[Functional-morphological model of organization of the epithelium of normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic human endometrium].

A model of functional-morphological organization of epithelium of human normal, hyperplastic, and tumour endometrium is described. The model is based on a hypothesis that a population of stem cells capable of indefinite unlimited self-maintenance exists in normal glandular epithelium of the endometrium. The population of normal stem cells of endometrium epithelium is the source of emergence of differentiated types of epithelial cells among which, according to the model, three cell types can be distinguished: cells sensitive to estradiol alone, cells sensitive to both estradiol and progesteron, and cells sensitive to progesteron alone. The conditions necessary for transition of one cell type to another as well as histochemical characteristics of each of the cell types are described. The model has been used for the analysis of morphological changes developing in hyperplastic processes and cancer of the endometrium as well as for the substantiation of the current schedules for hormone therapy of these diseases.