Practical Updates and Diagnostic Challenges in Endometrial Carcinoma.

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Pathology
• Oncologic Pathology

Background:

• Clinical management of endometrial carcinoma relies heavily on pathologic evaluation of surgical specimens.
• Current practices in grossing, sampling, diagnosis, staging, reporting, and ancillary testing present standardization challenges.

Approach:

• Comprehensive review of existing literature, International Society of Gynecological Pathologists recommendations, and consensus guidelines.
• Focus on standardized grossing, key morphologic findings for reporting and staging, and diagnostic/prognostic use of ancillary testing.

Key Points:

• Summarizes essential aspects of grossing and sampling for microscopic examination.
• Highlights key morphologic parameters for reporting and staging endometrial carcinomas.
• Discusses differential diagnosis of low-grade and high-grade endometrial carcinomas using morphologic features and immunoprofiles.

Conclusions:

• Addresses the current status of molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma.
• Reviews human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in serous carcinoma.
• Aims to assist practicing anatomic pathologists in overcoming diagnostic challenges and reporting issues in endometrial carcinoma.