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Adenocarcinoma
Etiology

associated with unopposed estrogen use
may be exogenous (non-cycled estrogens) but generally
endogenous due to peripheral aromatization of adrenal androgens by adipose in obese women
also associated with granulosa cell tumors and other estrogen producing ovarian tumors as well as polycystic ovary syndrome
small group of women with high grade neoplasms lack evidence of hyperestrinism
Pathogenesis

estrogen drives continued proliferation with eventual acquisition of somatic mutations
in the absence of progesterone maturation of the endometrium and spiral arteries never occurs, nor does regular menses,
Epidemiology

obese post-menopausal women
may also have diabetes and hypertension (classic triad)
small group of women with high grade neoplasms lacks these correlates
increasing incidence with aging population
not reliably detected on pap smear
General Gross Description

fungating, friable, tan mass with irregular infiltration of underlying myometrium
•Examples:
General Microscopic Description

glands exhibit crowding so that they are "back-to-back"
stratified nuclei with mitotic activity
cells lose orientation to the lumen
nucleoli become prominent, nuclei are vesicular
lumenal necrosis
if >90% glandular grade 1, 10-90% glandular grade 2, <10% glandular grade 3
•Examples:
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma of Endometrium (High Power) Adenocarcinoma of Endometrium (Medium Power) Adenocarcinoma of Endometrium (High Power)
References

Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 1060-6

For Most Current Information Search Medline at National Library of Medicine
This link will directly take you to the relevant new literature
Adenocarcinoma
Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T84000M81403)[20]
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