title: False-positive malignant peritoneal cytology associated with pelvic endometriosis.
abstract: The peritoneal washings obtained at diagnostic laparoscopy of two women with suspected endometriosis contained cells with cytologic features of adenocarcinoma. Exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and pelvic washings confirmed endometriosis with no evidence of cancer. At 1.5-year and 4.0-year follow-up, respectively, cancer had not developed in either patient. The authors report what they were able to find in the literature regarding false-positive assessments of malignancy obtained by cytologic examination. They also outline steps to be taken should a diagnosis of malignancy arise in a woman with endometriosis who desires pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9230.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Markuly
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fanning
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hindman
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ertmoed
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hilgers
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests