endometrial overgrowth, EH
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition of excessive proliferation of the cells of the endometrium, or inner lining of the uterus.
Most cases of endometrial hyperplasia result from high levels of estrogens, combined with insufficient levels of the progesterone-like hormones which ordinarily counteract estrogen's proliferative effects on this tissue. This may occur in a number of settings, including obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, estrogen producing tumours (e.g. granulosa cell tumour) and certain formulations of estrogen replacement therapy. Endometrial hyperplasia is a significant risk factor for the development or even co-existence of endometrial cancer, so careful monitoring and treatment of women with this disorder is essential.
Like other hyperplastic disorders, endometrial hyperplasia initially represents a physiological response of endometrial tissue to the growth-promoting actions of estrogen. However, the gland-forming cells of a hyperplastic endometrium may also undergo changes over time which predispose them to cancerous transformation. Several histopathology subtypes of endometrial hyperplasia are recognizable to the pathologist, with different therapeutic and prognostic implications.
Two different systems are commonly used to classify EH, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) (Tab. 1). The WHO classification system, which is the most commonly recognized system, use cellular complexity, crowding of the endometrial gland and the presence of cytological atypia to categorize pathologies as simple or complex hyperplasia, with or without atypia. The complexity of the WHO classification system has prompted improvement of an alternative system, the EIN. The EIN classifies EH as either benign or hyperplasia, and includes additional EIN and cancer classifications. Cases are categorized as EIN based on architectural gland crowding, altered cytology and maximum linear dimension of the lesion exceeding 1 mm, while excluding cancer and mimics. The EIN classification system can easily be applied to routine H&E stained sections and is more reproducible, helping clinicians to select treatment options.
However, the most commonly used classification system for endometrial hyperplasia is the World Health Organization system, which has four categories:
(1. + 2.) Endometrial hyperplasia (simple or complex) - Irregularity and cystic expansion of glands (simple) or crowding and budding of glands (complex) without worrisome changes in the appearance of individual gland cells. In one study, 1.6% of patients diagnosed with these abnormalities eventually developed endometrial cancer.
(3. + 4.) Atypical endometrial hyperplasia (simple or complex) - Simple or complex architectural changes, with worrisome (atypical) changes in gland cells, including cell stratification, tufting, loss of nuclear polarity, enlarged nuclei, and an increase in mitotic activity. These changes are similar to those seen in true cancer cells, but atypical hyperplasia does not show invasion into the connective tissues, the defining characteristic of cancer. The previously mentioned study found that 22% of patients with atypical hyperplasia eventually developed cancer.
Diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia can be made by endometrial biopsy which is done in the office setting or through curettage of the uterine cavity to obtain endometrial tissue for histopathologic analysis. A workup for endometrial disease may be prompted by abnormal uterine bleeding, or the presence of atypical glandular cells on a pap smear.
Although there is no bona fide treatment for EH, most current guidelines recommend hormone therapies (including use of progestin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or its analogues or their combination) or surgical treatment (Pic. 1). The selection criteria for treatment options are based on patient age, health, the presence of cytologic-atypia and fertility status (Pic. 2). EH without atypia responds well to progestins.
Associated diseases
Complications
Risk factors
Since EH is a precursor to cancer, all risk-factors of EC could be related to EH (Tab. 2).
Many women are able to become pregnant with endometrial overgrowth, but it is major that you talk to your doctor regarding therapy options that thrifty to your fertility. In reality, studies have shown that about 30% of women who have endometrial overgrowth and choose for these types of treatments are able to have a live birth.
However, it is possible that women who have forward stages of this disease will find that their ability to become pregnant is complete stopped because of the treatments that are required to repair the issue. For this reason, it is relevant that you seek medical attention as soon as possible when you have been diagnosed with endometrial overgrowth.
Surgical methods (hysterectomy, hysteroscopic endometrial resection/ablation) lead to the removal or disruption of the endometrium and can cause infertility.
EH is from unbalance of hormones. Acupuncture try to treat unbalance of hormones and herbs may help causes of unbalance of hormones.
Progestin
Oral use of progestin, such as megestrol acetate (MA), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is the most commonly used method with various regimens available for treatment of endometrial hyperplasia (EH). Nonetheless, the response rate is unsatisfactory, especially in atypical EH (approximately 70%). Progestin therapy may be continued or hysterectomy performed in cases of no response. Moreover, oral progestins are associated with poor compliance and systemic side effects that may limit overall efficacy. Different types of progestins and their doses in clinical use for the treatment of EH are shown in (Tab. 3 and 4).
Metformin
Metformin, insulin sensitizer, decreases insulin resistance by the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Metformin not only lowers insulin levels and can also provide benefits by decreasing body weight, which diminishes the peripheral conversion of androgen. In addition, a low body index is related to a high resolution rate in EH patients with progestin treatment. Therefore, metformin may be proposed as an alternative agent for treatment of EH, especially for patients who have progestin resistance or other metabolic disorders.
Surgical therapy
Hysterectomy
Endometrial hyperplasia (EH), especially in the presence of atypia, has a strong tendency to the development of endometrial carcinoma. In this respect, hysterectomy is a preferred treatment for atypical EH. However, for young patient who desire to preserve their fertility or for patients not selected for surgery, conservative treatments using progestin are widely accepted as a treatment option.
Conservative treatment with high-dose progesterone for endometrial hyperplasia and well-differentiated early-stage adenocarcinoma followed by assisted reproductive technologies (IVF-ICSI) is an appropriate means for achieving pregnancy. If all efforts to conceive and carry a pregnancy to full-term fails, surrogacy may be considered.
A disease of excess body fat that can have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and other health problems.
A condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, cysts in the ovaries, trouble g
A state in which pieces of the tissue alike to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow in other parts of the body.
A medical condition impairing the function of the thyroid.
Cancer that arises from the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.
The absence of a menstrual period in women of reproductive age.
Light or infrequent menstrual flow at intervals of 39 days to 6 months or 5–7 cycles in a year.
The uterus is the largest and major organ of the female reproductive tract that is the site of fetal growth and is hormonally responsive
The innermost layer of uterus forming the uterine lumen where the implantation of an oocyte happens.
The primary female sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
Steroid hormone, secreted by the ovaries, whose function is to prepare the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized ovum and to maintain pregnancy.
The very early stage of pregnancy at which the embryo adheres to the wall of the uterus.
A decrease in the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.
A condition in which the body either does not produce enough, or does not properly respond to insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas.
A medical condition characterized by an excessive amount of estrogenic activity in the body.
A medical condition of excess body fat that can have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and other health problems.
Long-lasting inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco.
The absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age.
An anovulatory cycle is a menstrual cycle during which the ovaries do not release an oocyte.
A long-term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring.
The excessive hairiness on women in those parts of the body where terminal hair normally is absent or minimal, such as a beard or chest hair.
A subjective feeling of tiredness which is distinct from weakness, which has a gradual onset.
Abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding in menstrual periods.
The medical term for infrequent, often light menstrual periods (intervals exceeding 35 days).
The painful feelings during sexual intercourse.
Irregular intermenstrual bleeding including postcoital bleeding.
Decreased or missing lubrication of vagina.
A form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points
Process by which a woman donates eggs for purposes of assisted reproduction or biomedical research.
Surgical removal of the uterus.
A micromanipulative fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
Drugs, which are used as a treatment option of endometrial hyperplasia.
The procedure in which a man (sperm donor) provides his sperm for fertility treatment.
A process in which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. Own or donated gametes may be used.
The embryo is gestated in a third party's (surrogate) uterus.
