View source for Microcystic elongated and fragmented glands in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

[[Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF -- low mag.jpg|right|thumb|[[Micrograph]] showing [[endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma]] with microcystic elongated and fragmented (MELF) glands. [[H&E stain]].]]'''Microcystic elongated and fragmented glands in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma''' is a pattern of [[endometrioid endometrial carcinoma]].  ''Microcystic elongated and fragmented glands'' is typically abbreviated as '''MELF'''.<ref name=pmid24061515>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Euscher | first1 = E. | last2 = Fox | first2 = P. | last3 = Bassett | first3 = R. | last4 = Al-Ghawi | first4 = H. | last5 = Ali-Fehmi | first5 = R. | last6 = Barbuto | first6 = D. | last7 = Djordjevic | first7 = B. | last8 = Frauenhoffer | first8 = E. | last9 = Kim | first9 = I. | title = The pattern of myometrial invasion as a predictor of lymph node metastasis or extrauterine disease in low-grade endometrial carcinoma. | journal = Am J Surg Pathol | volume = 37 | issue = 11 | pages = 1728-36 | month = Nov | year = 2013 | doi = 10.1097/PAS.0b013e318299f2ab | PMID = 24061515 }}</ref>

==General==
*MELF pattern is a poor prognosticator.<ref name=pmid24487466/>

==Microscopic==
Features:
*Irregular elongated glands ("microcystic elongated and fragmented") - at deep aspect of tumour.
**Surrounded by (pale) myxoid stroma.<ref name=pmid19900084>{{cite journal |authors=Stewart CJ, Brennan BA, Leung YC, Little L |title=MELF pattern invasion in endometrial carcinoma: association with low grade, myoinvasive endometrioid tumours, focal mucinous differentiation and vascular invasion |journal=Pathology |volume=41 |issue=5 |pages=454–9 |date=2009 |pmid=19900084 |doi=10.1080/00313020903041135 |url=}}</ref>

Notes:
*[[Lymphovascular invasion]] more commmon than in non-MELF carcinomas.<ref name=pmid24487466>{{cite journal |vauthor=Hertel JD, Huettner PC, Pfeifer JD |title=Lymphovascular space invasion in microcystic elongated and fragmented (MELF)-pattern well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma is associated with a higher rate of lymph node metastasis |journal=Int. J. Gynecol. Pathol. |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=127–34 |date=March 2014 |pmid=24487466 |doi=10.1097/PGP.0b013e318285657b |url=}}</ref>
*Mucinous differentiation common in MELF.<ref name=pmid19900084/>

===Images===
<gallery>
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF -- very low mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - very low mag. (WC)
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF - alt -- low mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - low mag. (WC)
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF -- intermed mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF - alt -- intermed mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF - alt2 -- intermed mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - intermed. mag. (WC)  
Image:Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF -- high mag.jpg | EEAd w/ MELF - high mag. (WC)
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Endometrium]].
*[[Endometrial carcinoma]].

==References==
{{Reflist|1}}

[[Category:Diagnosis]]
[[Category:Gynecologic pathology]]