Abstract:
A study of 10 endometrial serous papillary cancers (ESPC) showed them not to differ morphologically from ovarian serous papillary cancer. A close association of ESPC with areas of tubal mucosal metaplasia of the uterine body was demonstrated. The proliferative changes undergone by these metaplastic areas and leading eventually to malignancy were followed step by step. The tumors were refractory to hormonal (progestagen) therapy and ran an aggressive course. In some of the cases, the ovaries, uterine body, and uterine tube were affected concomitantly. The occurrence of ESPC lends strong support to the hypothesis that ovarian epithelial tumors originate from the epithelium of Müller's canal.
