What is the influence of cyclooxygenase-2 on postmenopausal endometrial polyps?. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pereira, A. K. C.; Garcia, M. T.; Pinheiro, W.; Ejzenberg, D.; Soares, J. M.; Baracat, E. C.
• Is Part Of: Climacteric. Volume 18:Number 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 498
• Page End: 502
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Menopause -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Periodicals; Estrogen Replacement Therapy -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 612.665
• DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2014.966240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-7137

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background</italic> The genesis of the endometrial polyp is as yet unclear. There is evidence that the polyp is related to the inflammatory process and that it interacts with the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic> To review the influence of COX-2 on the postmenopausal endometrial polyp.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic> A systematic review was made of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases, covering the years of 2001–2014. The inclusion criteria were: experimental studies with immunohistological analysis of COX-2 in endometrial polyps; women; hysteroscopic and surgical evaluation; and studies with comparisons between the endometrial polyp and other tissues (normal endometrium, adjacent endometrium, and other uterine diseases). The exclusion criteria were: polyps in other organs; genetic polymorphisms; endometrial cancer exclusively; abnormal uterine bleeding unrelated to polyps. The search key words (taken from the Medical Subject Headings – MeSH) were endometrial polyp and cyclooxygenase-2.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic> Seven of ten articles were selected. Results showed positive COX-2 expression in the glandular epithelium of the polyps, and expression was more intense when the polyp was malignant. However, there was a study which did not find any difference between polyps and the normal endometrium, and there was another which compared polyps in menacme with postmenopausal polyps.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic> There is no consensus in the literature as to the participation of COX-2 in the development of benign and/or malignant endometrial polyps. In all of the studies, COX-2 was present in the postmenopausal polyps and with greater intensity in the malignant ones.</p> </abstract>