Type I and type II endometrial adenocarcinomas: comparative study of ultrasonographic parameters

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare ultrasonographic aspects of type I and II endometrial adenocarcinomas, seeking to identify differences that could predict the likely histological pattern before curettage. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study with 117 women with type I endometrial adenocarcinomas and 17 women with type II, admitted to the Barretos Cancer Hospital,, Barretos, Brazil between February 2007 and December 2009. Patient medical records were reviewed according to standardized form, collecting clinical and histopathologic information in addition to information related to ultrasonographic aspects. Results: The most commonly described ultrasonographic aspect was homogenous myometrium (65.8%), heterogeneous endometrial aspect (66.6%), regular endometrial basal layer (66.6%) and the endometrial cavity not filled by material (51.1%). Myometrial echogenicity proved the only variable in that there was no statistically significant difference, with heterogeneous aspect more frequently found in type II carcinoma (80.0% vs. 27.8%; p=0.039). Conclusions: This study noted few differences between the two groups in reference to ultrasonographic aspects. The only variable that demonstrated statistical significance was myometrial echogenicity. Other studies are necessary for the validation of results presented here