Comparison between the diagnostic validity of cytology and histology in preneoplastic and neoplastic endometrial...

With the aim of defining a program of prevention for preneoplastic and neoplastic endometrial pathology which guarantees a valid, accurate and cost-contained diagnosis, 476 women considered at risk were examined. All the patients were first submitted to cytologic endocavitary withdrawal and subsequently to aspirated curettage. The cytologic and the histologic diagnoses proved concordant in 72.3% of cases of non-pathologic endometrium, in only 68.7% of preneoplastic pathology, and in 72.7% of neoplastic pathology. The non-interpretable pictures had a notable incidence (21.7%). The AA., while recognising the validity of cytology in cases of carcinoma, underline the difficulties in the diagnosis of preneoplastic lesions, and conclude that in doubtful or positive cases and subjects at risk a histologic enquiry is always necessary.