Publication:

Histopathological study of endometrial stromal sarcomas

Background Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs) are rare malignant uterine tumours comparatively affecting younger women and the mean age is 42 to 58 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification categorises endometrial stromal neoplasms and related tumors as: endometrial stromal nodule (ESN), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS), and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS).

Methods Present study is a retrospective one and includes 6 patients with histologically proven endometrial stromal sarcoma for a period of 3 years. Authors examined every slide available from each case and new HE-stained slides generated from formaline-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were reviewed to confirm the diagnoses. Demographic information, pathologic, and treatment information were collected from the clinic and hospital charts. All had primary surgical management in the form of total abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy.

Results The mean patient age was 41 years. All of the patients had presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. Diffuse growth of small cells closely resembling those of the normal proliferative endometrial stroma was the characteristic feature of these tumors. All of these patients had a low grade ESS on histopathology. They had regular follow-up visits until the end of study.

Conclusions Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare malignant tumors of the uterus and a proper preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Their differential diagnosis from typical submucosal uterine myomas or benign endometrial polyps can be difficult. The histological examination of the specimen is necessary to exclude malignancy and establish the final diagnosis.