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McCoy CA, Coleman HG, McShane CM, McCluggage WG, Wylie J, Quinn D, McMenamin ÚC. Factors associated with interobserver variation amongst pathologists in the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia: A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302252. [PMID: 38683770 PMCID: PMC11057740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reproducible diagnoses of endometrial hyperplasia (EH) remains challenging and has potential implications for patient management. This systematic review aimed to identify pathologist-specific factors associated with interobserver variation in the diagnosis and reporting of EH. METHODS Three electronic databases, namely MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science, were searched from 1st January 2000 to 25th March 2023, using relevant key words and subject headings. Eligible studies reported on pathologist-specific factors or working practices influencing interobserver variation in the diagnosis of EH, using either the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2014 or 2020 classification or the endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) classification system. Quality assessment was undertaken using the QUADAS-2 tool, and findings were narratively synthesised. RESULTS Eight studies were identified. Interobserver variation was shown to be significant even amongst specialist gynaecological pathologists in most studies. Few studies investigated pathologist-specific characteristics, but pathologists were shown to have different diagnostic styles, with some more likely to under-diagnose and others likely to over-diagnose EH. Some novel working practices were identified, such as grading the "degree" of nuclear atypia and the incorporation of objective methods of diagnosis such as semi-automated quantitative image analysis/deep learning models. CONCLUSIONS This review highlighted the impact of pathologist-specific factors and working practices in the accurate diagnosis of EH, although few studies have been conducted. Further research is warranted in the development of more objective criteria that could improve reproducibility in EH diagnostic reporting, as well as determining the applicability of novel methods such as grading the degree of nuclear atypia in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A. McCoy
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Helen G. Coleman
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Charlene M. McShane
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - W. Glenn McCluggage
- Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - James Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Declan Quinn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Úna C. McMenamin
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Vitale SG, Buzzaccarini G, Riemma G, Pacheco LA, Sardo ADS, Carugno J, Chiantera V, Török P, Noventa M, Haimovich S, De Franciscis P, Perez-Medina T, Angioni S, Laganà AS. Endometrial Biopsy: Indications, Techniques and Recommendations. An Evidence-Based Guideline for Clinical Practice. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2023; 52:102588. [PMID: 37061093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
This practice guideline provides updated evidence for the gynecologist who performs endometrial biopsy (EB) in gynecologic clinical practice. An international committee of gynecology experts developed the recommendations according to AGREE Reporting Guideline. An adequate tissue sampling is mandatory when performing an EB. Blind methods should not be first choice in patients with suspected endometrial malignancy. Hysteroscopy is the targeted-biopsy method with highest diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Blind suction techniques are not reliable for the diagnosis of endometrial polyps. In low resources settings, and in absence of the capacity to perform office hysteroscopy, blind techniques could be used for EB. Hysteroscopic punch biopsy allows to collect only limited amount of endometrial tissue. grasp biopsy technique should be considered first choice in reproductive aged women, bipolar electrode chip biopsy should be preferred with hypotrophic or atrophic endometrium. EB is required for the final diagnosis of chronic endometritis. There is no consensus regarding which endometrial thickness cut-off should be used for recommending EB in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. EB should be offered to young women with abnormal uterine bleeding and risk factors for endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial pathology should be excluded with EB in nonobese women with unopposed hyperestrogenism. Hysteroscopy with EB is useful in patients with abnormal bleeding even without sonographic evidence of pathology. EB has high sensitivity for detecting intrauterine pathologies. In postmenopausal women with uterine bleeding, EB is recommended. Women with sonographic endometrial thickness > 4mm using tamoxifen should undergo hysteroscopic EB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni Vitale
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Buzzaccarini
- Gynaecologic and Obstetrics Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gaetano Riemma
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy.
| | - Luis Alonso Pacheco
- Unidad de Endoscopia Ginecológica, Centro Gutenberg, Hospital Xanit Internacional, Málaga, Spain
| | - Attilio Di Spiezio Sardo
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jose Carugno
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Minimally Invasive Gynecology Division, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Vito Chiantera
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS "Civico - Di Cristina - Benfratelli", Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Peter Török
- University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - Marco Noventa
- Gynaecologic and Obstetrics Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sergio Haimovich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laniado University Hospital, Netanya, Israel and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Pasquale De Franciscis
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Tirso Perez-Medina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Autonoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefano Angioni
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS "Civico - Di Cristina - Benfratelli", Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Grossly unremarkable cervix in endometrial carcinomas: lymphovascular space invasion and microcystic elongated and fragmented pattern may be associated with high incidence of cervical stromal involvement. Hum Pathol 2021; 113:59-66. [PMID: 33933559 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Accurate staging of endometrial carcinoma is crucial to optimize patients' care. A pivotal parameter that pathologists evaluate to guide staging is the presence of cervical stromal involvement. However, the standard protocol for adequate sampling of the cervix is lacking. A total of 71 grossly unremarkable cervices in hysterectomy specimens with endometrial carcinomas have been studied. Sixty-three (89.7%), five (7.0%), and three (4.2%) were FIGO stage I, II, and III, respectively. Of 71 (8.5%) cases, 6 cases had cervical stromal involvement, among which, 4 (67%) showed endometrioid carcinoma (EC), 1 case of serous carcinoma, and 1 carcinosarcoma. Microcystic elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern was identified in 12 (16.9%) cases, among which 11 were EC. The presence of MELF pattern was associated with advanced age, deeper myometrial invasion, and advanced FIGO stage. Tumors with lower uterine segment involvement (5/6; 80%), lymphovascular space invasion (4/6; 67%), and MELF pattern (3/6; 50.0%) tended to have cervical stromal involvement. Thus, we provide evidence that the presence of these features in hysterectomy specimens from patients with endometrial carcinoma may warrant extended sampling of the cervix while submitting four representative sections (one section from each quadrant) seems adequate to evaluate for occult cervical stromal involvement in grossly unremarkable cervices in the absence of these features.
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