Histological findings in women with postmenopausal bleeding: Jordanian figures

Postmenopausal bleeding represents one of the most common reasons for referral to gynaecological services. A retrospective review was made of the hospital records of 482 women presenting with postmenopausal bleeding to a referral hospital in Amman, Jordan. Histopathological reports and patients' records were reviewed and different causes of bleeding were identified and related to patients' age. Adenocarcinoma was responsible for 9% of cases, and hyperplasia for 11%. Atrophy of the endometrium was the most common finding (52% of women), followed by hyperplasia (with and without atypia) (11%) and carcinoma (9%). The risk of cancer increased with increasing age while the incidence of bleeding decreased with age. Other pathology was reported as the main finding in 11 cases (2%) with postmenopausal bleeding. These preliminary data are the first reports from Jordan of histopathological findings in this group of patients, and a larger study is required to establish national figures.