Management of abnormal uterine bleeding and the pathology of endometrial hyperplasia.
There are no screening tests for endometrial carcinoma, and patients typically present with abnormal uterine bleeding. This article discusses the pathophysiology and clinical work-up of abnormal uterine bleeding, and risk factors for endometrial carcinoma. Atypical complex hyperplasia and the more recently defined endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia are well recognized as precancers. Evolving knowledge of their genetic alterations provides the opportunity to develop molecular markers, so that endometrial diseases may be diagnosed at the precancerous or early invasive stage. Emerging molecular markers also provide the opportunity to develop clinically useful screening tests for the most common malignancy of the female genital tract.
Espindola
Dana
D
Basic Medical Sciences Building, Room 249, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Kennedy
Kathleen A
KA
Fischer
Edgar G
EG
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions; D012307:Risk Factors; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor