Hormone receptor analysis in endometrial cytologic samples collected with the Gynoscann device

Eighteen patients underwent endometrial cytologic sampling using the Gynoscann instrument immediately before curettage. The material obtained was used for cytologic diagnosis and for measurements of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs). The material collected with the Gynoscann device provided conclusive cytologic diagnoses in 88% of the cases, as compared with the histologic classification of samples collected by curettage. The DNA content in the samples obtained by the Gynoscann device varied from 5 micrograms to 218 micrograms; this amount was sufficient for the analysis of both ER and PR. Thus, assays for steroid receptors may be performed on endometrial cytologic samples obtained by the Gynoscann; this method may be especially useful for cases in which it is difficult to take a surgical biopsy.