Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract in the United States. Molecular studies have led to key insights into the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma and have provided a genetic basis for the current broad classification of this common malignancy. The recent development of a mouse model will promote studies aimed at understanding the interaction of genetic alterations and hormones in the pathogenesis of endometrioid carcinoma.

Keywords: endometrioid carcinoma; serous carcinoma; PTEN; microsatellite instability; p53

Figure 1. Schematic of the dualistic model of endometrial tumorigenesis. CAH: complex atypical hyperplasia; CH: complex hyperplasia; EIC: endometrial intraepithelial hyperplasia; MI: microsatellite instability; SH: simple hyperplasia.
Figure 2. Representative photomicrographs of endometrial hyperplasia.
Figure 3. Representative photomicrographs of uterine endometrioid carcinoma (UEC).
Figure 4. Representative photomicrographs of endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC).
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 References
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Ellenson, Lora Hedrick(Jan 2006) Endometrial Cancer. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0006108]