The human papillomavirus status of invasive cervical adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathological and outcome analysis

Infection status and survival impact of high-risk human papillomavirus in cervical adenocarcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cervical adenocarcinoma (CAC) comprises a heterogeneous group of tumors that are not universally associated with HPV infection. As has been shown in other organs, it is becoming increasingly apparent that HPV status significantly affects the prognosis of adenocarcinoma. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the infection status of high-risk Human papillomavirus (hrHPV) in CAC and evaluate its impact on the survival of patients.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and Clinical Trials.gov were searched from inception to May 1st, 2022. Data on HPV infection status and survival outcomes were evaluated using STATA 16.0.

RESULTS

Seventy-one studies with 11,278 participants were included in HPV infection analysis and eight studies with 1099 participants were included in prognosis analysis. The HPV infection rate (including high-risk and low-risk) and hrHPV infection rate in CAC were 75% (95% CI 0.70-0.80, 6978 participants) and 75% (95% CI 0.70-0.81, 4906 participants), respectively. HPV-16 and -18 were the most common HPVs in CAC, with pooled infection rates of 37% (95% CI 0.33-0.41, 7848 participants) and 34% (95% CI 0.30-0.38, 7730 participants), respectively. hrHPV infection was associated with better overall survival (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.11-0.47, 1013 participants), better disease-free survival (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.43, 292 participants), better progression-free survival (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.47, 271 participants) and less recurrence (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.07-0.43, 181 participants).

CONCLUSION

HPV infection rates were high in CAC. HPV-16 and -18 had the highest infection rates in CAC. However, hrHPV infection was associated with better survival and less recurrence. Future studies should clarify the relationship between hrHPV infection and other prognostic factors and make reasonable treatment strategies for CAC with different HPV status.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

CRD42022319390.

[Focus on mucinous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix]

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women. Squamous cell carcinoma is the first type of cervical cancer (about 75% of cases), and adenocarcinoma the second. Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix were redefined in the 2014 WHO classification. Endocervical adenocarcinoma, usual type, is the mose common. Mucinous adenocarcinoma were classified by this classification into different subtypes: gatric type, intestinal type and signet-ring cell type. This literature review shows the caracteristics of these various subtypes of cervical cancer, little known. These are physiopathological, clinical, cytological histological, pronostic caracteristics, and their treatments.

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of cervix: pathologic features, clinical management, and outcome

Background

The objective of the study was to investigate the management and prognosis of patients with villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix.

Materials and methods

The clinical presentation, pathology, management, and prognosis of 41 patients with VGA or other types of cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

During the patient follow-up period, the proportion of VGA was 8.1% in the cervical ADC cohort (41/507). The median age of the patients with VGA was 41.0 years. The most common presenting symptom was cervical contactive bleeding. There were 38 patients classified as FIGO stage IA1-IB. The median follow-up period was 38.5 months. There were no patient deaths, and only one patient showed recurrence. One of the patients delivered a healthy baby at 34 weeks of gestation prior to treatment with radical hysterectomy. The HPV HC2 test results showed that most patients were positive for HPV infection. HPV 16, 18, and 56 were positive in the 8 patients with HPV type test results. There were significant differences in the grade, depth of stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis, and recurrence between the VGA cases of FIGO stage I and the other types of cervical ADC of FIGO stage I (p<0.05).

Conclusion

This study confirmed that VGA is a type of well-differentiated cervical cancer characterized by shallow stromal invasion, less lymph node metastasis. VGA is associated with less recurrence than other types of cervical ADC.

Increasing incidence of invasive and in situ cervical adenocarcinoma in the Netherlands during 2004-2013

In the developed world, the incidence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma has decreased, however, the incidence of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and invasive adenocarcinoma increased, predominantly in young females. The goal of this study was to evaluate the most recent incidence rates of AIS, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in the Netherlands in 2004-2013. By using Dutch national pathology and cancer registries, we calculated European standardized incidence rates (ESR) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for AIS during 2004-2013 and for invasive cervical carcinomas during 1989-2013. For AIS, presence or absence of concomitant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was explored. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of squamous cell carcinoma decreased significantly in 1989-2013, predominantly in 1989-2003. The EAPC of invasive adenocarcinoma decreased in 1989-2003, but remained stable in 2004-2013. The EAPC of AIS increased significantly, predominantly in women of 25-39 years old. Of these AIS cases, 58.9% had concomitant CIN and AIS with concomitant CIN showed a significantly higher EAPC compared to AIS without CIN. Our conclusion is that despite a nationwide screening program for cancer of the uterine cervix, the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the Netherlands remained stable during 2004-2013 and the incidence of adenocarcinoma in situ increased. This was most predominant in cases with concomitant CIN and in younger females. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma decreased in the same timeframe.

Prognostic Factors Influencing Decisions About Surgical Treatment of Villoglandular Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Objective

The objectives of this study were to analyze the clinicopathologic features of villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix, a variant of cervical adenocarcinoma with good prognosis, and to discuss the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with VGA.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records was performed to identify the patients with VGA between 1999 and 2007 at the Samsung Medical Center.

Results

Fifteen patients were identified among 171 women diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cervix. The median age was 40 years (range, 32–72 years). Four patients were treated by cone biopsy and 10 patients by hysterectomy with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy. Five patients had invasion of more than half of the depth of tumor in the cervix. Lymphovascular space invasion was present in 2 patients, one of whom also had lymph node metastases. Three recurrences were identified during the median follow-up of 64 months (range, 9–149 months). An HPV test was positive in 6 of 7 patients. Of the 6 patients with HPV infection, 2 were positive for HPV type 18, one for HPV type 6, and the remaining 3 were positive for 1 or more types of high-risk HPV.

Conclusions

Although VGA has been reported to have a favorable prognosis, we observed recurrences in those patients with close margins by the tumor, lymph node metastasis, or advanced stage. Human papillomavirus DNA, mostly HPV types 16 and 18, was associated with VGA. Further studies are warranted on prognostic factors and the pathogenetic role of HPV infections.

New developments in endocervical glandular lesions

McCluggage W G (2012) Histopathology New developments in endocervical glandular lesions There is evidence that the prevalence of premalignant and malignant endocervical glandular lesions is increasing in real as well as in apparent terms. In this review, new developments and selected controversial aspects of endocervical glandular lesions are covered, concentrating mainly on premalignant and malignant lesions. The terminology of premalignant endocervical glandular lesions is discussed with a comparison of the World Health Organization classification and the cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN) system, which is in widespread use in the United Kingdom. Primary cervical adenocarcinomas comprise a heterogeneous group of different morphological types, and while it is known that the majority of these are associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), it has become clear in recent years that most of the more uncommon morphological types are unassociated with HPV, although they may sometimes be p16-positive. A spectrum of benign, premalignant and malignant cervical glandular lesions exhibiting gastric differentiation is now recognized; these include type A tunnel clusters, typical and atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia, adenoma malignum and gastric-type adenocarcinoma. The latter is a recently described variant of primary cervical adenocarcinoma which has a different morphological appearance to the usual endocervical type and which is probably associated with different patterns of spread and a worse prognosis. There is accumulating evidence that 'early invasive' cervical adenocarcinomas have an excellent prognosis and are suitable for conservative management. Immunohistochemical markers of value in the distinction between a primary cervical and endometrial adenocarcinoma are discussed. While it is well known that a panel of markers comprising oestrogen receptor (ER), vimentin, p16 and monoclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is useful, several major pitfalls are pointed out and this panel of markers is predominantly of value in 'low-grade' adenocarcinomas. A related group of lesions, including cervical ectopic prostatic tissue and vaginal tubulosquamous polyp, are probably derived from para-urethral Skene's glands and may be positive with prostatic markers. Recent developments in cervical neuroendocrine neoplasms are discussed, as these are associated not uncommonly with a premalignant or malignant endocervical glandular lesion.

Canadian oncogenic human papillomavirus cervical infection prevalence: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection prevalence is required to determine optimal vaccination strategies. We systematically reviewed the prevalence of oncogenic cervical HPV infection among Canadian females prior to immunization.

METHODS

We included studies reporting DNA-confirmed oncogenic HPV prevalence estimates among Canadian females identified through searching electronic databases (e.g., MEDLINE) and public health websites. Two independent reviewers screened literature results, abstracted data and appraised study quality. Prevalence estimates were meta-analyzed among routine screening populations, HPV-positive, and by cytology/histology results.

RESULTS

Thirty studies plus 21 companion reports were included after screening 837 citations and 120 full-text articles. Many of the studies did not address non-response bias (74%) or use a representative sampling strategy (53%). Age-specific prevalence was highest among females aged < 20 years and slowly declined with increasing age. Across all populations, the highest prevalence estimates from the meta-analyses were observed for HPV types 16 (routine screening populations, 8 studies: 8.6% [95% confidence interval 6.5-10.7%]; HPV-infected, 9 studies: 43.5% [28.7-58.2%]; confirmed cervical cancer, 3 studies: 48.8% [34.0-63.6%]) and 18 (routine screening populations, 8 studies: 3.3% [1.5-5.1%]; HPV-infected, 9 studies: 13.6% [6.1-21.1%], confirmed cervical cancer, 4 studies: 17.1% [6.4-27.9%].

CONCLUSION

Our results support vaccinating females < 20 years of age, along with targeted vaccination of some groups (e.g., under-screened populations). The highest prevalence occurred among HPV types 16 and 18, contributing a combined cervical cancer prevalence of 65.9%. Further cancer protection is expected from cross-protection of non-vaccine HPV types. Poor study quality and heterogeneity suggests that high-quality studies are needed.

High-risk human papillomavirus seems not involved in DES-related and of limited importance in nonDES related clear-cell carcinoma of the cervix

OBJECTIVE

Over 90% of all cervical adenocarcinoma are caused by a transforming infection with a high-risk type human papillomavirus (hrHPV). Previous studies demonstrated that the association between hrHPV positivity and cervical clear-cell adenocarcinoma (CCAC) varies between 0% and 100%. As approximately 60% of all CCAC are associated with intra-uterine diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, we determined in a cohort of both DES-exposed and DES-unexposed women the prevalence of hrHPV infections, and the potential etiological role of hrHPV by additional analysis of p16INK4a and p53 expression.

METHODS

Representative slides of 28 women diagnosed with CCAC were tested for hrHPV by two PCR methods (the clinically validated GP5+/6+ PCR and the very sensitive SPF(10)PCR/LiPA(25)). Fifteen women were DES-exposed, 10 unexposed and of 3 women DES-exposure was unknown. Twenty-one cases with sufficient material were immuno-histochemically stained for p16INK4a and p53.

RESULTS

Seven tumors, of which four DES-exposed and two unexposed tested positive for hrHPV with GP5+/6+ PCR. Thirteen tumors, of which five DES-exposed and seven unexposed, tested positive with SPF(10)PCR/LiPA(25). In one women with unknown exposure, a CCAC tested positive in both assays. Only three cases, none in DES-exposed women, and all positive with both hrHPV assays, revealed diffuse p16INK4a immuno-staining and weak p53 staining as well, supporting indisputable hrHPV involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the prevalence of hrHPV was high, only two DES-unrelated CCAC (25%) and one tumor in a woman with unknown exposure could be attributed to hrHPV.

Neoplastic Lesions of the Cervix

This review presents a discussion of the gross and microscopic features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of neoplastic lesions of the cervix. Biomarkers are discussed for each entity presented - cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous carcinoma, glandular neoplasms, adenocarcinoma in situ, adenosquamous carcinoma, and others.

p16 Immunoreactivity in unusual types of cervical adenocarcinoma does not reflect human papillomavirus infection

AIMS

The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical carcinoma is well known, with HPV being identifiable in almost all cervical squamous carcinomas and most adenocarcinomas. However, the prevalence of HPV in unusual morphological types of cervical adenocarcinoma has not been investigated extensively. The aim was to determine HPV status in a series of primary cervical adenocarcinomas, enriched for unusual morphological types. The relationship between HPV and p16 immunoreactivity in these neoplasms was also investigated, as it is generally assumed that in cervical neoplasms diffuse p16 expression is predictive of the presence of high-risk HPV.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-three cervical adenocarcinomas, comprising those of usual type (n = 43), minimal deviation type (n = 4), gastric type (n = 3), intestinal type (n = 3), mesonephric type (n = 3), clear cell type (n = 4), serous type (n = 2) and hepatoid type (n = 1) underwent linear array HPV genotyping and immunohistochemistry for p16. Overall, HPV was identified in 32 of 56 cases (57%) in which sufficient DNA was present for analysis. The most common HPV types were 16 and 18, with these being identified in 20 and 18 cases, respectively, either alone or in combination. Seventy-eight per cent of usual-type adenocarcinomas were HPV-positive, as was the single serous carcinoma in which there was sufficient DNA for analysis. In contrast, all minimal deviation adenocarcinomas and those of gastric, intestinal, mesonephric and clear cell types were HPV-negative, as was the single hepatoid carcinoma. All usual-type adenocarcinomas exhibited p16 immunoreactivity (diffuse staining in all but one case), as did 11 of 20 of those of unusual morphological type (five focal, six diffuse).

CONCLUSIONS

Most, but not all, cervical adenocarcinomas of usual type contain HPV, but those of unusual morphological type are almost always HPV-negative. This has implications for the efficacy of HPV vaccination in the prevention of cervical adenocarcinoma. A significant proportion of cervical adenocarcinomas are p16-positive in the absence of HPV, illustrating that in these neoplasms diffuse p16 immunoreactivity is not a reliable surrogate marker of the presence of high-risk HPV.

Prevalence, viral load, and physical status of HPV 16 and 18 in cervical adenosquamous carcinoma

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare mixture of malignant squamous and glandular epithelial elements and accounts for approximately 10% of cervical carcinomas. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence, physical status, and viral load of HPV 16 and 18 in adenosquamous carcinoma. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 20 cases of histologically diagnosed adenosquamous carcinoma were examined. The squamous and glandular components were separately microdissected and analyzed for their HPV DNA subtype, viral load, and physical status using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The percentages of HPV 16- and 18-positive cases among all the HPV-positive cases were 36.8% (7/19) and 57.9% (11/19) in the squamous epithelial elements and 33.3% (6/18) and 61.1% (11/18) in the glandular elements, respectively. PCR analysis with E2 primers revealed that seven of eleven (63.6%) HPV 18-positive cases had the pure integrated form in both elements. The mean HPV 16 DNA copy numbers/cell was 7.22 in the squamous elements and 1.33 in the glandular elements (p=0.04) while the corresponding mean HPV 18 DNA copy numbers/cell was 1.50 and 0.89, respectively. The prevalence of HPV 18 in adenosquamous carcinoma was high and many HPV 18-positive cases were the pure integrated form resulting in very low copy numbers/cell. It is possible that more aggressive transformation with early integration of HPV 18 results in cases with greater chromosomal instabilities, higher growth rates, and rapid progression.

Human papillomavirus localization in cervical adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma using in situ polymerase chain reaction: review of the literature of human papillomavirus detection in these carcinomas

Many studies have suggested that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of the cervical adenocarcinoma. However, the prevalence of HPV infection in cervical adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma varies among the studies. Cervical adenocarcinoma (24 cases) and adenosquamous carcinoma (16 cases), including the underlying non-neoplastic epithelium were examined for HPV-DNA using in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which enabled visualization of the localization on a glass slide. In adenocarcinoma, HPV-DNA was found in 13 cases (54%) and in eight cases in underlying non-neoplastic epithelium, resulting in a total of 21 positive cases (88%). In adenosquamous carcinoma, HPV-DNA was detected in 12 cases (75%) and and the HPV-DNA localization of each component was pure adenocarcinoma, 28.6%; mixed, 54.5%; and pure squamous cell carcinoma, 83.3%. In the underlying non-neoplastic epithelium, HPV-DNA was found more frequently in the squamous epithelium (73.3%) than the cervical glands (6.3%). In conclusion, HPV-DNA was detected in 54% of adenocarcinoma, and the rate was elevated by HPV localization in the underlying non-neoplastic epithelium. HPV infection in the underlying squamous epithelium might be related to the carcinogenesis, even in cervical adenocarcinoma. HPV-DNA localization was different in each component of adenosquamous carcinoma.

Synchronous invasive squamous cell carcinoma and clear cell adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a different human papillomavirus status

BACKGROUND

A multiple primary invasive carcinoma of the cervix is a rare condition and is seldom composed of squamous cell carcinoma and clear cell adenocarcinoma.

CASE

A 47-year-old woman presented with contact bleeding. The anterior lip of the cervix revealed a 2.0-cm protruded mass. Preoperative pathological and imaging studies demonstrated the squamous cell carcinoma of the exocervix alone. Radical hysterectomy was performed on the diagnosis of stage 1B cervical cancer. Histological examination of the specimen manifested a coexisting invasive clear cell adenocarcinoma in the endocervix. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 was detected in the squamous cell carcinoma; however, no HPV was detected in the clear cell adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This finding suggests that there was an obvious difference in association of HPV with the two neoplasms.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA in various histological subtypes of cervical adenocarcinoma: a population-based study

The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in the development of cervical carcinoma is well established, however, the prevalence of HPV DNA in cervical adenocarcinoma varies from study to study. It appears to be caused by a number of factors, one of which is that cervical adenocarcinomas comprise a heterogeneous group of multiple subtypes. To clarify the impact of HPV infection on the development of cervical adenocarcinoma with diverse histological subtypes, we performed a population-based study in Korean women from 15 different institutes for the status of HPV infection in adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix. A total of 432 cervical adenocarcinomas from 1997 to 2001 were reviewed and classified according to the modified WHO classification. For 135 cases, HPV typing was performed with HPV DNA chip (82 cases) and PCR HPV typing (53 cases), using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue. The overall prevalence of HPV infection in cervical adenocarcinoma was 90%. The infection of HPV 16 and/or HPV 18 accounted for 78% of HPV-positive adenocarcinomas. Multiple HPV types were found in 13% of the cases. The HPV DNA was rarely detected in minimal deviation adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, HPV 16 was a predominant type in endometrioid and villoglandular types, whereas HPV 16 and HPV 18 were detected with equal prevalence in other subtypes. In conclusion, HPV infection, mostly HPV 16 and HPV 18, is highly associated with most of the cervical adenocarcinomas, whereas endometrioid and villoglandular type have a different pattern of HPV infection status. Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma does not seem to be related with HPV infection.

Distinction of Endocervical and Endometrial Adenocarcinomas

Determining the origin of uterine adenocarcinomas can be difficult in biopsy and curettage specimens because the morphologic spectrum of endocervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas overlaps. In hysterectomy specimens, the primary site is often equivocal for tumors that involve the lower uterine segment and endocervix and lack identifiable precursor lesions. Most endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs) contain high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, whereas endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMAs) rarely do. p16 is an inhibitor ofcyclin-dependent kinases, and overexpression of p16 has been observed in cervical intraepithelial lesions and invasive carcinomas associated with high-risk HPV types. We evaluated the utility of immunohistochemistry for p16 in the distinction of ECAs and EMAs. p16 expression was assessed in 24 unequivocal EMAs and 19 unequivocal ECAs and correlated with HPV DNA detection by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. These assays were then used to assist in the classification of four lower uterine segment/upper endocervical adenocarcinomas (LUS/EC-A) of equivocal origin. p16 expression was moderate-strong and diffuse in 18 ECAs (median 90% of tumor cells positive, range 90%-100%), and weak and diffuse in one. Fourteen of these were positive for HPV DNA, whereas 5 lacked detectable HPV DNA by in situ hybridization; one of these 5 was positive by polymerase chain reaction. In contrast, EMAs displayed weaker staining with patchy distribution (median 30% of tumor cells positive, range 5%-70%) and none contained HPV DNA by in situ hybridization. Two LUS/EC-As, which were positive for HPV, exhibited strong, diffuse p16 expression, consistent with endocervical origin of the tumors. The remaining 2 LUS/EC-As showed patchy p16 staining and did not contain detectable HPV DNA, consistent with the endometrial origin of the tumors. The p16 expression pattern can distinguish ECAs from EMAs. Compared with HPV DNA detection by in situ hybridization, p16 immunohistochemistry appears to be a more sensitive and easier to perform method for distinguishing ECAs from EMAs, can be used to assist in the classification of LUS/EC-As of equivocal origin, and should be evaluated for its utility in the prospective classification of uterine adenocarcinomas in curettage specimens prior to hysterectomy.

The value of HPV DNA typing in the distinction between adenocarcinoma of endocervical and endometrial origin

AIMS

Distinguishing between adenocarcinomas of endocervical and endometrial origin histologically can be difficult, particularly in small biopsies. Most endocervical adenocarcinomas contain human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of 'high-risk' (HR) types, whereas this has not been consistently demonstrated in endometrial adenocarcinomas. The aim of this study was to determine whether HPV DNA testing could aid in this differential diagnosis.

METHODS

The frequency of HPV DNA in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 50 endocervical and 50 endometrial adenocarcinomas was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification techniques involving (i) a screening HPV test followed by HPV DNA sequencing, and (ii) a test designed to detect HR genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45 and 58. Control specimens included cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III lesions, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the cervix and lung, and colonic adenocarcinomas. Measures to minimise cross-contamination were implemented.

RESULTS

The screening test followed by HPV DNA sequencing had the highest sensitivity. By this test HR HPV DNA was detected in 11 of 11 (100%) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) lesions, nine of 10 (90%) cervical SCCs, none of 10 (0%) colorectal adenocarcinomas and none of 10 (0%) SCCs of the lung. Thirty-nine (78%) endocervical adenocarcinomas contained HR HPV DNA, compared to one (2.0%) endometrial adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that HPV DNA testing could be a useful adjunct in distinguishing between endocervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas in curettings or small biopsy specimens.

Coexisting high-grade glandular and squamous cervical lesions and human papillomavirus infections

The frequency of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) genotypes in patients with adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) with coexisting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), ACIS without coexisting CIN, and high-grade CIN (CIN II/III) was studied, in order to gain more insight into the relation between hr-HPV infections and the development of coexisting squamous and glandular lesions. The SPF(10) LiPA PCR was used to detect simultaneously 25 different HPV genotypes in biopsies obtained from 90 patients with CIN II/III, 47 patients with ACIS without coexisting CIN, and 49 patients with ACIS and coexisting CIN. hr-HPV was detected in 84 patients (93%) with CIN II/III, 38 patients (81%) with ACIS without CIN, and in 47 patients (96%) with ACIS and coexisting CIN. A total of 13 different hr-HPV genotypes were detected in patients with CIN II/III, and only five in patients with ACIS with/without coexisting CIN. HPV 31, multiple hr-HPV genotypes, and HPV genotypes other than 16, 18, and 45 were significantly more often detected in patients with CIN II/III, while HPV 18 was significantly more often detected in patients with ACIS with/without CIN. There were no significant differences in the frequency of specific hr-HPV genotypes between patients with ACIS with or without coexisting CIN. In conclusion, the frequency of specific hr-HPV genotypes is similar for patients with ACIS without CIN and patients with ACIS and coexisting CIN, but is significantly different for patients with CIN II/III without ACIS. These findings suggest that squamous lesions, coexisting with high-grade glandular lesions, are aetiologically different from squamous lesions without coexisting glandular lesions.

Pathology of Cervical Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant cervical tumor, but the incidence of adenocarcinomas has been rising during the past few decades. This article discusses the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the squamous cell carcinoma, its clinical and histologic features, including microinvasive carcinoma, its histologic grade, and variant tumors. The prognostic impact of these features and the differential diagnosis are also covered. The second portion of this article is devoted to the glandular tumors of the cervix, including adenocarcinoma in situ and invasive adenocarcinoma and its variants. The differential diagnosis of these tumors with tumor like glandular lesions is given special attention. Finally, less common malignant cervical tumors are covered, with an emphasis being placed on their significance.

p16 immunoreactivity may assist in the distinction between endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma

The distinction between an endometrial and an endocervical origin of an adenocarcinoma may be difficult, especially with small biopsy specimens or when tumor is present in both endometrial and cervical specimens. Previous studies have investigated the value of antibodies such as carcinoembryonic antigen, estrogen receptor, and vimentin in making this distinction. We investigated the value of p16 immunohistochemistry for distinguishing between an endometrial and an endocervical origin of an adenocarcinoma. Cases included in the study were endometrial adenocarcinomas of endometrioid type (n=29) and cervical adenocarcinomas of endocervical type (n=23). Cases were scored on a scale from 0 to 5 depending on the percentage of positive tumor cells: 0 (negative or occasional cells positive); 1 (<5% cells positive); 2 (5-20% cells positive); 3 (21-50% cells positive); 4 (51-99% cells positive); 5 (100% cells positive). Twenty-two of 23 (96%) endocervical adenocarcinomas were scored 5; the other was scored 0. The numbers of endometrial adenocarcinomas with scores of 0 to 5, respectively, were 1, 7, 4, 9, 5, and 3. Most primary endocervical adenocarcinomas were characterized by strong, diffuse positivity of 100% of cells with p16. Endometrial adenocarcinomas are usually positive, but positivity is generally focal and commonly involves <50% of cells. However, occasional endometrial adenocarcinomas exhibit 100% positivity. Diffuse, strong positivity with p16 suggests an endocervical rather than an endometrial origin of an adenocarcinoma. When there is morphological doubt this antibody may be of value as part of a panel for ascertaining the origin of an adenocarcinoma. Diffuse, strong positivity with p16 in endocervical adenocarcinomas is likely caused by inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein by the E7 human papillomavirus oncoprotein, which acts as a p16 transcript repressor.

Neoplastic change of squamo-columnar junction in uterine cervix and vaginal epithelium by exogenous estrogen in hpv-18 URR E6/E7 transgenic mice

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to study whether estrogen could induce progression of cervical neoplasia by the influence of direct hormonal transactivation of the viral genes.

METHODS

We examined the in vivo effect of estrogen on HPV-18 URR E6/E7 transgenic mice. We analyzed the growth stimulation of epithelial cells at squamo-columnar junction and vagina and the expression of HPV E6/E7 in transgenic mice. The promoter activity of HPV-18 URR after treatment of estrogen was also evaluated by in vitro transient transfection assay.

RESULTS

The dysplastic lesions of lower genital tract were more frequently seen in the HPV-18 URR E6/E7 transgenic mice and estrogen-treated mice, when compared to those of control group (P < 0.05). The majority of cells in whole epithelial layer of cervix and vagina were proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive (PCNA) by immunohistochemical staining in the estrogen-treated transgenic mice. Hyperplastic glandular lesions were also identified in estrogen-treated HPV-18 URR E6/E7 transgenic mice (5 of 21) and estrogen-treated nontransgenic mice (2 of 10). The level of E6/E7 transcripts in transgenic mouse was increased in the presence of estradiol. Treatment with 0.5 x 10(-6) M estradiol in the presence of cotransfection with the estrogen receptor expression vector and URR-CAT showed an additive effect of CAT activity (4.8-fold increase).

CONCLUSION

The HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes implicated in cervical cancer are indeed capable of potentiating tumor formation in animal model. Continual estrogen-induced proliferation might be viewed by in vivo and in vitro mechanisms by which squamous cells as well as glandular cells in cervix and vagina became permissive for neoplastic progression in HPV-18 URR E6/E7 transgenic mice and their molecular systems.

Symposium part IV: investigative approaches to endocervical pathology

There is continuing interest in the study of adenocarcinoma of the cervix and its precursors because of its increase in incidence, both absolute and relative, to squamous neoplasia and the complexity of benign glandular lesions with which endocervical neoplasia may be confused. Investigative techniques may be applied as aids to diagnosis, as prognostic markers, and to further our understanding of etiopathogenesis. This article focuses on recent developments in the four areas of epithelial glycoproteins, molecular markers, cell proliferation markers, and human papillomaviruses as applied to endocervical pathology. Although immunohistochemistry remains dominant, a wide range of other techniques is discussed.

Immunohistochemical staining with MIB1, bcl2 and p16 assists in the distinction of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia from tubo-endometrial metaplasia, endometriosis and microglandular hyperplasia

AIMS

Preinvasive endocervical glandular lesions, termed cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia, are increasing in incidence. The distinction of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia from benign mimics, especially tubo-endometrial metaplasia, endometriosis and microglandular hyperplasia, can be difficult. This study investigates the value of immunohistochemical staining with MIB1, bcl2 and p16 in the distinction of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia from these benign mimics.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Immunohistochemical staining using the monoclonal antibodies MIB1, bcl2 and p16 was performed on cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 21), tubo-endometrial metaplasia (n = 13), endometriosis (n = 7) and microglandular hyperplasia (n = 14). With tubo-endometrial metaplasia and microglandular hyperplasia staining with MIB1 was either negative or involved <10% of cells, while with cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia the majority of cases (86%) exhibited >10% positive cells. Two cases of endometriosis exhibited a MIB1 index of 10-30% while in the other cases <10% cells stained. With bcl2 the cells of microglandular hyperplasia were negative although there was staining of associated reserve cells in 43% of cases. All cases of tubo-endometrial metaplasia except one and all cases of endometriosis stained diffusely positive with bcl2. Cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia were negative or exhibited focal staining. With p16 all cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia exhibited diffuse strong positivity, generally involving 100% of cells, while all cases of microglandular hyperplasia were negative. Sixty-two percent of cases of tubo-endometrial metaplasia showed focal positivity, the remainder being negative. Cases of tubo-endometrial metaplasia were never diffusely positive with p16. In three cases of endometriosis there was staining of >50% of cells while the other cases were either focally positive or negative.

CONCLUSIONS

A panel of antibodies, comprising MIB1, bcl2 and p16, is a useful adjunct to histology in distinguishing cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia from tubo-endometrial metaplasia, endometriosis and microglandular hyperplasia. Cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia are diffusely positive for p16 and generally exhibit a high proliferation index with MIB1, while bcl2 is negative or, at most, focally positive. Tubo-endometrial metaplasia and endometriosis are characterized by strong diffuse positivity with bcl2 and a low proliferation index with MIB1 (although occasional cases of endometriosis show moderate proliferative activity). p16 is negative or exhibits focal positivity in tubo-endometrial metaplasia but in endometriosis there may be quite widespread positivity. Microglandular hyperplasia shows a low proliferation index with MIB1 and is negative for bcl2 and p16.

Gynecologic brachytherapy I: Proper incorporation of brachytherapy into the current multimodality management of carcinoma of the cervix

The incidence of carcinoma of the cervix has continuously declined over the past decades because of effective screening. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) clinical staging, though universally used, is considered inadequate either to determine the type of treatment or to predict treatment outcome. Over the last 10 years, treatment of cervical cancer has become increasingly sophisticated with advances in external beam and brachytherapy in the radiotherapeutic management of this carcinoma. In particular, brachytherapy plays a major role in enhancing both local control and survival. Experience to date suggests that either high-dose-rate (HDR) or low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, when properly applied, can be effective and give similar rates of local control with minimal complications. This article analyzes the current literature regarding treatment techniques of radiotherapy with special emphasis on brachytherapy integration to optimize radiotherapy treatment outcome.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA in different histological subtypes of cervical adenocarcinoma

The prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in different histological subtypes of cervical adenocarcinoma and related tumors was examined using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 105 primary cervical adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas. Broad-spectrum HPV DNA amplification and genotyping was performed with the SPF10 primer set and line probe assay (LiPA), respectively. HPV DNA was detected in 82 of 90 (91%) mucinous adenocarcinomas, encompassing endocervical, intestinal, and endometrioid histological subtypes, and in nine of nine adenosquamous tumors (100%). HPV DNA was not detected in any nonmucinous adenocarcinomas including clear cell, serous, and mesonephric carcinomas (0/6). The most common viral types detected in adenocarcinoma were HPV 16 (50%) and HPV 18 (40%), followed by HPV 45 (10%), HPV52 (2%), and HPV 35 (1%). Multiple HPV types were detected in 9.7% of the cases. In conclusion, mucinous adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas of the cervix demonstrate a very high prevalence of HPV DNA, similar to that reported for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Only rare histological variants of cervical adenocarcinoma seem unrelated to HPV infection.

Well-differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: oncogene/tumor suppressor gene alterations and human papillomavirus genotyping

Twelve well-differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinomas (WDVAs) of the uterine cervix were retrospectively analyzed for the presence and specific genotype of human papillomavirus (HPV), tumor suppressor loss (p53, MCC, APC, BRCA1), cancer gene mutation (K-ras-2, exons 1 and 2, p53 exons 5 to 8), and oncogene amplification (c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu, int-2). Tissue for genetic evaluation was obtained by microdissection, using 4-micron-thick histology sections of archival, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Genotyping involved nucleic acid amplification and DNA sequencing with gene-specific oligonucleotides and L1 region consensus primers for common strains of HPV. Point mutation and HPV strain determination were accomplished by DNA sequence analysis. Tumor suppressor gene loss and oncogene amplification were performed by allelic imbalance analysis in informative subjects based on DNA sequence and microsatellite-length polymorphisms. HPV was present in all tumors and consisted of type 16 (n = 5, 42%) and type 18 (n = 7, 58%) strains, which have been closely associated with cervical neoplasia. K-ras-2 and p53 genes did not manifest point mutational damage. There was no evidence of oncogene amplification or tumor suppressor gene loss. The presence of HPV in all 12 tumors supports the role of HPV infection in the molecular pathogenesis of this uncommon neoplasm. The absence of associated oncogene or tumor suppressor gene damage is consistent with indolent biological behavior and the favorable prognosis of this unusual tumor.

Glandular lesions of the uterine cervix

During the past 20 years, pathologists have more carefully examined and more precisely classified glandular lesions of the endocervix, largely reflecting increased concerns about the diagnosis and pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma of the cervix. This review of glandular lesions of the cervix focuses on the following six issues surrounding the histologic diagnosis of the more common types of adenocarcinoma of the endocervix and their mimics: (1) the classification and recognition of preinvasive glandular lesions, (2) the distinction of invasive from preinvasive adenocarcinoma, (3) the definition and significance of microinvasive adenocarcinoma, (4) the epidemiology and pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma, (5) the identification and behavior of the more common subtypes of invasive adenocarcinoma, and (6) the recognition of benign lesions that mimic adenocarcinoma It is the author's opinion that most in situ and invasive adenocarcinomas of the cervix can be recognized and distinguished from benign mimics. In contrast, glandular dysplasia and microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix are currently ill-defined and irreproducible terms that should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Although only brief descriptions of the biologic behavior of the various lesions and their therapy are included in this review, certain variants of endocervical adenocarcinoma have distinctive behaviors and should be classified appropriately to provide prognostication and help to guide therapy.

Molecular diagnosis and prognosis in gynecologic oncology

Currently, molecular pathology plays a limited role in improving patient outcome in gynecologic oncology. However, molecular investigation is providing important insights into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and progression of female genital cancers. Future roles should include prediction of poor outcome in low-risk cases, more accurate staging of multifocal tumors, identification of new precursor lesions, and prediction of response to specific therapeutic regimens. Gene therapy of some malignant tumors may become important in the near future. In the immediate future, however, the most significant role of molecular pathology may be in the screening and triage of putative cervical cancer precursors and in the possible prophylaxis of these lesions by means of a vaccine or vaccines against human papillomaviruses.

Estimation of the duration of the preclinical phase of cervical adenocarcinoma suggests that there is ample opportunity for screening

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the mean time for progression from cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) to invasive cervical adenocarcinoma in order to assess the feasibility of screening and secondary prevention.

METHODS

To approximate time to progression from in situ to invasive lesions, we calculated and compared mean ages at diagnosis of ACIS and invasive adenocarcinoma from patients registered in the SEER (NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) public-use database from 1973 to 1995 [1]. Findings are contrasted with means calculated from patients with squamous lesions registered during the same period. Statistical significance was tested with the t test for independent samples.

RESULTS

The database includes 5845 patients with glandular lesions; 1476 (25%) have ACIS and 4369 (75%) have invasive adenocarcinoma. There are 143,333 women with squamous lesions; 120,317 (84%) have squamous CIS and 23,016 (16%) have invasive squamous cancers. Mean age (std error) at diagnosis is 38.8 (0.3) years for ACIS and 51.7 (0.3) years for invasive adenocarcinoma; the mean difference is 13.0 (0.5) years. Mean age (std error) for squamous CIS is 33.6 (0.0) and for invasive squamous cancer is 51.4 (0.1); mean difference is 17.9 (0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

While not quite as long as for squamous lesions, the average of 13 years that elapses during progression from cervical ACIS to invasive adenocarcinoma allows ample time for screening for the preinvasive lesion and for secondary prevention of invasive cervical adenocarcinoma. The similar mean ages at diagnosis suggest that women who will develop cervical adenocarcinoma should be as amenable and accessible to screening programs as are those with squamous lesions.

Relation of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia to microinvasive and invasive adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a study of 121 cases

AIMS

To examine the relation between invasive adenocarcinoma and its alleged precursor, cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN), and to assess the management and outcome of CGIN and the validity of using the term "microinvasive adenocarcinoma."

METHODS

The clinical and pathological features of 121 cases of glandular neoplasia of the cervix diagnosed between the years 1990 to 1995 were examined for the following: histological diagnosis, smear records, type of treatment, the association between the precursor lesions and invasive disease, and follow up.

RESULTS

27 cases were identified as low grade CGIN (L-CGIN) and 38 as high grade CGIN (H-CGIN), 10 as microinvasive adenocarcinoma (less than 5 mm in depth), and 46 as invasive adenocarcinoma. The ratio of non-invasive to invasive disease was 1.12:1. The mean age of women was 39, 43, 43, and 48 years for L-CGIN, H-CGIN, microinvasive, and invasive adenocarcinoma, respectively. L-CGIN was seen in 13% and 18% of H-CGIN and microinvasive disease, respectively. H-CGIN was seen in 100% of microinvasive and 26% of invasive adenocarcinomas. The available smears before diagnosis predicted 59% of L-CGIN, 70% of H-CIGN, 100% of microinvasive adenocarcinoma, and 32% of invasive adenocarcinomas. Treatment of 74% of L-CGIN, 52% of H-CIGN, and 10% of microinvasive adenocarcinoma was by diathermy loop excision only. The remaining cases had hysterectomy. Residual disease was found in 43%, 50%, and 33% of hysterectomies for L-CGIN, H-CGIN, and microinvasive adenocarcinoma, respectively. This is correlated with positive margins, or disease within 3 mm of margins on loop specimens. Cervical smear follow up for two to seven years revealed no recurrence of glandular lesions in any of the cases of CGIN or microinvasive adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Precursor glandular lesions tend to progress to invasive carcinoma. There is a progressive increase in age of patients from L-CGIN to invasive disease, a span of approximately 10 years. There is a high association between H-CGIN and invasive disease. In the management of such alleged precursors, it is important to ensure adequate free margins of at least 3 mm. Microinvasive adenocarcinoma appears to have an excellent prognosis if treated by hysterectomy.

Molecular events in uterine cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature regarding the molecular events which occur in the development of uterine cervical cancer, with particular reference to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

METHODOLOGY

Bibliographic searches of Medline and the ISI citation databases using appropriate keywords, including the following: papillomavirus, cervix, pathology, cyclin, chromosome, heterozygosity, telomerase, smoking, hormones, HLA, immune response, HIV, HSV, EBV.

CONCLUSIONS

It has become clear that most cervical neoplasia, whether intraepithelial or invasive, is attributable in part to HPV infection. However, HPV infection alone is not sufficient, and, in a small proportion of cases, may not be necessary for malignant transformation. There is increasing evidence that HPV gene products interfere with cell cycle control leading to secondary accumulation of small and large scale genetic abnormalities. This may explain the association of viral persistence with lesion progression but, in many patients, secondary factors, such as smoking and immune response, are clearly important. However, the mechanisms involved in the interaction between HPV and host factors are poorly understood.

Absence of human papillomavirus genomic sequences detected by the polymerase chain reaction in oesophageal and gastric carcinomas in Japan

AIMS

To estimate the occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in oesophageal or gastric carcinomas in patients in Japan.

METHODS

103 oesophageal and 99 gastric carcinomas were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using two consensus (targeting either the L1 or the E6-E7 regions) and two type specific (type 16 and 18) primer sets. A beta globin gene specific primer set was also applied to examine the quality of the extracted DNA.

RESULTS

Amplification of beta globin gene was clearly visible in 92 (89.3%) of the 103 oesophageal, and 89 (89.8%) of the 99 gastric carcinoma specimens. However, the entire series of tumour DNA was negative for HPV sequences by PCR assay using all four primer sets.

CONCLUSION

HPV is not likely to be involved in oesophageal or gastric tumorigenesis in Japanese patients.

Correlation between human papillomavirus positivity and p53 gene overexpression in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix

In the pathogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma, an inverse correlation between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and mutation of the p53 anti-oncogene has been suggested. Much less is known of a possible correlation in the case of adenocarcinoma of cervix. Twenty-five cervical adenocarcinomas and 7 adenosquamous carcinomas were analyzed for presence of HPV DNA sequences and overexpression of the p53 gene. Polymerase chain reaction revealed that 11 were positive for HPV DNA (34%). Seven were positive for HPV 16 and 5 for HPV 18. A mixed infection with HPV 16 and 18 was observed in 1 case. Patients with HPV-positive carcinoma were significantly younger than those with HPV-negative carcinoma (43 +/- 13.3 years versus 57 +/- 17.4 years, P = 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining showed that p53 was overexpressed in 11 of 32 cases (34%). Overexpression of the p53 gene was found in only 1 of 11 HPV-positive cases (9%) yet was evident in 10 of 21 HPV-negative cases (48%). This inverse association was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Prognostic analysis revealed that HPV-negative adenocarcinomas had a poorer prognosis than HPV-positive cases (P < 0.01) and that tumors with p53 overexpression also had a poorer prognosis than those without such overexpression (P < 0.01). Our observations suggest that HPV-negative or p53-positive adenocarcinomas may be a biologically distinct subset with a poorer prognosis.

Sexual, reproductive, and other risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the cervix: results from a population-based case-control study (California, United States)

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cervix increased steadily in young women in the United States between the early 1970s and the mid-1980s. Despite this increase, little is known about the etiology of this cancer, although a role for risk factors for both squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and endometrial adenocarcinoma has been suggested. Incident cases of adenocarcinoma of the cervix diagnosed in women born after 1935 (ages 42 to 56 at diagnosis) were identified from the Los Angeles (California) County Cancer Surveillance Program (LACCSP). Data from personal interviews with 195 cases and 386 controls (matched on age, race, and neighborhood) were analyzed. Compared with women in the highest categories of education and income, women in the lowest categories had a 2.5 and 3.1-fold elevated risk of adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Number of sexual partners, especially before age 20, was strongly predictive of risk (odds ratio = 5.6, 95 percent confidence interval = 1.4-22.0 for 10 or more compared with no partners before age 20). Smoking was not associated significantly with risk. Weight gain and long-term use of oral contraceptives increased risk, while long-term diaphragm use was protective. This study suggests that both sexual and hormonal factors are important etiologic factors for adenocarcinoma of the cervix.