J Menopausal Med.  2016 Aug;22(2):122-125. 10.6118/jmm.2016.22.2.122.

Uterine Clear Cell Carcinoma of Postmenopausal Woman: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. mdpjw1216@gmail.com

Abstract

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. Clear cell carcinoma typically occurs in the ovaries, and very rarely occurs in the endometrium; it accounts for less than 3% of all endometrial cancers. It is presumed that clear cell carcinomas are of Müllerian duct origin, and an association with exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) or other nonsteroidal follicle stimulating hormones has been described. We report a case of a postmenopausal woman who presented with vaginal bleeding without a specific medical history. Under the impression of an endometrial mass, we performed a laparoscopic operation. Pathologic results showed clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium. Depth of invasion was 0.2 cm out of a 0.5 cm total thickness, and the rectal shelf mass was clear cell carcinoma. We report the case with a brief review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Adenocarcinoma; Clear cell; Endometrial neoplasms; Postmenopause

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Developed Countries
Diethylstilbestrol
Endometrial Neoplasms
Endometrium
Female
Humans
Ovary
Postmenopause
Uterine Hemorrhage
Diethylstilbestrol

Figure

  • Fig. 1 (A) Ultrasound sonography findings showing an endometrial mass. (B) Hysteroscopic findings in the endometrial cavity.

  • Fig. 2 (A) Positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) image showing a focal hypermetabolic lesion between the right aspect of the rectum and the uterus (→). (B) Laparoscopic findings showing a rectal shelf mass (↑).


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