Small cell carcinoma of the vagina

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Vagina: First Systematic Review of Case Reports and Proposal of a Management Algorithm

OBJECTIVES

Small cell carcinoma of the vagina (SmCCV) is an extremely rare disease. Evidence-based data and specific guidelines are lacking. We conducted the first systematic review of case reports to provide the most overall picture of SmCCV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature search in PubMed and Scopus was performed using the terms "small cell carcinoma" and "vagina." English-language case reports of primary SmCCV up to January 2022 were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles describing 44 cases met our inclusion criteria. We report a new case of our hospital. The global median overall survival (mOS) was 12.00 months (95% CI = 9.31-14.69). The mOS was not reached for stage I, and it was 12.00, 12.00, 9.00, and 8.00 months for stages II, III, IVA, and IVB, respectively (statistically significant differences between stage I and stages II, III, or IVA [log rank p = .003-.017]). Thirty-five cases received local treatments (77.8%). The mOS of patients treated with surgery ± complementary chemotherapy, radiotherapy ± complementary chemotherapy, chemoradiation ± complementary chemotherapy, and surgery + radiotherapy ± complementary chemotherapy were 11.00, 12.00, 17.00, and 29.00 months, respectively. The use of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (64.5%, mostly platinum + etoposide) showed longer mOS (77.00 vs 15.00 months). Four of 5 tested cases presented human papillomavirus infection, 3 of them presenting type 18.

CONCLUSIONS

Small cell carcinoma of the vagina shows dismal prognosis. Multimodal local management plus complementary chemotherapy seems to achieve better outcomes. Human papillomavirus could be related to the development of SmCCV. A diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm is proposed.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of vagina with prolonged survival

We report the case of a woman in her 70s with a stage IVA small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina. The patient started chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Pelvic MRI after completion of treatment did not show residual disease. Three years and 8 months after definitive treatment, the patient remains on regular follow-up without evidence of disease.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of vagina: Report of a unique case with literature review

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of vagina is extremely rare. The association between this tumor and high-risk HPV infection is unclear. To our knowledge, HPV status has been reported in only 3 previous cases of SCC of vagina. Herein, we present a unique case of vaginal small cell carcinoma with discordant HPV testing results between vaginal and cervical samples. We also review and discuss findings from previously reported cases of small cell carcinoma of vagina.

Clinical outcomes of transarterial chemotherapy and embolization for vaginal cancer

AIM

We report clinical outcomes of transarterial embolization in 19 cases of vaginal cancer.

METHODS

From August 2011 to October 2019, 19 patients with histologically diagnosed vaginal cancer were identified in our department. Transarterial chemotherapy and embolization was performed for all patients. Patient characteristics, treatment plans and the clinical outcomes, were recorded.

RESULTS

Among 19 identified cases, nine of them are squamous cell carcinoma, five of adenocarcinoma, one of adenosquamous carcinoma, two of vaginal malignant melanoma, one leiomyosarcoma and one of stromal sarcoma. Transarterial chemotherapy and embolization was successfully performed in all patients. No related complication was found after intervention treatment. Besides, eight patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, four received both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy and seven received no therapies. Four patients were cured and seven were stable during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Transarterial embolization appears safe and effective for vaginal cancer, with a currently acceptable prognosis.

Novel Treatment of Small-Cell Neuroendocrine of the Vagina

BACKGROUND

Primary vaginal small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive malignancy. Eighty-five percent of patients die within one year of diagnosis from metastatic disease despite multimodal therapy. Gene expression profiling of tumor tissue may be useful for treatment options for various malignancies.

CASE

A 34-year-old nulliparous woman was diagnosed with primary vaginal small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Twenty weeks after the initial visit, she was diagnosed with recurrence and started on chemoradiation based on the results of gene expression profile of tumor tissue. She died 34 months after the initial visit and had a 14-month progression-free survival (PFS).

CONCLUSION

Gene expression profile of tumor tissue in the management of primary vaginal small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma may be helpful in extending progression-free survival.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina

The primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina is rare, and it is a highly aggressive malignancy with no consensus regarding the treatment of this tumor. The survival rate for patients treated in the early stages is around two years. We related the case report of a patient of 41 years with a vegetative and necrotic lesion in left vaginal wall, in middle and upper third, and involvement of parametrium in its proximal third and medium third. A biopsy showed a small cell undifferentiated carcinoma composed of epithelial cells with round nuclei, oval or elongated, hyperchromatic nuclei, with little distinct nucleoli, and scarce cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for AE1/AE3, CD57, and chromogranin A. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide and radiotherapy, achieving complete response, with complete regression of the lesion. The patient had no sign of tumor recurrence and locoregional or distant metastases after 5 months of followup.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gynecologic tract: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) clinical document

OBJECTIVE

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gynecologic tract are rare, and pose a significant clinical challenge because of the tumor heterogeneity and lack of standardized guidelines for treatment. This manuscript summarizes the available literature concerning these tumors in an effort to provide the clinician a framework from which to guide patient management.

METHODS

MEDLINE was searched for all research articles published in English between January 1, 1966 and March 1, 2011 in which the studied population included women diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors of the gynecologic tract. Although preference was given to prospective studies, studies were not limited by design or by numbers of subjects given the limited availability of reports.

RESULTS

Most, but not all, neuroendocrine tumors of the gynecologic tract have an aggressive clinical course and those of the cervix histologically and clinically share similarities with small cell lung cancer. Cumulative data supports a multi-modality therapeutic strategy. A proposed management algorithm for neuroendocrine carcinomas of the cervix is outlined. For less frequent disease sites including the adnexa, uterus, vagina and vulva, as well as well differentiated carcinoid tumors, surgical resection is appropriate in selected cases. Etoposide/platinum based chemotherapy is used for neuroendocrine carcinomas but not for well differentiated carcinoid tumors. Well differentiated carcinoid and atypical carcinoid tumors should be managed similar to gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs).

CONCLUSIONS

Most neuroendocrine tumors of the gynecologic tract require a multi-modality therapeutic approach, determined by extent of disease and primary organ of involvement. Pathologic diagnosis is critical to guide therapy.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Female Genital Tract

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the female genital tract is rare, constituting less than 2% of all gynecologic malignancies. It occurs most frequently in the cervix but can also occur in the endometrium, ovary, fallopian tube, vagina, and vulva. SCC of the genital tract is microscopically indistinguishable from that of the lung. Neuroendocrine differentiation is often manifested by a histologic growth pattern, argyrophilia, ultrastructural demonstration of secretory granules, and expression of neuroendocrine markers. Patients with SCC of the female genital tract may be asymptomatic but usually present with localized pain, vaginal bleeding, abdominal bloating or a mass, or symptoms of metastasis disease to the liver, bone, lung, or regional lymph nodes. Ectopic Cushing's syndrome has been reported in SCC of the vagina, and hypercalcemia and inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone have been noted with SCC of the ovary. In general, these tumors have an aggressive clinical course with a propensity for extensive local invasion and distant metastases. Therapy has included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy akin to those regimens used for SCC of the lung. Although there are no randomized clinical trials, it appears that multimodality therapy is associated with the best results and is the treatment of choice for most patients. Despite aggressive therapy, however, the prognosis for SCC of the female genital tract is poor, with only a minority of patients enjoying a prolonged survival. Indeed, the majority of patients have an early demise with extensive distant disease. We review the clinical features, evaluation, and management of SCC of the female genital tract based on a comprehensive review of the literature.

Primary Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Vagina: A Clinicopathologic Study

Context.—Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina is extremely rare, and its clinical behavior is aggressive. To our knowledge, 22 patients with this tumor have been reported in the English literature to date.

Objective.—To investigate 3 patients with this tumor clinically and pathologically.

Design.—The pathology database at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston was searched, and 3 cases of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina were found. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural profiles of the tumors were investigated. The medical charts of the patients were reviewed, and the patients were followed up.

Patients.—Women with the diagnosis of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of vagina.

Results.—All 3 patients presented with advanced disease, and 2 patients died within 4 months of the initial diagnosis. One 38-year-old patient was newly diagnosed, and her clinical outcome had not yet been determined. The histologic features of all 3 tumors were similar to those of their pulmonary counterpart. All cases were positive for cytokeratin, chromogranin A, and synaptophysin. The expression pattern of thyroid transcription factor 1 was examined in all 3 patients, of whom 2 were negative and 1 was positive with negative clinical and radiologic thyroid or pulmonary findings. Ultrastructural evaluation showed scattered intracytoplasmic electron-dense neurosecretory granules.

Conclusion.—Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina has histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features similar to those of its pulmonary counterpart. Because thyroid transcription factor 1 can be positive, it should not be used to differentiate primary from metastatic disease. The current therapies have usually resulted in poor outcomes, and new therapeutic modalities should be explored.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina

BACKGROUND

Primary vaginal small cell carcinoma is extremely rare, with a total number reported in English-language journals to date of 23. Most patients die of the disease within 2 years of diagnosis from metastatic disease.

CASE

A 69-year-old woman presented with vaginal spotting while on Premarin. She was subsequently diagnosed with Stage I (T1N0M0) small cell carcinoma of the vagina. She underwent concurrent chemoradiation and then brachytherapy for persistent disease. Due to residual disease after the brachytherapy, surgical resection was planned but aborted because of metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the three reported cases treated with concurrent chemoradiation, ours is the first case reported with persistent local disease after therapy. Extrapolating from the available clinical trials from lung carcinoma, concurrent chemoradiation as a primary treatment approach should still be considered.