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BACKGROUND: Many oncologists regard endometrial cancer as a relatively benign and easily treatable gynecologic tumor. Inadequate care can result in poor outcomes. METHODS: The authors review the epidemiology and pathology of the disease, and they compare disease characteristics and outcomes of FIGO staging with their own 11-year experience at a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Patients referred to tertiary referral centers tend to present with more advanced stages of disease than those reported by FIGO, although the profile of histologic types is similar. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and early detection of endometrial cancer can minimize the impact of this disease. Complete staging and tumor removal including extrafascial hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and selective paraaortic lymphadenectomy are the cornerstones of surgical therapy.

Argyrophilic carcinoma of the breast, previously referred to as carcinoid tumor, is a rare form of ductal carcinoma that can be diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. This tumor is characterized by widespread cytoplasmic granules with affinity for reduced silver stains or argyrophilia. The tumor tends to occur in older women and behaves in a fashion similar to classic ductal carcinoma. The argyrophilia may reflect stored neurosecretory granules or, less frequently, mucinous or lactational changes. Carcinoid or other neuroendocrine syndromes are not observed.