Are endometrial polyps from pre-menopausal women similar to post-menopausal women? An immunohistochemical comparison of endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women.

Objective: Do endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women have similar immunohistochemical expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and markers of cellular proliferation/apoptosis (Ki67 and Bcl-2).
Design: Prospective cohort study. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used.
Setting: Polyps recruited from women attending an out-patient hysteroscopy clinic in a UK district general hospital.
Patients: Fourteen pre-menopausal and 16 post-menopausal women who presented with abnormal bleeding with endometrial polyps.
Interventions: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on endometrial polyps.
Main Outcome Measures: Significant differences or correlations between hormone receptor expression (oestrogen and progesterone) and cell growth indices (Ki67 and Bcl-2).
Results: Endometrial polyps from pre- and post-menopausal women had significant differences in their expression of hormone receptors and Ki67. However, polyps from both groups of women had similarly increased levels of Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis.
Conclusions: Pre- and post-menopausal polyps exhibit differing hormone receptor and proliferation markers, presumably a result of their hormonal milieu. However, both groups appear to have lost the usual control mechanisms for apoptotic regulation, this appears to be responsible for their growth.