Precursor Lesions of Endometrial Carcinoma

Abstract

Endometrial hyperplasia often precedes the development of endometrioid carcinoma, the most common type of endometrial carcinoma. More recently, studies have found that the risk of endometrial hyperplasia is associated with increasing body mass index and nulliparity [24]. In addition, obesity, anovulatory cycles, and exogenous hormones are associated with both endometrioid carcinoma and hyperplasia. All of these factors are thought to result in unopposed estrogen stimulation of the endometrium. The role of unopposed estrogen stimulation in the development of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is further supported by studies demonstrating elevated serum estrogen levels