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Endometrium Hyperplasia: An Overview

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An unusual lesion of cervical microglandular hyperplasia might be mistaken for cancer. Read further to know more.

Written by

Dr. Aysha Anwar

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Monica Mathur

Published At March 8, 2024
Reviewed AtMarch 13, 2024

Introduction:

When endometrial hyperplasia occurs, the lining of the uterus swells, leading to unusual or severe bleeding. The risk of both uterine and endometrial cancer is increased by atypical endometrial hyperplasia. The illness usually manifests itself during or following menopause. Treatment with progesterone may lessen the symptoms. Individuals who are at risk for cancer could decide to have their uterus removed.

What Is Endometrial Hyperplasia?

When the endometrium (the uterus lining) thickens too much, it is known as endometrial hyperplasia. The lining that sheds during the menstrual cycle is called the endometrium. Additionally, during pregnancy, a fetus develops into this tissue. Endometrial hyperplasia can cause endometrial cancer, a kind of uterine cancer, in some women and individuals designated female at birth (AFAB).

Which Are the Types of Endometrial Hyperplasia?

The types of cell alterations in the uterine lining determine how medical professionals categorize endometrial hyperplasia. While some endometrial hyperplasia forms significantly raise the risk for cancer, others do not.

  • Endometrial Hyperplasia, either Simple or Complicated (Without Atypia): This kind of hyperplasia has normal cells and is unlikely to develop into cancer ("without atypia" indicates less likely to develop into cancer). The doctor might advise hormone treatment, or the condition might get better on its own.

  • Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia, whether Simple or Complicated (With Atypia): The risk of endometrial hyperplasia developing into cancer is increased if it is "atypical" or "with atypia." The risk of developing uterine or endometrial cancer rises if one does not get treatment.

What Are the Causes of Endometrial Hyperplasia?

An excess of progesterone or estrogen in a woman can lead to endometrial hyperplasia. There are several causes for this to happen:

  • Ovulation can be hampered by obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or irregular menstrual cycles, which lowers the exposure to progestin.

  • When a woman is in perimenopause and her periods are irregular, one is exposed to less progesterone.

  • A woman who has reached menopause is no longer exposed to progesterone since one is not ovulatory.

  • Without progestin, a synthetic substance that imitates the effects of progesterone on the body, the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen mimics the effects of estrogen. Certain individuals use prescription estrogen without concurrently taking progestin.

What Are the Signs of Endometrial Hyperplasia?

Endometrial hyperplasia patients in women may encounter:

  • Heavier than typical menstrual cycles.

  • sheLonger than typical menstrual cycles.

  • Bleeding during the intermenstrual cycle.

  • Periods of menstruation lasting less than 21 days.

  • Bleeding is similar to menstruation after menopause.

  • Sometimes, severe menstrual bleeding causes anemia.

What Are the Risk Factors of Endometrial Hyperplasia?

After the age of 35, endometrial hyperplasia is more common in women, especially if :

  • Began having menstruation at a young age and was never pregnant.

  • Received an infertility diagnosis.

  • Experienced menopause later in life.

  • Are overweight.

  • Take the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen.

  • Consume estrogen on prescription without progesterone.

Furthermore, the following health issues may raise the chance of endometrial hyperplasia:

  • Diabetes PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (one of the most prevalent hormonal issues affecting fertile women is PCOS).

  • Thyroid conditions.

  • Gallbladder illness.

  • Lynch's condition (a disease known as Lynch syndrome raises the risk of several types of cancer).

  • The Cowden syndrome (a genetic condition marked by numerous hamartomas, tumor-like growths that are not malignant, and an elevated chance of acquiring specific cancers).

  • A history of colorectal, ovarian, or uterine cancer in oneself or one's family.

How Does One Cure Endometrial Hyperplasia?

Progestin therapy may be suggested for women with endometrial hyperplasia who have abnormal, non-cancerous cells. By counteracting the actions of estrogen in the body, this synthetic hormone helps to either completely eradicate or significantly reduce endometrial hyperplasia symptoms. Women who are not yet menopausal may be advised to:

  • Tablets for birth control that contain progestin.

  • Progestin and estrogen-containing birth control tablets.

  • Injections of progestin.

  • Progesterone-containing vaginal cream.

Women who are not yet menopausal may be advised to:

  • Tablets for birth control that contain progestin.

  • Progestin and estrogen-containing birth control tablets.

  • Injections of progestin.

  • Progesterone-containing vaginal cream.

  • Levonorgestrel, a progestin, is released gradually by an intrauterine device (IUD).

It is not recommended for women who have entered menopause to take birth control tablets that combine progestin and estrogen. They might be advised to take:

  • Birth control tablets with just progestin.

  • Injections of progestin.

  • Progesterone-containing vaginal cream.

  • An IUD that delivers progesterone progressively.

  • A hysterectomy could be advised for endometrial hyperplasia patients with abnormal, precancerous cells. By removing the uterus, this treatment decreases the chance of developing endometrial cancer. It is crucial to remember that a woman who has a hysterectomy loses her ability to become pregnant.

What Are the Diagnostic Methods?

Certain cytomorphologic characteristics from pap smears can be seen in MGH, including bi- or tridimensional cellular clusters of reserve cells with little cytoplasm and epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. These characteristics, however, are not exclusive to MGH; they are frequently seen in tissue afflicted by adenocarcinomas, and these tissues can be combined with MGH areas. It is difficult to differentiate between endocervical lesions, so it should not be used for diagnosis. Subnuclear vacuoles are frequently seen in MGH, although adenocarcinomas are more frequently found to have squamous metaplasia, stromal foam cells, mitotic activity, vimentin, and MIB-1 expression.

What Are the Treatments Available?

The majority of endometrial hyperplasia patients are treated with progestin. The hormone the body lacks, progesterone, is synthesized by humans and is known as progestin. Progestin is available in several forms.

  • Oral progesterone treatment (a tablet ingest).

  • IUD (intrauterine device) that holds progesterone.

  • Injection.

  • Vaginal gel or cream.

The doctor might advise a hysterectomy to remove the uterus if:

  • The patient becomes sicker, or malignant cells grow.

  • Progestin therapy does not make the condition better.

Should a Person With Endometrial Hyperplasia Get a Hysterectomy?

Endometrial hyperplasia can usually be treated without a hysterectomy. Most patients react favorably to progestin therapy. Hysterectomy might be an option for therapy if the doctor determines that they have complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia and that they have a high risk of developing uterine cancer.

Conclusion:

Adenocarcinoma and microglandular hyperplasia are similar conditions that resemble tumors. Furthermore, there have been occurrences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia occurring concurrently, even though mixed carcinoma instances. Although endocervical malignancy in microglandular hyperplasia has never been proven, it has occasionally been discovered. However, it is unclear what this means for prognosis in cases of microglandular hyperplasia. When there is cervical microglandular hyperplasia, one should be wary of coexisting lesions. Colposcopy and histological testing should be used to rule out the likelihood of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of endocervical cancer. The co-occurrence of both ailments may make a definitive diagnosis more difficult.

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Dr. Monica Mathur
Dr. Monica Mathur

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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