Ultrasonographic evaluation of advancement of uterine endometrial carcinoma; comparison with postoperative histological findings
Izumi, Y.; Nakayama, T.; Inui, S.; Kishi, Y.; Aono, T.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 42(10): 1323-1329
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 2230409 Document Number: 354836
Preoperative ultrasonographic examinations of endometrial carcinoma have been performed in 47 patients in Tokushima University Hospital since 1976. The size of intrauterine echo masses, cervical involvement and thickness of uninvolved myometrium were measured by longitudinal and transverse scan. The results were compared with postoperative histological findings. The results were as follows; Endometrial echoes were identified in 94% (44/47). Echogenic masses which were characteristic of endometrial carcinoma were observed in 79% (37/47). The average size of echogenic masses in pT1 carcinoma was significantly smaller than in more advanced cancers (pT2 or more). Especially when the area (longitudinal .times. anteroposterior diameter) of a mass was under 500mm2 and the volume (longitudinal .times. anteroposterior .times. transverse diameter) was under 10,000mm3, the probability of pT1 carcinoma was significantly high. Eighty-seven percent (13/15) of cases with and 81% (22/27) of cases without cervical involvement of endometrial carcinoma were correctly diagnosed by ultrasonography. Extrauterine extension of the tumor was found in 63% (5/8) when the thickness of the uninvolved myometrium measured by ultrasonography was under 3mm, whereas when the thickness was over 3mm, extrauterine extension of the tumor was found in only 19% (5/27). From these data, ultrasonography was effective for the evaluation of the advancement of endometrial carcinoma, especially cervical involvement, myometrial invasion and extrauterine extension.