CORRELATION BETWEEN ENDOMETRIAL CELLS ON PAPANICOLAOU SMEAR AND ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

Background. A retrospective study was done to assess the correlation b etween endometrial cells on routine cervical cytology and carcinoma of the endometrium. Methods.. In a 4-year period, endometrial cells of s ome type were identified on the Papanicolaou (Pap) smears of 61 women, of whom 52 had further diagnostic evaluation of the endometrium. Data were analyzed with a multivariate stepwise logistic regression. Resul ts. The results indicated an association of endometrial cells in Pap s mears with carcinoma of the endometrium in seven patients (13.5%). In 45 patients (86.5%), the final diagnosis was benign. Factors that impa cted the diagnosis of carcinoma were the findings of atypical or cance rous endometrial cells on Pap smear and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Con clusions. These data indicate the importance of further diagnostic eva luation with endometrial sampling in postmenopausal patients with endo metrial cells seen in Pap smears, especially those with abnormal bleed ing.