Serous papillary carcinoma of the endometrium: a histopathological study of 22 cases

In a histological review of all 1985 cases of endometrial carcinoma in Norway diagnosed in the period 1970 through 1977, 22 patients (1.1%) with serous papillary carcinoma (ESPC) were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 72 years, which was significantly higher than for patients with ordinary adenocarcinoma. All patients were followed at least 10 years. The crude 5- and 10-year survival rates were 27 and 14%. Only three patients survived longer than 10 years and all of these had had stage I tumors. In 19 available curettage specimens ESPC could be identified in 18. This could have implications regarding choice of therapy because this subtype of endometrial carcinoma is very aggressive. It is most often found in elderly women.