Endometrial squamous metaplasia. An unusual response to progestin therapy of hyperplasia

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1995 May;119(5):458-60.

Abstract

Objective: To report the finding of squamous metaplasia within endometrial glands occurring as a result of progestin therapy of hyperplasia.

Design: Case series. Retrospective analysis of two cases from 9235 accessioned endometrial biopsies.

Setting: Hospital-based pathology laboratory processing inpatient and outpatient specimens.

Patients: Two women, ages 49 and 34 years, with endometrial hyperplasia without squamous metaplasia who were treated with progestin.

Results: Extensive squamous metaplasia was found in endometrial glands following progestin therapy. The post-therapy biopsies also showed progestin-related alterations but no evidence of active hyperplasia.

Conclusion: Squamous metaplasia in these cases appears to be a consequence of progestin therapy. The absence of hyperplasia in the progestin-treated endometrium suggests that the squamous metaplasia does not represent persistence or progression of the original hyperplastic lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / drug therapy*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metaplasia / chemically induced
  • Middle Aged
  • Progestins / adverse effects*
  • Progestins / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Progestins