SHABNAM SHAMIM ASIM, ASIF ZIA AKHTAR.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study is to observe the frequency of malignancy in women presenting with post menopausal bleeding.

Study design: Observational study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and K.M.D.C. Duration of study was one year, from March 1996 - Feb 1997.

Material and method: Forty postmenopausal women presenting with vaginal bleeding were included in the study. The women were subjected to clinical evaluation and a diagnostic curettage of uterine cavity was done. Endometrial curetting were taken and sent for histopathology. The frequency of malignancy was studied and results were analyzed by using tables and percentages.

Results: 22.5% of cases proved to be malignant while 10% had endometrial hyperplasia. 77.5% reports showed benign endometrium. Atrophic endometrium was found to be the most common finding among the benign group (50%). The study showed that the frequency of malignancy increased with an increasing age and with an increase in the interval between the onset of postmenopausal bleeding and the menopause.

Conclusion: The study suggests that although the major cause of postmenopausal bleeding was found to be benign, the frequency of malignancy is still considerably high (22.5%) in these women. This justifies the need for a thorough clinical evaluation, investigations and endometrial sampling in all cases of vaginal bleeding after menopause.

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

Assistant Professor, Gynae & Obs, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and KMDC, Karachi *
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Karachi Medical & Dental College and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi *