph nodes that had been diagnosed as negative for metastases. RESULTS: Among 61 patients in whom paraffin-embedded block was available, ITC/MM was identified in nine patients (14.8%). Deep myometrial invasion was significantly associated with ITC/MM (p=0.028). ITC/MM was an independent risk factor for extrapelvic recurrence (hazard ratio, 17.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 232.2). The 8-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were more than 20% lower in the ITC/MM group than in the node-negative group (OS, 71.4% vs. 91.9%; RFS, 55.6% vs. 84.0%), which were statistically not significant (OS, p=0.074; RFS, p=0.066). Time to recurrence tended to be longer in the ITC/MM group than in the node-negative group (median, 49 months vs. 16.5 months; p=0.080). CONCLUSIONS: It remains unclear whether ITC/MM have an adverse influence on prognosis of intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. A multicenter cooperative study is needed to clarify the clinical significance of ITC/MM.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/*secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endometrial Neoplasms/*pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium/pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis/*pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo probe into the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, as well as treatment of pregnancy on the cicatrix of a previous cesarean section at the uterine isthmus in the first trimester.

METHODSAnalysis of 14 patients with pregnancy on the cicatrix of a previous cesarean section at the uterine isthmus in the first trimester was made after conservative treatment by drugs from January 1996 to December 1999.

RESULTSThe 14 patients with a pregnancy on the cicatrix of a previous cesarean section at the uterine isthmus in the first trimester were painless, had slight vaginal bleeding, and concurrently had increased serum beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG). Doppler ultrasonic examination revealed an obvious enlargement of the previous cesarean section cicatrix in the uterine isthmus, and found a gestational sac or mixed mass attached to the cicatrice, with a very thin myometrium between the gestational sac and bladder walls. Among the 14 patients, 12 patients had crystalline trichosanthes injected into the cervix, mifepristone taken orally, or methotrexate in the form of intramuscular injection. Following this procedure, their serum beta-HCG dropped to normal. The other 2 patients had a total hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONSPregnancy on the cicatrix of a previous cesarean section at the uterine isthmus in the first trimester is a complication of cesarean section. Early diagnosis and effective conservative treatment by drugs are instrumental in decreasing the potential occurrence of uterine rupture, which is also conducive to preserving the patient's future fertility.

Adult ; Cesarean Section ; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human ; blood ; drug effects ; Cicatrix ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Mifepristone ; therapeutic use ; Myometrium ; diagnostic imaging ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Trichosanthes ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Rupture ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Uterus ; diagnostic imaging