Serous ovarian cancer is suggested to develop from epithelium embryologically derived from the Mü llerian ducts. The aim of the current study is to thoroughly, analyze the epithelium derived from the Mü llerian ducts (cervix, endometrium and fallopian tubes) in serous ovarian cancer patients. Sixty women diagnosed with serous ovarian carcinoma were included in this multicentre, observational study. Tissues were embedded completely for histological assessment, in accordance with the SEE-Fim and SEE-End protocol (Sectioning and Extensively Examining of the Fimbriated end; and-Endometrium), and prevalence of cervical, as well as endometrial and tubal pathology was analyzed. In 31 (52%) cases, a pathologic lesion was identified, and in 16 (27%) of these cases coexistence of pathologic lesions. In 1 case, severe dysplasia was found in the cervix, in 9 (15%) cases endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma, in 19 (32%) cases atypical hyperplasia, and in 23 (43%) cases serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma. Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma was seen significantly more often concurrent with endometrial atypical hyperplasia or endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma than with benign endometrium (64 vs 28%; P ¼ 0.01). To conclude, histological assessment of epithelium derived from Mü llerian ducts of serous ovarian cancer patients resulted in the identification of endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma and/or endometrial atypical hyperplasia in more than half of cases. Coexistence of these pathologic lesions was common, and might represent an effect of field carcinogenesis or tumor implantation of migrating cells.
BackgroundEndometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecologic malignancy in industrialised countries and the incidence is still rising. Primary treatment is based on preoperative risk classification and consists in most cases of hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. In patients with serous and clear cell histology a complete surgical staging is mandatory. However, in routine clinical practice final histology regularly does not correspond with the preoperative histological diagnosis. This results in both over and under treatment.Methods/DesignThe aim of this multicentre, prospective cohort study is to select a panel of prognostic biomarkers to improve preoperative diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma in order to identify those patients that need extended surgery and/or additional treatment. Additionally, we will determine whether incorporation of cervical cytology and comorbidity could improve this preoperative risk classification. All patients treated for endometrial carcinoma in the participating hospitals from September 2011 till December 2013 are included. Patient characteristics, as well as comorbidity are registered. Patients without preoperative histology, history of hysterectomy and/or endometrial carcinoma or no surgical treatment including hysterectomy are excluded. The preoperative histology and final pathology will be reviewed and compared by expert pathologists. Additional immunohistochemical analysis of IMP3, p53, ER, PR, MLH1, PTEN, beta-catenin, p16, Ki-67, stathmin, ARID1A and L1CAM will be performed. Preoperative histology will be compared with the final pathology results. Follow-up will be at least 24 months to determine risk factors for recurrence and outcome.DiscussionThis study is designed to improve surgical treatment of endometrial carcinoma patients. A total of 432 endometrial carcinoma patients were enrolled between 2011 and 2013. Follow-up will be completed in 2015. Preoperative histology will be evaluated systematically and background endometrium will be classified. This is the first study incorporating immunohistochemistry, cervical cytology and comorbidity to define the optimal panel of prognostic biomarkers that contribute in clinical decision making in the management of endometrial carcinoma.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register number NTR3503
Apart from synchronous endometrial carcinoma, endometrial premalignancies should be taken into account when determining optimal treatment for women diagnosed with EOC.
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