Path Image
Fundic mass is facing you.
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS

The uterus is bisected and opened, with the fundus at the top of the image facing you. Note the polypoid mass at the fundus, which proved to be FIGO I adenocarcinoma.

The interface between the tumor (light tan) and adenomyosis (swirled bundles underlying the tumor is demonstrated. There is no overt invasion.

This is an example of FIGO Grade 1 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. Note that the glands are well-formed, and this tumor had less than 5% of solid (non-squamous) growth.

This FIGO Grade 2 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma demonstrates less well-formed, compressed glands with a solid component comprising 5-50% of the lesion.

Another image of FIGO Grade 2; this tumor had approximately 40% solid component. Note the necrotic debris inside the glandular lumen, which is a common finding.

This is another tumor with FIGO Grade 2. The glands are poorly formed. The epithelial cells are pleomorphic with somewhat vacuolated cytoplasm.

This FIGO Grade 3 tumor showed greater than 50% solid growth.

Variants of endometrioid adenocarcinoma include squamous differentiation, which is the most common and seen here. Other variants include villoglandular, mucinous and serous differentiation.

Endometrial carcinoma can show mucinous differentiation. Note the blue tinge to the cytoplasm.

Basal vacuoles as seen in the secretory phase of the normal endometrium are seen, consistent with secretory differentation in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

This endometrioid carcinoma is FIGO 3 and shows gross evidence of myometrial invasion.

Note the irregular infiltrative border of the tumor (pale tan) with myometrium on this cross section.

Now, we shall demonstrate a case of FIGO 2 -- an initial endometrial biopsy showed areas of confluent growth (note that if you only saw this field, you might think FIGO 3, but you must take the entire specimen into consideration).

This tumor shows focal squamous differentiation.

ER staining is strongly positive, with negative areas reflecting squamous metaplasia. These tumors are almost always ER positive.

Typical of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, vimentin stained the tumor.

p16 is usually negative in endometrioid adenocarcionma -- in this case, p16 showed focal patchy staining of the glandular cells. p16 can be helpful in distinguishing between endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma (p16 is negative or shows only patchy staining) versus serous endometrial adenocarcinoma (p16 strongly positive) and endocervical carcinomas (p16 strongly positive)(O'Neill).

High power shows the nuclear features of endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Note the pseudostratification and fairly good orientation of the nuclei perpendicular to the basement membrane.

Malignant glandular cells sloughed in a Pap smear.

Comparision chart of type I and type II endometrial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Endometrial carcinomas are divided into two groups, which have different pathogenesis, clinical features, histology and prognostic implications.1,2

Endometrioid endometrial adenocarincomas recapitulate the glandular pattern found in normal endometrium. The epithelial (glandular) cells are larger than those in secretory endometrium and demonstrate mild to moderate pleomorphism. Nucleoli may be prominent -- frequent mitotic figures and apoptotic bodies are found. Foci of necrosis are not uncommon. Stroma is desmoplastic with a variable inflammatory infiltrate.1

The FIGO grading system is based on the amount of solid growth.

Note that for type II (ie. serous) carcinomas, grading is unnecessary as these neoplasms are very aggressive and are automatically managed as grade 3 carcinomas.

Type I endometrial carcinomas spread via direct extension (invasion into myometrium and subsequently through the uterus). Type II endometrial carcinomas have the capacity to spread by tubal or lymphatic channels as evidenced by tumors with little or no stromal invasion but which exhibit extensive peritoneal disease.

CLINICAL

Endometrial adenocarcinoma generally presents with abnormal uterine bleeding. Classically, it was thought to be very rare in women younger than 35 but the epidemic of obesity the world is experiencing has seen more and more positive biopsies in young women.

TREATMENT

Uterine cancers are staged surgically with a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic washings, and pelvic and peri-aortic lymphadenectomy. Depending on recurrence risk, patients may be administered radiation therapy in the form of vaginal cuff brachytherapy or whole pelvic radiation. Several trials using platinum based chemotherapy are underway for treating advanced disease.

PROGNOSIS

Type I endometrial carcinomas are often detected at an early stage and carry a favorable prognosis, often with surgical treatment alone. Type II endometrial carcinomas are more likely to present with metastatic disease and have a higher recurrence risk, harboring a poorer prognosis.

Overall prognosis depends on a combination of clinical stage, histologic grade and type. In grade 3/stage I cancers, the 5-year survival rate drops to 75%, and in stage II or III cancers, the 5-year survival rate is below 50%.1

Note that the overall 5-year survival for type I carcinomas is 85-90%, and 30-70% for type II carcinomas as they are inherently more aggressive tumors with early and extensive extra-ovarian spread.1

PEARLS

There are two major categories of endometrial carcinoma (EC). Type I and type II.

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is the prototype for type I EC, which has unopposed estrogen exposure as a risk factor and hyperplasia as a precursor lesion.

RELATED DIAGNOSES

Endometrium : Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma, Squamous Differentiation

Endometrium : Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma, High Grade

Endometrium : Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma, Squamous Differentiation

Endometrium : Endometrioid adenocarcinoma, Villoglandular Variant

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES

Endometrium : Complex Atypical Hyperplasia

REFERENCES

1 Nucci MR, Oliva Esther. Gynecologic Pathology: Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier: 2009: 240-8.

2 Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005: 1086-1088.

3 O'Neill CJ, McCluggage WG. p16 expression in the female genital tract and its value in diagnosis.

Adv Anat Pathol. 2006 Jan;13(1):8-15.

Santin AD, Bellone S, O'Brien TJ, Pecorelli S, Cannon MJ, Roman JJ. Current treatment options for endometrial cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2004 Aug;4(4):679-89.

Last updated: 2010-10-21
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