THE EFFICACY OF THE PIPELLE ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY IN DETECTING ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy rate of the Pi pelle endometrial biopsy sampler (Pipelle de Cornier) (1) in detecting endometrial carcinoma, and to analyze the tumour variables that may i nfluence the success rate. Thirty seven women with known endometrial c arcinoma were tested preoperatively; there were 25 correct diagnoses ( 67%), the remaining 12 cases (33%) failed to demonstrate the correct d iagnosis: 4 showed 'atypical epithelium', 2 showed 'atypical hyperplas ia', 3 showed 'nonspecific epithelium' and the remaining 3 showed 'nec rotic hyalinized material'. All cases were analyzed with respect to se veral tumour parameters, including the degree of differentiation, tumo ur volume, depth of invasion, and the extent to which the tumour fille d the endometrial cavity. Poor results were obtained in well different iated, low volume, and minimally invasive tumours, i.e. most early tum ours, precluding its use as a screening tool. A positive biopsy can sa ve patients the time, cost, and inconvenience of a dilatation and cure ttage. However, in the light of these findings, a nonspecific finding should be interpreted with caution.