Local and Metastatic Relapses in a Young Woman with Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Clinical Outcomes of Pleomorphic High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Uterine Cervix: A Single-institutional Experience of 44 Cases

BACKGROUND/AIM

Pleomorphic high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (PHSILs) of the uterine cervix are characterized by strikingly pleomorphic and enlarged nuclei with brisk mitotic activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with PHSIL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical data were collected from the electronic medical records of 44 patients with PHSIL.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 52.1 years. The initial cytological diagnosis was HSIL in 43.2% of patients. High-risk human papillomavirus was detected in 89.5% of patients. The human papillomavirus type was not predominated by one specific type. The patients were treated with conization alone or with conization with subsequent hysterectomy. Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma coexisting with PHSIL, and one case of adenoid basal carcinoma were detected among the surgical specimens. Follow-up cytology revealed negative results for intraepithelial lesions in all patients, except for one patient who experienced recurrent PHSIL 41 months after hysterectomy and underwent laser ablation.

CONCLUSION

The incidence rates of concurrent squamous cell carcinoma (4.5%) and recurrence (2.3%) in our PHSIL cohort were lower than those previously reported in patients with conventional HSIL. Our findings suggest that pleomorphic nuclear change alone in PHSIL was not associated with worse clinical outcomes than conventional HSIL and support the notion that PHSIL does not require more aggressive clinical management than conventional HSIL. However, close follow-up with cytological examination may be necessary to determine the potential risk of recurrence.

Value of loop electrosurgical excision procedure conization and imaging for the diagnosis of papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

Background

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization and hysterectomy are performed for some patients with papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), whereas only hysterectomy is performed for others. We aimed to determine the optimal management for PSCC.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PSCC by colposcopy-directed biopsy between June 2008 and January 2020 who underwent LEEP conization and hysterectomy or only hysterectomy at our hospital were enrolled. Results of cervical cytology, high-risk human papillomavirus testing, transvaginal sonography, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, LEEP, hysterectomy, and pathology testing of colposcopy-directed biopsy samples were analyzed.

Results

A total of 379 women were diagnosed with PSCC by colposcopy-directed biopsy; 174 underwent LEEP before hysterectomy and 205 underwent only hysterectomy. Patients underwent and did not undergo LEEP were aged 47 ± 11 years and 52 ± 11 years, respectively. Among women who underwent LEEP, the agreement between LEEP and hysterectomy pathology was 85.1%. For women who underwent only hysterectomy, the agreement between preoperative clinical staging and pathological staging after hysterectomy was 82.4%. For patients with preoperative imaging indicative of malignancy, the accuracy of LEEP for diagnosing and staging PSCC was 88.5%, whereas for the hysterectomy-only group, it was 86.2%. For patients without malignancy detected with imaging, the accuracy of LEEP for diagnosing and staging PSCC was 81.6%; however, for those who did not undergo LEEP, it was 70.0%.

Conclusion

For women diagnosed with PSCC by colposcopy-directed biopsy, LEEP conization is necessary for an accurate diagnosis when imaging does not indicate cancer; however, LEEP is not necessary when imaging indicates cancer.

Papillary Squamotransitional Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix with Atypical Presentation: A Case Report with a Literature Review

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women around the world. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of cervical cancer. SCC has several subtypes, and one of the rarest is papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma (PSCC). In general, PSCC is believed to have a similar course and prognosis to typical SCC, with a high risk of late metastasis and recurrence. Case report: We discuss the case of a 45-year-old patient diagnosed with PSCC who was admitted to our department in December 2021. The clinical manifestations were pelvic discomfort and lymphadenopathy throughout the body. On admission, all laboratory values, with the exception of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) at 22.35 mg/L and hemoglobin (HGB) at 87.0 g/L, were normal. The clinical and ultrasound examination revealed a painful formation with indistinct borders in the right portion of the small pelvis. Following dilation and curettage, a Tru-Cut biopsy of the inguinal lymph nodes was performed. The investigation histologically indicated PSCC. MRI of the small pelvis showed an endophytic tumor in the cervix with dimensions of 35/26 mm and provided data for bilateral parametrial infiltration; a hetero-intensive tumor originating from the right ovary and involving small intestinal loops measuring 90/58 mm; and generalized lymphadenopathy and peritoneal metastases in the pouch of Douglass. The FIGO classification for the tumor was IVB. The patient was subsequently referred for chemotherapy by the tumor board's decision. Discussion: Despite the generally good prognosis of SCC, PSCC is a rare and aggressive subtype. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. Conclusions: PSCC is a rare subtype of SCC, and its diagnosis and treatment are challenging.