Histopathology and steroid receptors in endometrial polyps of postmenopausal patients under hormone‐replacement therapy

Abstract

Objective To study the histopathology of endometrial polyps that had developed during 6–18 months of hormone‐replacement therapy (HRT), and to determine the status of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in these lesions. Design Retrospective study. Subjects Fifty‐five menopausal patients receiving HRT who had endometrial polyps. Interventions Polypectomy followed by endometrial resection. Results Endometrial polyps have foci of hyperplasia that do not respond to progestin in menopausal patients receiving HRT. This is associated with lack of progesterone receptors in both stroma and glands. On the other hand, oestrogen receptors are expressed in endometrial polyps. Conclusions Endometrial polyps in menopausal patients receiving HRT respond only to oestrogens but not to progestins. The unopposed oestrogenic action on polyps may favour the development of premalignant hyperplasia and carcinoma.