PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERINE BODY

In this review we look at recent developments in the pathology of the uterine body. Factors influencing the growth of leiomyomas are evaluat ed together with response to medical therapy and consequent histopatho logical changes. Further work on carcinosarcomas tends to support the common stem-cell theory of origin, which may also be true of other sar comas, as common chromosomal abnormalities have been found. There has been continued work on prognostic factors in endometrial carcinomas wi th ploidy, hormone receptor status, HER-2/neu expression, and coexiste nt hyperplasia confirmed as independent prognostic factors, while clea r cell and serous papillary carcinomas are confirmed as poor prognosti c types. Finally, recent 'tumors' associated with tamoxifen are review ed.