The significance of vaginal hormonal cytology and the leukocyte adherence inhibition test for the detection of malignancy.

ABSTRACT

Raised leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test values were found for 25 women with endometrial carcinoma and 12 women with benign hyperplastic endometrium. Of 42 patients with oligomenorrheic and polymenorrheic disturbances of the menstrual cycle and whose hyperestrogenism was assessed by cytologic indices (i.e., eosinophilic and karyopyknotic indices), 38 exhibited positive or borderline LAI test values with either one or both of the antigens used. The LAI test was negative with both antigens in four women with hyperestrogenism associated with a 28-day menstrual cycle. The high correlation between hyperestrogenism and positive LAI test results as well as between the LAI test and the presence of tumors suggests that both hormonal cytology and the LAI test might be useful as screening methods for evaluating risk factors for the development of malignant tumors of the female reproductive tract. Both methods are fairly simple, reproducible and convenient for long-term follow-up.