This course focuses on diagnostic problems that are encountered with some frequency in uterine biopsy and curettage specimens. A wide range of topics will be addressed. Our main focus will be on endometrial epithelial proliferations and neoplasms, but trophoblastic and mesenchymal tumors will also be discussed. The course will be of greatest interest to pathologists in practice and pathology residents and fellows.

Microscopic slides from eight cases provide the basis for a wide ranging discussion of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of a variety of epithelial, mesenchymal, and trophoblastic proliferations that are encountered in endometrial biopsies and curettage specimens, and that frequently seem to cause diagnostic problems. Our discussion will focus mainly on practical issues such as clinical and histologic findings, diagnostic criteria, and differential diagnostic considerations. Immunohistochemistry will be discussed as appropriate for routine diagnostic work. In addition, recent developments in pathogenesis, nomenclature, or treatment that are important for pathologists to know about will be discussed.

A limited number of loan sets of glass slides will be available for advance mailing to course participants. All participants will receive a CD that will include the course syllabus with a comprehensive list of references and a file that will include most of the text slides and images that we will show during our presentation.

After completion of this course participants will: 1) have an up to date understanding of the most important diagnostic issues in uterine pathology, 2) be familiar with the histologic features and classification of endometrial hyperplasia, 3) know and be able to apply current criteria for the diagnosis and grading of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and be able to distinguish it from hyperplasia, 4) be able to identify prognostically important types of endometrial carcinoma and their precursors, 5) be aware of a variety of polypoid proliferations that occur in the uterus, and 6) be able to recognize mesenchymal and trophoblastic proliferations that cause diagnostic problems when encountered in biopsy and curettage specimens.

(Last Scheduled Presentation)