Prevalence and significance of psammoma bodies in cervicovaginal smears in a cervical cancer screening program with emphasis on a case of primary bilateral ovarian psammocarcinoma

Long-Term Follow-Up of Tamoxifen Treatment and the Use of Imaging in Psammocarcinoma: A Case Report, Review of the Literature and Discussion of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

Psammocarcinoma (PsC) represents a rare form of low-grade serous tumor of the ovary or peritoneum. Although ovarian cancer generally has a poor prognosis in its late stages, PsC seems to have a more indolent course. We present a patient with a history of unspecific abdominal pain for more than a year, with sudden acute onset of severe inguinal pain. On admission to the hospital, a computed tomography (CT) revealed a pelvic mass of suspected ovarian origin. Radical surgery was attempted but not achieved due to widespread tumor growth. Histopathological evaluation revealed estrogen receptor-positive stage III PsC. Tamoxifen treatment was thus initiated, still maintaining stable disease 10 years later. The patient has undergone extensive radiological work-up, including CT, chest X-ray, 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, 99mTc- hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HDP) bone scintigraphy, 18F-fluoro-thymidine (FLT) PET/CT, Tc-99m depreotide scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging. In conclusion, we demonstrate that PsC has characteristic radiological features and different imaging modalities can be suitable in different clinical situations. In contrast to most other ovarian cancers, PsC does not always warrant adjuvant chemotherapy, even in advanced stages. This emphasizes the need for a deeper knowledge of the biological behavior of this rare tumor, to select the optimal treatment strategy.

Atypical glandular cells (AGC): Cytology of glandular lesions of the uterine cervix

The Pap smear is a well-known screening tool for squamous lesions of the uterine cervix. However, its screening role in glandular lesions is less effective. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix has dramatically decreased with the advent of Pap smear and recent understanding related to HPV carcinogenesis of cervical cancers including the advent of HPV vaccines. However, in recent years, the incidence of glandular abnormalities, diagnosed on Pap smears, has increased with greater sensitivity and precision.

The incidence of atypical glandular cells (AGC) is approximately 0.18–0.74% of all cervical smears with a reported prevalence of 2.5% among all Pap smears. A high degree of suspicion, good clinical history, and the presence of diagnostic cytomorphological findings are essential for the proper interpretation of glandular cell abnormalities. A methodical approach to evaluate Pap smear greatly helps interpretation and avoids the diagnostic pitfalls. The Bethesda System for reporting cervical cytology has categorized glandular cell abnormalities into various categories as follows:

Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)

Atypical glandular cells (AGCs)

Endocervical cells: a1 NOS or specify in comments; a2 Favor neoplastic

Endometrial cells: NOS or specify in comments

Adenocarcinoma (AdCa)

Endocervical

Endometrial

Extrauterine

NOS

Subtle differences in quantitative and qualitative cytologic features are essential for distinguishing one category from another. In this chapter, we highlight an organized approach for the interpretation of glandular abnormalities in Pap smear for our readers. This is an overview of the Bethesda categories, the reason for classification, and differential diagnosis with key characteristic features. An approach to the methodical evaluation of hyperchromatic crowded groups is discussed with key cytomorphologic differences. An algorithmic approach is suggested to facilitate the interpretation of various AGC categories.

Angiogenesis in gynecological cancers and the options for anti-angiogenesis therapy

Angiogenesis is required in cancer, including gynecological cancers, for the growth of primary tumors and secondary metastases. Development of anti-angiogenesis therapy in gynecological cancers and improvement of its efficacy have been a major focus of fundamental and clinical research. However, survival benefits of current anti-angiogenic agents, such as bevacizumab, in patients with gynecological cancer, are modest. Therefore, a better understanding of angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment in gynecological cancers is urgently needed to develop more effective anti-angiogenic therapies, either or not in combination with other therapeutic approaches. We describe the molecular aspects of (tumor) blood vessel formation and the tumor microenvironment and provide an extensive clinical overview of current anti-angiogenic therapies for gynecological cancers. We discuss the different phenotypes of angiogenic endothelial cells as potential therapeutic targets, strategies aimed at intervention in their metabolism, and approaches targeting their (inflammatory) tumor microenvironment.

Hypermetabolic Calcified Lymph Nodes on 18Fludeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in a Case of Treated Ovarian Cancer Recurrence: Residual Disease or Benign Formation?

The contribution of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) in evaluating ovarian cancer recurrence even after a prolonged disease-free interval, and in therapy response is well-described. Calcifications observed in CT, although usually attributed to benign conditions, may actually represent active disease. Such an example of calcified formations is psammoma bodies. We present a case of 56-y. o. patient with ovarian cancer relapse at the supraclavicular area 18 years after complete response and disease-free interval. The patient received chemotherapy and underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the evaluation of treatment response. Both CT corrected and uncorrected PET images showed hypermetabolism in the massively calcified lymph nodes in the neck, mediastinum, axilla and abdomen, indicative of active residual disease.

Bilateral Serous Psammocarcinoma of Ovary: Rare Variant Low Grade Serous Carcinoma

Serous psammocarcinoma is a rare variant of serous carcinoma arising from either ovary or peritoneum, characterized by massive psammoma body formation, low grade cytologic features, and invasiveness. Its clinical behavior is similar to serous borderline tumors with relatively favorable prognosis. We report herein a case of a 60-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with abdominal distension. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed calcified pelvic masses with ascites. Elevated serum CA-125 (970 U/mL) suggested malignant ovarian neoplasm. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with primary debulking surgery. Histopathology showed bilateral serous psammocarcinoma of ovary with invasive implants on omentum. Adjuvant chemotherapy was advised in view of advanced stage disease, although its benefits are poorly defined due to rarity of the tumor. However, patient opted out of it and is now on follow-up.

Widespread Psammoma Body Formation Arising in the Background of a Uterine Serous Carcinoma

This report highlights a very rare phenomenon of widespread psammomatous calcification without accompanying epithelium, present in the background of a uterine serous carcinoma. Psammomatous calcification is associated with benign and malignant pathology in different organ systems including the gynaecological tract.

Psammocarcinoma of ovary with serous cystadenofibroma of contralateral ovary: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Psammocarcinoma of ovary is a rare serous neoplasm characterized by extensive formation of psammoma bodies, invasion of ovarian stroma, peritoneum or intraperitoneal viscera, and moderate cytological atypia. Extensive medlar search showed presence of only 28 cases of psammocarcinoma of ovary reported till date.

CASE PRESENTATION

We herein report a case of psammocarcinoma of ovary with serous cystadenofibroma of contralateral ovary in a 55 year old Asian Indian female.

CONCLUSION

To the best of author's knowledge, ours is the rare case describing coexistence of this very rare malignant serous epithelial tumor with a benign serous cystadenofibroma of contralateral ovary.