Value of the Gravlee Jet Washer in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer

in 220 women with gynecologic symptoms, endometrial washings were obtained with the Gravlee Jet Washer-in 135 outpatients before office curettage without anesthesia or analgesia; in 85 hospitalized patients before fractional dilatation and curettage under anesthesia. The method was simple, inexpensive, virtually painless, and free of complications. Endometrial adenocarcinoma was present in 12 patients; the jet washing samples were diagnostic in 6 of these. Reported variations in diagnostic accuracy for endometrial carcinoma and precancerous phases raise doubts as to the value of this technic in asymptomatic patients. It is valid for screening symptomatic patients provided results other than normal or positive are further evaluated. Laboratory handling and interpretation must be improved if jet washing is to succeed in mass screening programs.