TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHY OF MYOMETRIAL INVASION DEPTH IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

The myometrial invasion depth of endometrial cancer is an important pr ognostic factor. The preoperative assessment is decisive for the appro priate surgical treatment. In 96 patients with endometrial cancer, the myometrial invasion depth (greater than 50% or less than 50%) was mea sured preoperatively using transvaginal sonography (TVS). The sonograp hic results were compared to the histopathological findings. A sensiti vity of 93% was obtained for invasion depths greater than 50%. The pre dictive value of an invasion depth less than 50% was 93% as well. In 1 6% of the cases the invasion depth was overestimated while, in only 3% it was underestimated. The diagnostic accuracy was 81%. Forty-five pa tients were examined preceding a diagnostic dilatation and curettage a nd fifty-one were examined following a diagnostic dilatation and curet tage. The diagnostic accuracy in both groups was equivalent. Using tra nsvaginal sonography, the spread of cancer to the cervix was observed in five of the seven cases in which it was postoperatively confirmed. TVS is a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic method for patients with en dometrial cancer. When the TVS data are combined with results from oth er preoperative tests, the prognostic information obtained provides a useful basis in choosing the appropriate therapy.