What is endometrial atypia?
Atypical endometrial hyperplasia is a pre-cancerous condition associated with an abnormally thick tissue on the inside of the endometrium. It is considered a pre-cancerous condition because it can turn into a type of cancer called endometrioid carcinoma if left untreated.
What is a focal endometrial lesion?
Focal endometrial lesion: endometrial polyp. Sonohysterogram of a patient with postmenopausal bleeding reveals a well-marginated, polypoid mass projecting into the endometrial cavity (white arrow). The remaining endometrium is thin and homogeneous (black arrow), indicating the presence of a focal endometrial lesion.
What causes atypical endometrial cells?
Atypical endometrial hyperplasia develops when the female hormones, called estrogen and progesterone, are out of balance, and the endometrium is exposed to somewhat more estrogen than progesterone. This is called unopposed estrogen. Several things can cause this imbalance, including: hormone changes during menopause.
Is endometrial hyperplasia with atypia cancer?
(1) Endometrial hyperplasia with atypia is the least common type of hyperplasia, but is the type most likely to progress to type 1 endometrial carcinoma (1-3) which accounts for 97% of uterine cancers, whereas simple hyperplasia rarely progresses to carcinoma.
What is the best treatment for endometrial hyperplasia?
The most common treatment is progestin. This can be taken in several forms, including pill, shot, vaginal cream, or intrauterine device. Atypical types of endometrial hyperplasia, especially complex, increase your risk of getting cancer. If you have these types, you might consider a hysterectomy.
Should I have a hysterectomy for endometrial hyperplasia?
If you have atypical endometrial hyperplasia, your specialist will probably recommend you have a hysterectomy. This is an operation to remove the womb. This is to prevent you developing a cancer of the lining of the womb.
Should I worry about uterine polyps?
ANSWER: It is rare for uterine polyps to be cancerous. If they aren’t causing problems, monitoring the polyps over time is a reasonable approach. If you develop symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding, however, then the polyps should be removed and evaluated to confirm that there is no evidence of cancer.
What is the treatment for endometrial hyperplasia?
In many cases, endometrial hyperplasia can be treated with progestin. Progestin is given orally, in a shot, in an intrauterine device (IUD), or as a vaginal cream. How much and how long you take it depends on your age and the type of hyperplasia. Treatment with progestin may cause vaginal bleeding like a period.
Can atypical endometrial hyperplasia go away on its own?
Detect and treat endometrial hyperplasia early. Endometrial hyperplasia is an increased growth of the endometrium. Unlike a cancer, mild or simple hyperplasia can go away on its own or with hormonal treatment.
How long does it take for atypical endometrial hyperplasia to turn into cancer?
Atypical hyperplasia can turn into cancer of the womb. 20 years after diagnosis, around 28 out of every 100 women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia will develop cancer of the womb.
What is the treatment for simple hyperplasia without atypia?
Treatment options for endometrial hyperplasia without atypia Treatment options vary for this condition include oral progestins and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Your doctor will probably also suggest a follow-up endometrial biopsy. For more information about treatment options, please speak to your doctor.
Is endometrial hyperplasia serious?
When the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, becomes too thick, it is called endometrial hyperplasia. This condition is not cancer, but in some cases, it can lead to cancer of the uterus.
Are there ultrasound features that suggest endometrial hyperplasia?
Ultrasound features that are suggestive of endometrial carcinoma as opposed to hyperplasia include 13: Up to one-third of endometrial carcinoma is believed to be preceded by endometrial hyperplasia, therefore a biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of atypical endometrial hyperplasia?
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition that causes abnormal uterine bleeding. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Many women find relief through progestin hormone treatments. Women who have atypical endometrial hyperplasia have a higher risk of developing uterine cancer.
Can you tell if you have endometrial cancer from sonohysterography?
The most common appearance of endometrial cancer at transvaginal US is nonspecific thickening of the endometrium. Even at sonohysterography, endometrial cancer can be difficult to distinguish from endometrial hyperplasia and polyps.
What’s the difference between FOCAL and diffuse endometrial lesions?
Focal lesions are defined as lesions occupying less than 25% of the endometrial surface area (, Fig 1 ), and diffuse lesions involve a larger percentage of the endometrial surface area (, Fig 2 ).