PIPELLE ENDOMETRIAL SAMPLING - SENSITIVITY IN THE DETECTION OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity of the Pipelle endometrial suction curette in the detection of endometrial carcinoma in patients with known endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: A study was conducted using patients with known endometrial cancer undergoing a hysterectomy as part of a formal staging procedure. Endometrial biopsies were performed prior to each surgical procedure. Biopsy results were compared to the hysterectomy specimen for specimen adeqancy and final histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The Pipelle biopsy was adequate for analysis in 63 of 65 patients (97%). Malignancy tons detected by biopsy in 54 of 65 patients, for a sensitivity of 83 +/- 5% (mean +/- SD). Of the 11 patients with false negative results, 5 had tumours present in only an endometrial polyp. Three of the 11 patients had disease localized to < 5% of the surface area of the endometrium. CONCLUSION: The Pipelle endometrial suction curette is an effective office device for evaluating patients at risk of endometrial cancer; however, tumors localized to a polyp or small area of endometrium may go undetected.