False positive malignant peritoneal cytology and psammoma bodies in benign gynecologic disease.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of false positive malignant peritoneal cytology and psammoma bodies associated with benign gynecologic disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Pelvic peritoneal fluid was prospectively collected for cytologic examination from 119 women undergoing laparoscopy for benign conditions (infertility, 67; pelvic pain, 35; elective sterilization, 17). The median age was 30. No patient had laparoscopic gross cancer or histologic evidence of cancer.

RESULTS

The peritoneal cytology of 2 of 119 cases (2%) contained cells with features suggestive of malignancy, and 6 of 119 cases (5%) contained psammoma bodies. Both cases of false positive peritoneal cytology and four of six with psammoma bodies were associated with endometriosis. All cases were followed for a minimum of two years, and no patient had developed cancer.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal fluid from cases of benign gynecologic disorders, especially endometriosis, can contain psammoma bodies and cells suggestive of malignancy.