VALUE OF PERITONEAL CYTOLOGY AFTER HYSTEROSCOPY IN SURGICAL STAGE-I ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE ENDOMETRIUM

Nineteen clinical stage I adenocarcinoma of the uterus with favourable histological prognosis factors (low grade, no myometrial extension, a nd no pelvic node involvement) were diagnosed using a pre-operative hy steroscopy. During the laparotomy, peritoneal cytology was performed s ystematically. The frequency of positive peritoneal washings was abnor mally high (7 cases) with cytologic findings showing grouped cells in large clusters. However, these patients have not experienced peritonea l recurrences. The endoscopic procedures may have facilitated the tran stubal malignant cell dissemination and are questionable in endometria l carcinoma.