Superficial spread of cervical squamous cell carcinoma to the upper genital tract and dissemination to the omentum

Endometrial squamous cell carcinoma originating from the cervix: A case report

BACKGROUND

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of cervical carcinoma and is generally derived from a precancerous stage called cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Usually, the cancer metastasizes through lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination, but rarely spreads upward into the uterus. Here, we report a case of cervical HSIL extending into the endometrium and finally progressing to SCC in the uterine cavity.

CASE SUMMARY

A 57-year-old postmenopausal woman visited our department and requested a routine cervical check-up. Four years ago, she had undergone a cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure because of HSIL found during the gynecological examination, and she had not been checked again since. This time, a relapse of the cervical HSIL was diagnosed along with uterine pyometra and endometrial polyps. After 2 wk of antibiotic treatment, a laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed, and the final pathological examination revealed that the cervical HSIL had spread directly upward into the uterine cavity, gradually developing into cervical SCC in the endometrium.

CONCLUSION

Cervical HSIL/SCC can directly spread upward into the uterus with the most common symptoms of pyometra and cervical stenosis. More attention should be given to the early detection and prevention of this disease.

Superficial spreading cervical squamous cell carcinoma in situ involving the endometrium: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The spread of cervical squamous cell carcinoma to the inner surface of the uterus with replacement of the endometrium is rare. Continuity of the lesion must be demonstrated to confirm superficial spread and rule out concomitant endometrial cancer.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 66-year-old white woman with superficial spreading squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix that involved the endometrium. Her relevant past history included conization of the cervix to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III with positive margins. She subsequently had three negative cervical vaginal cytology results, each with a positive high-risk human papillomavirus test. Transvaginal ultrasound showed occupation of the entire uterine cavity by dense material consistent with pyometra in addition to myometrial thinning due to tension and cervical dilation. The patient presented with greenish vaginal discharge of 3 months' duration. The cervix was not visible during speculum examination. Access for endometrial sampling was not possible, raising suspicion of post-conization cervical stenosis. The patient was treated with laparoscopic hysterectomy with double adnexectomy. Histologic examination showed superficial squamous cell carcinoma invading the cervix to a depth of 2.8 mm; superficial spreading squamous cell carcinoma in situ was also observed in the lower uterine segment and endometrium. The patient was free of symptoms 12 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with superficial spread to the endometrium is not included in the 2020 (fifth edition) World Health Organization Classification of Female Genital Tract Tumors or the 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics cervical cancer staging system. More clinical cases are needed to identify other prognostic factors and inform clinical practice guidelines on the management of this disease.

A review and case report of enigmatic superficial endometrial spread of cancer of the uterine cervix: Need for vigilance in the primary care setting

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It usually spreads via direct invasion and lymphatics. Few cases with superficial spread to the uterine endometrium, fallopian tubes, and ovaries have been observed. The staging of these cases, as well as management, is not yet clear due to limited data. The Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging disregards uterine spread to upstage the disease, and it also fails to provide clear guidelines regarding the superficial extension to the ovaries and tubes which is not uncommon in these cases. A 63-year-old female with postmenopausal bleeding was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on a pap smear. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a predominant endometrial lesion. Histopathology after Wertheim's hysterectomy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma of the endocervix, stage 1B2, that had spread superficially to the endometrium. A total of 48 cases of cervical cancer with superficial spread were identified. The commonest complaint was postmenopausal bleed in 39.39%. In 50% of the cases, the disease was carcinoma in situ, and 70.45% of the women had disease of stage 1B or less. In many cases, the disease had reached the tubes, 36.66%, and ovaries 23.33%. All women with stage 2A or lesser disease except for one were alive at 6 months after surgery. Superficial spread of cervical cancer is a distinct entity. Endometrial pathology must be ruled out before planning management in these women, especially when managing early-stage disease with conservative therapy.