Surveillance for endometrial cancer in women on tamoxifen: the role of liquid-based endometrial cytology - cytohistological correlation in a population of 168 women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of liquid-based cytology for endometrial surveillance in patients receiving tamoxifen.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-eight women scheduled for hysteroscopy were enrolled in the study. The women sequentially underwent hysteroscopy, endometrial cytology and biopsy.


RESULTS
Endometrial biopsy only was inadequate in 112 (67%) patients, both endometrial biopsy and cytology were inadequate in 19 (11%) patients, endometrial cytology only was inadequate in 4 (2%) patients, and both endometrial biopsy and cytology were adequate in 33 (20%) patients. Overall, endometrial biopsy was inadequate in 131 (78%) patients and endometrial cytology in 23 (14%) patients. Endometrial cytology provided sufficient material for diagnosis more often than endometrial biopsy (p < 0.05). In the series of 33 patients (20%) in whom both endometrial cytology and biopsy were adequate, there was a 100% correlation between the endometrial cytology and biopsy results.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, this study shows the diagnostic efficacy of liquid-based endometrial cytology in the follow-up of women receiving tamoxifen. It could be applied solely or in conjunction with ultrasonography.
Buccoliero
Anna Maria
AM
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. ambuccoliero@unifi.it
Fambrini
Massimiliano
M
Gheri
Chiara Francesca
CF
Castiglione
Francesca
F
Garbini
Francesca
F
Barbetti
Alfredo
A
Rossi Degl'Innocenti
Duccio
D
Moncini
Daniela
D
Taddei
Antonio
A
Bargelli
Gianni
G
Scarselli
Gianfranco
G
Marchionni
Mauro
M
Taddei
Gian Luigi
GL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen