Peritoneal cytology in uterine papillary serous carcinoma.

Objective: To highlight the significance of positive peritoneal cytology in uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).

Study Design: Seventeen consecutive UPSC cases with peritoneal cytology from 1993 to 1997 were reviewed and compared with the original cytologic diagnosis and extent of tumor involvement in tissues.

Results: Of the 17 post-menopausal women with UPSC, 11 had early-stage tumors (clinical stage I and II); three cases (27%) with positive peritoneal cytology were upgraded from at least International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians stage IA to IIIA. No change in surgical stage was noted in four of six (67%) advanced cases with positive peritoneal cytology. The review diagnoses of peritoneal cytology did not differ from the original diagnoses.

Conclusion: The features of UPSC in peritoneal cytology are those of a high grade malignancy and may be shared by tumors with similar histology from other sites. The malignant features are readily identified, but the site of origin may not be completely ensured. Positive peritoneal cytology upgrades the surgical stage of early-stage UPSC cases and helps with prognostication and treatment. One case with positive washings but without residual tumor probably represented early spread and/or multicentric origin of the tumor.