Study of Endometrial Hyperplasia Progression
This is a case-control study nested within a retrospective cohort of approximately 8,000 women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia from 1970-2002 in a pre-paid health plan. The goal is to define risks of progression for histological categories of endometrial hyperplasia, the precursor of typical forms of endometrial carcinoma, and to validate candidate molecular pathological prognostic markers to assess risk of subsequent carcinoma.
Cases included 138 women with pathology panel confirmed endometrial hyperplasia who progressed to carcinoma. Controls consisted of 241 women with pathology confirmed endometrial hyperplasia matched on age, date of diagnosis, and duration of follow-up and counter-matched on severity of hyperplasia. The study includes basic data related to patient characteristics and treatment and multiple tissues from initial and repeat biopsies. A tissue microarray has been prepared from the endometrial cancer tissues. Current activities are focusing on validating biomarkers in endometrial hyperplasia that predict risk of progression to cancer, including immunohistochemical stains and molecular assays.
Study Findings
The study has shown that the risk of progression among women with atypical hyperplasia, the most severe form, is 8% through four years, rising to 28% through 19 years of follow-up. Non-atypical forms of endometrial hyperplasia were far less likely to progress than atypical hyperplasia.
For more information, contact Megan Clarke.