Endometrial Thickness in Postmenopausal Patientswith Breast Cancer: Preliminary Results

Overview

Objective:
One of the most important factors contributing to developing of the breast cancer isa female organism exposure to estrogens. Thickness and structure of endometrium in postmenopausalwomen is a sign of the hormonal status. The goal of the study was to investigate whetherthere is a difference in the endometrial thickness and quality in postmenopausal women withbreast cancer.Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: Ultrasound Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School andMedical Teaching Hospital of L. Pasteur, Košice, Slovakia.Material and Methods: Endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography in21 patients with histologically verified breast cancer and was compared with a group of 26 wellwomen. We assessed the thickness of endometrium, the size of uterus and the endometrium/myometriumindex.Results: Despite the fact there existed a difference between these two groups (the average thicknessof 3.6 mm and 2.9 mm), the result was not statistically applicable to show a correlation witha benign or malignant breast tissue.Conclusion: The results may support the theory of breast cancerogenesis in correlation withestrogen influence or increased incidence of estrogen receptors, respectively. As definitive statisticalresult can not be stated due to a limited group of patients, more investigation might benecessary in the future. The study dealing with a similar problem was not found in availablepublications.

Key words:
endometrium, breast cancer, ultrasonography