Hysteroscopic resection of symptomatic and asymptomatic endometrial polyps

Abstract

Study objective: To estimate the occurrence of malignancy and atypical hyperplasia in endometrial polyps in patients with and without symptoms.

Design: Retrospective registration of all patients who underwent hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps. Age, menopausal status, presence or absence of symptoms, any use of hormonal medication, as well as histologic diagnosis, complications, and eventual repeated surgery were documented (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

Setting: Ullevaal University Hospital, Department of Gynecology.

Patients: All patients who underwent hysteroscopic resection of an endometrial polyp in our department from January 1, 2001 through March 1, 2005.

Interventions: Hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps.

Measurements and main results: Four hundred eleven patients were included. One hundred twenty-nine patients (31.4%) had no symptoms. The prevalence of malignancy or atypical hyperplasia was 3.2% in women with symptoms and 3.9% in those without symptoms.

Conclusion: The prevalence of malignancy and atypical hyperplasia was found to be relatively high, indicating that symptomatic, as well as asymptomatic, endometrial polyps should be removed.