Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 Mar;55(3):192-196. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.192.

A case of clear cell adenocarcinoma in the uterine cervix of 52-year-old virgin

• Lee YL
• Chang KH
• Kyung MS
• Kim HB
• Park SH

• KMID: 2274126
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.192

Abstract

Clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCAC) of uterine cervix is very rare tumor and only 4%-9% of entire adenocarcinoma appears to be diagnosed as clear cell type. Risk factors and pathogenesis of this disease are not exactly revealed. The intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and associated non-steroidal estrogen during pregnancy before 18 weeks is the only known risk factor, and also hormonal changes or genetic causes are suggested as the risk factors. We report a case of CCAC in the uterine cervix of 52-year-old virgin who had never been exposed to DES, with a brief review of related literature.

Keyword

Clear cell adenocarcinoma; Diethylstilbestrol; Virgin

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell
Cervix Uteri
Diethylstilbestrol
Estrogens
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
Diethylstilbestrol
Estrogens

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Inspection by vaginal speculum showed cauliflower-like mass of cervix, filling up the entire vagina.

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  Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance imaging showed about 1.6×2.9 ×2.5 cm sized cervical mass protruding from posterior lip of cervix. There was no evidence of parametrial invasion, lymph node involvement or distant metastasis.

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  Fig. 3 Macroscopic examination of the specimen revealed the irregular and hemorrhagic mass, 2.6 cm in diameter, infiltrating to the cervical wall.

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  Fig. 4 Microscopically, the cancer cells had invaded the cervical wall to a depth of 6.0 mm, but there was no invasion of the endometrium or parametrium (A: H&E, ×100; B: H&E, ×400).

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