Marit Arnes1, Bodil Hvingel, Anne Orbo. 1. Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, and Research group for Gynaecologic Cancer, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway. anne.orbo@uit.no.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The main objective was to investigate if occurrence of hyperplastic polyps was reduced by use of the levonorgestrel-impregnated intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®; Bayer) and if the LNG-IUS was more effective compared to oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or observation-only. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (N=59) with hyperplastic polyps were given LNG-IUS, 10 mg oral MPA taken 10 days per cycle, or had observation-only for six months. Diagnosis of histological specimens was performed by light microscopy according to the WHO classification and D-score prior to and after six months therapy. RESULTS: No polyps were found in women treated with LNG-IUS (18/18). Five women treated with cyclic MPA (5/20, 25%) and two (2/21, 9%) with observation had normal endometrium without polyps after six months. CONCLUSION: No former study has shown that LNG-IUS is effective at reducing the occurrence of hyperplastic endometrial polyps. The effect is superior to that of oral progestin and observation-only.
BACKGROUND: The main objective was to investigate if occurrence of hyperplastic polyps was reduced by use of the levonorgestrel-impregnated intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena®; Bayer) and if the LNG-IUS was more effective compared to oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or observation-only. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (N=59) with hyperplastic polyps were given LNG-IUS, 10 mg oral MPA taken 10 days per cycle, or had observation-only for six months. Diagnosis of histological specimens was performed by light microscopy according to the WHO classification and D-score prior to and after six months therapy. RESULTS: No polyps were found in women treated with LNG-IUS (18/18). Five women treated with cyclic MPA (5/20, 25%) and two (2/21, 9%) with observation had normal endometrium without polyps after six months. CONCLUSION: No former study has shown that LNG-IUS is effective at reducing the occurrence of hyperplastic endometrial polyps. The effect is superior to that of oral progestin and observation-only.