PERITONEAL CYTOLOGY AFTER FLUID HYSTEROSC OPY IN PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of positive p eritoneal cytology in patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwen t preceding hysteroscopy. Material and Methods: 33 patients with endom etrial cancer underwent diagnostic fluid hysteroscopy, on the average 11 days (3-30) before surgery. The rate of positive peritoneal cytolog y was compared with that in 1278 patients in the literature with carci noma limited to the uterus without preceding hysteroscopy. Results: Th ree of 31 patients (9.7%) had positive peritoneal cytology. All three patients were among the 28 patients with carcinoma limited to the uter us without extension to the uterine serosa (10.7%). The rate of positi ve peritoneal cytology in 1278 patients in the literature without preo perative irradiation or hysteroscopy was 8.5%. Conclusion: The rate of positive peritoneal cytology in patients with endometrial carcinoma a fter diagnostic fluid hysteroscopy is similar to that in patients with out preceding hysteroscopy.