Clinical and morphological features of adenomyosis in women of different age
We have performed a comparative clinical and morphological analysis of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis was diagnosed by histological examination of surgical specimens obtained from 112 patients aged 30 to 45 years with regular menstrual cycles and 44 patients aged 50 to 78 years, who did not menstruate for one year or longer. We have found that in patients of different age groups adenomyosis retains its inherent morphofunctional characteristics and trends of morphogenesis, such as high frequency of mixed morphofunctional forms, persistence of perifocal leiomyomatous myometrial hyperplasia, resumption of proliferation in the regressive foci with cystic transformation of the glands and cytogenous stroma fibrosis. This study demonstrates maintenance of functional activity in the adenomyosis foci even during prolonged menopause that is defining for the asynchronous, undulating course inherent to this pathology. Established features of adenomyosis should be considered during its clinical and morphological diagnostics to choose the right method of treatment. It should also be considered in the appointment of hormone replacement therapy in menopausal patients with a history of endometriosis indication.