title: Endometrial atypical (bizarre) stromal cells: a potential diagnostic pitfall in biopsy.
abstract: Atypical stromal cells (ASCs) may be detected in endometrial polyps and, more rarely, in normal endometrium. Owing to their worrisome cytological features, these cells may represent a potential diagnostic pitfall and are often misinterpreted as malignant, particularly in biopsy samples. We report on ASCs in proliferative phase endometrium of a woman who underwent biopsy for vaginal bleeding. Morphological and immunohistochemical features are discussed in detail. The differential diagnosis to endometrial malignant tumors containing atypical mesenchymal cells is provided.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento G.F. Ingrassia, Anatomia Patologica, Università di Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lo Monaco
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puzzo
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brancato
authors.forename: Antonina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torrisi
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magro
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology