title: Combining endometrium sampling device and SurePath preparation to screen for endometrial carcinoma: a validation study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare specimen adequacy of SAP-1 provided for cytology with that of dilation and curettage (D & C) or hysteroscopy for histology, and evaluate the accuracy of combining endometrium sampling by SAP-1 and liquid-based cytology using SurePath preparation for screening endometrial carcinoma and its precursor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial specimens from women (n = 1514) with risk factors were obtained using an SAP-1 device for cytological analysis; histological samples were obtained from 375 of these women who underwent D & C or hysteroscopy. Cytological specimens were prepared to liquid-based smear using SurePath technology and stained by Papanicolaou. Histological samples were processed in routine pathology and stained by hematoxylin and eosin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adequate specimens for cytology were obtained from 1458/1541 patients (96.3%), while adequate samples for pathology were obtained from 285/375 patients (76%). However, for postmenopausal women, 1006 of 1045 cytology (86.3%) were adequate, 153 of 238 histology (64.3%) were adequate, it was easier to collect cytological specimens than histological specimens (P < 0.05). The accuracy of endometrial cytology for detecting endometrial carcinoma and its precursor was 92.4% (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 95.8%; positive predictive value, 75%; and negative predictive value, 95.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endometrial cytology using SAP-1 sampling and SurePath preparation may be a reliable approach for screening patients with endometrial carcinoma and its precursor.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Qin-Ping
authors.initials: QP
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods