Abstract

The objective of this study was to report the value of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy for the detection of complex atypical hyperplasia or cancer in asymptomatic human non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of hysteroscopy, using endometrial biopsy as a gold standard. Consecutive patients at risk of HNPCC evaluated between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2006 were included if they underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy at least once. Patients with a history of hysterectomy and those unwilling to undergo diagnostic hysteroscopy were not included. Yearly follow-up evaluations included diagnostic hysteroscopy, with endometrial biopsy. Hysteroscopic and histologic findings were recorded and compared. We included 62 patients, of whom 13 had mismatch repair gene mutations and 49 met Amsterdam II criteria. Of 125 attempted hysteroscopies, 11 (8%) failed. Hysteroscopy showed normally appearing mucosa in 46 cases, nonmalignant lesions in 65 cases, and possibly malignant lesions in 3 cases with abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial biopsy was attempted in 116 cases and failed in 12 (10%). Three cases each of simple hyperplasia and of cancer were diagnosed. No preinvasive or invasive lesions were found in asymptomatic women. When compared to endometrial biopsy, sensitivity of hysteroscopy was 100% for the detection of hyperplasia or cancer. No cases of cancer were diagnosed in asymptomatic patients in our study. However, diagnostic hysteroscopy ensured the diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma in HNPCC women with bleeding. Nevertheless, usefulness and optimal modalities of screening remain to be determined.