Hysteroscopy may transport malignant cells into the peritoneal cavity. Case report

The purpose of this report is to caution against the use of hysteroscopy at the time of uterine curettage performed in women with postmenopausal bleeding suspected of having endometrial carcinoma. A 63 year old postmenopausal woman had endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by hysteroscopically guided curettage. At the time of hysterectomy three weeks later, malignant cells were found in pelvic washings. Although a causal relationship between hysteroscopy and malignant peritoneal cytology cannot be postulated, we believe that hysterescopy should be used with caution in the work up of postmenopausal bleeding.