Endometrial adenocarcinoma following endometrial ablation for postmenopausal bleeding

A case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the endometrium following endometrial ablation is described. A discussion of the development and evolution of endometrial ablation procedures is presented. Recommendations for patient selection and postablation surveillance are suggested. The authors believe this case report to be the third described in the literature. (Background. A case of endometrial adenocarcinoma developing after transcervical endometrial ablation with a resectoscope was recently reported (A. B. Copperman, A. H. DeCherney, and D. L. Olive, Obstet. Gynecol. 82, 640-642 (1993)). It is recognized that functional residual islands of endometrial tissue remain in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients following ablation. There is only limited experience using endometrial ablation in postmenopausal patients and in others at high risk for endometrial cancer. Case. A patient presented who developed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the endometrium after endometrial ablation for postmenopausal bleeding. Conclusion. With endometrial ablation procedures, the potential exists for missed areas or buried nests of functional endometrial tissue that may later undergo malignant transformation or have already become metaplastic and invaded the myometrium. Therefore, close postoperative surveillance, including thorough evaluation of postoperative bleeding, is indicated. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed in order to define the safety and efficacy of endometrial ablation in the high-risk patient.