Molecular features of endometrial metaplastic processes, the risk factors for cancer relapse and neoplastic transformation

Abstract

Endometrial Metaplasia is the process in which normal endometrioid glands are undergoing replacement by other types of benign epithelium. Endometrium can show us a diversity of metaplastic changes. Modified differentiation of Endometrial cells can be due to the presence of degenerative/reparative, hormonal or neoplastic processes. The presence of Epithelial Metaplasia can signify other concomitants benign and malignant processes. Endometrial metaplasia can be either a single process or present with other histopathological changes. There are different types of endometrial metaplasia but the most common is tubal metaplasia. The second most common can be squamous metaplasia, transitional cell metaplasia, arias-Stella reaction/changes, cellular eosinophilic changes and mucinous metaplasia. different types of metaplasia can show us the various type and intensities of expression for P16, Cyclin E, Cyclin A, Ki67, B catenin, ER, CDX2, CD10, P63. The role and importance of distinct types of endometrial metaplasia in the relapse of cancer and neoplastic progression are still unknown. There is the clinical opinion that behind every single metaplastic process there is stem cell reprogramming but the phenomenon of endometrial metaplasia needs more thorough studies.