Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: ultrasonographic findings in 11 patients

Preoperative multimodal ultrasonic imaging in a case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome complicated by atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), an autosomal dominant multiple cancerous disorder, is clinically characterized by mucocutaneous macules and multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps. Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (G-EAC), a special subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with non-specific symptoms and signs, is known to occur in approximately 11% of female patients with PJS.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we report a case of PJS in a 24-year-old female with multiple mucocutaneous black macules who complained of vaginal discharge and menorrhagia. Moreover, we first described the multimodal ultrasonographical manifestations of PJS-correlated G-EAC. The three-dimensional reconstructed view of G-EAC on 3D realisticVue exhibited a distinctive "cosmos pattern" resembling features on magnetic resonance imaging, and the contrast-enhanced ultrasound displayed a "quick-up and slow-down" pattern of the solid components inside the mixed cervical echoes. We reported the multimodal ultrasonographical characteristics of a case of PJS-related G-EAC, as well as reviewed PJS-related literature and medical imaging features and clinical characteristics of G-EAC to provide insight into the feasibility and potential of utilizing multimodal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of G-EAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal ultrasound can visualize morphological features, solid components inside, and blood supplies of the G-EAC lesion and distinguish the G-EAC lesion from normal adjacent tissues. This facilitates preoperative diagnosis and staging of PJS-related G-EAC, thereby aiding subsequent health and reproductive management for patients with PJS.

Expression of B7-H3 and TIM-3 in gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: prevalence, association with PD-L1 expression, and prognostic significance

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) is the second most common subtype of endocervical adenocarcinoma and has a poor prognosis. Anti-programmed death-1 and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have emerged as a major treatment option for GEA; however, data on the expression of other immune checkpoints in GEA are limited. We analyzed the expression of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) and B7 homolog 3 protein (B7-H3) in 58 GEA and investigated their prognostic significance as well as association with PD-L1 expression and other known prognostic factors. Applying the tumor proportion score (TPS) with a cutoff of 1%, B7-H3 and TIM-3 were present in 48.3% and 17.2% of cases, respectively. Applying the combined positive score (CPS) with a cutoff of 1, TIM-3 expression was present in 70.7% of cases. Moreover, the expression of three checkpoints (B7-H3, TIM-3, and PD-L1) was incompletely overlapping. Patients with B7-H3 positive tumors (by TPS) or TIM-3 positive tumors (by TPS) had significantly worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (log-rank). Using CPS, patients with TIM-3 positive tumors showed significantly worse RFS (log-rank). Similarly, B7-H3 positivity (by TPS) and TIM-3 positivity (by TPS) were associated with worse RFS and OS in univariate analysis. TIM-3 positivity (by CPS) was associated with worse RFS in univariate analysis and the final Cox multivariate analysis. In conclusion, our results show that (1) B7-H3 and TIM-3 are frequently expressed in GEA and their expression overlaps incompletely with PD-L1; and (2) both B7-H3 and TIM-3 are independent negative prognostic markers in GEA.

Assessment of HER2 in Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma and its Prognostic Significance

As the most common type of human papillomavirus-independent endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs), gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinomas (GEAs) account for approximately 10% of all ECAs. Although anti-HER2 therapy has been proven effective in many cancers, it has not been used in ECAs, including GEAs, which is at least partly due to the lack of a well-defined guideline. Limited available data regarding HER2 in GEAs and ECAs have considerable variations likely caused by variations in the tumor type selection, testing methods, and scoring criteria. Here, we selected 58 GEA cases to examine the HER2 status using immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization and investigate the prognostic value and their association with other known or potential prognostic factors. When strong complete or lateral/basolateral membranous reactivity in ≥10% tumor cells was used to define HER2 positivity, relatively high prevalence of HER2 overexpression (10/58[17.2%]) and amplification (9/58 [15.5%]), as well as high immunohistochemistry-fluorescent in situ hybridization concordance rate (9/10 [90%]) was found in GEAs. A lateral/basolateral staining pattern ("U-shaped") was observed, at least focally, in most of HER2-positive (3+) and equivocal (2+) tumors. Notably, considerable heterogeneity of HER2 expression was observed in HER2 positive and equivocal cases (80.0% and 83.3%, respectively). HER2 overexpression and amplification were associated with worse progression-free survival (P = .047 and P = .032, respectively). Programmed death-ligand 1 expression was associated with worse progression-free survival (P = .032), whereas mutant-type p53 demonstrated no prognostic significance. Our work laid a solid foundation for the eventual development of a future standard HER2 testing guideline for GEAs.

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix, gastric-type (GAS): a review of the literature focused on pathology and multimodality imaging

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix, gastric-type (GAS) is a rare, well-differentiated subtype of HPV-independent endocervical adenocarcinoma. It classically arises in middle-aged women with symptoms, including profuse watery vaginal discharge and abnormal uterine bleeding. Given the rarity of this disease, misdiagnosis is common and prognosis remains poorly defined. Distinct pathology and imaging findings can aid in diagnosis. A literature review was performed to ascertain recurring pathologic and radiologic characteristics of GAS. Key pathologic features of GAS include cytologically benign appearing mucinous glands that infiltrate into the deep stroma and may demonstrate lymphovascular or perineural invasion. Multiple imaging modalities including transvaginal ultrasound, CT, and MRI may aid in diagnosis of GAS, which characteristically is seen as a multicystic mass with solid components. MRI in particular is the preferred imaging study because it offers the best chance of identifying a potential solid component, which is key to making the diagnosis of GAS and distinguishing it from other endocervical diseases processes. Careful attention to histopathologic and radiologic details, in conjunction with clinical correlation, is necessary to distinguish GAS from other multicystic cervical lesions.

A Rare Case of Endocervical Adenocarcinoma of Gastric Type

Gastric adenocarcinoma of the cervix (GAC) represents a rare mucinous endocervical cancer unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV). GAC has been found to comprise approximately 10% of cervical adenocarcinomas internationally. As more cases have been identified, GAC has been further classified into subtypes such as poorly differentiated versus well-differentiated (also referred to as mucinous or adenoma malignum). This cancer coined the term "gastric" subtype due to its similarity to the pancreaticobiliary and gastric tissue lining. With limited data and similar histological and genetic features of GAC, this malignancy poses a challenge for clinicians when differentiating between metastasis from the gastrointestinal tract and GAC. Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old female who presented with postmenopausal bleeding and was found to have stage IA1 endocervical adenocarcinoma of gastric subtype. The purpose of this article is to introduce a rare type of gastric adenocarcinoma with a unique site of origin in order to better understand this disease process and potentially help clinicians better diagnose and treat patients with this malignancy in the future.

The Prognostic Values of HPV Genotypes and Tumor PD-L1 Expression in Patients With HPV-associated Endocervical Adenocarcinoma

Despite the well-established pathogenic effect of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotypes on endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs), the prognostic values of hrHPV genotypes and their association with other prognostic variables have not been established. We categorized 120 usual-type human papillomavirus-associated (HPVA) ECA cases into 3 species groups (HPV16+, HPV18/45+, and other genotypes+) based on the hrHPV status. The clinical-stage, invasion patterns (Silva), and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression were compared among genotype groups. In addition, log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare progression-free survival (PFS) among different patient groups. A total of 120 ECA cases with positive hrHPV tests were included in this study. Among them, 51 (42.5%) were positive for HPV16, 50 (41.7%) were positive for HPV18 or 18/45, 9 (7.5%) were positive for other hrHPV genotypes (not including HPV16/18/45). Our data showed patients had no significant difference in clinical stages (P=0.51), invasion patterns (P=0.55), and PFS (P=0.59) across genotype groups. Overall, a relatively high prevalence of PD-L1 expression was observed in HPVA ECAs (25% by tumor proportion score [TPS] and 55% by a combined positive score [CPS]). Using TPS, 19.6% (10/51) HPV16+ cases, 32.0% (16/50) cases of HPV18 or 18/45+ cases, and 22.2% (2/9) cases of other genotypes+ cases demonstrated PD-L1 positivity. No significant difference in PD-L1 expression was seen across genotype groups (P=0.35). PD-L1 expression in tumors with patterns B and C was significantly higher than in those with pattern A (P=0.00002). Patients with PD-L1-positive tumors by either CPS or TPS showed significantly poorer PFS than those with PD-L1-negative tumors (CPS, P=0.025; TPS, P=0.001). Our data support that HPV genotypes have no prognostic value in HPVA ECAs, while PD-L1 expression serves as a negative prognostic marker in HPVA ECAs and implies an unfavorable outcome.

Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the cervix in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a systematic review of the literature with proposed screening guidelines

OBJECTIVES

To perform a systematic review of gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the cervix and lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (a possible precursor lesion) in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and to analyze data from the literature, along with our institutional experience, to determine recommendations for screening and detection.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature searc and retrospective search of pathology records at our institutio were conducted. Articles were screened by two independent reviewers. Case reports/series on lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia/gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the cervix in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome were included. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic information was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 1564 publications were reviewed; 38 met the inclusion criteria. Forty-nine were included in the analysis (43 from the literature, 6 from our institution). Forty-three reported on gastric-type adenocarcinoma alone, 4 on lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia alone, and 2 on concurrent lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia/gastric-type adenocarcinoma. Median age at diagnosis was 17 (range, 4-52) for patients with lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia alone and 35 (range, 15-72) for those with gastric-type adenocarcinoma. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal/pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding/discharge. Imaging was reported for 27 patients; 24 (89%) had abnormal cervical features. Papanicolaou (Pap) smear prior to diagnosis was reported for 12 patients; 6 (50%) had normal cytology, 4 (33%) atypical glandular cells, and 2 (17%) atypical cells not otherwise specified. Patients with gastric-type adenocarcinoma (n=45) were treated with surgery alone (n=16), surgery/chemotherapy/radiation (n=11), surgery/chemotherapy (n=9), surgery/radiation (n=5), or radiation/chemotherapy (n=4). Twelve (27%) of 45 patients recurred; median progression-free survival was 10 months (range, 1-148). Twenty patients (44%) died; median overall survival was 26 months (range, 2-156). Thirteen patients (27%) were alive with no evidence of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric-type adenocarcinoma in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is associated with poor outcomes and short progression-free and overall survival. Screening recommendations, including pathognomonic symptom review and physical examination, with a low threshold for imaging and biopsy, may detect precursor lesions and early-stage gastric-type adenocarcinoma, leading to better outcomes in this high-risk population.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019118151.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes in gastric-type of HPV-independent endocervical adenocarcinomas

Background

We aimed to analyze the clinicopathological features and outcomes of patients with gastric-type of HPV-independent endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS HPVI ECA), and compare them with non-GAS HPVI ECA cases.

Methods

Thirty-eight GASs [including 17 minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA), 21 non-MDA GAS] and 17 non-GAS HPVI ECAs were studied. Data of clinical features, pathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated.

Results

The median age of patients with GAS and non-GAS HPVI ECA was 46 and 48 years, respectively (p = 0.93). Compared with non-GAS HPVI ECAs, GAS had more common complains of vaginal watery discharge (p = 0.04). GAS cases were also associated with higher clinical stage (p = 0.036), more common in deeper cervical stromal invasion (p = 0.002) and lymphoavascular invasion (p = 0.044). GAS was associated with worse median progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02) and median overall survival (OS) (p = 0.03) over patients with non-GAS HPVI ECAs. MDA had similar clinical and pathological features and prognosis compared with non-MDA GAS. Of note, serum CA19–9 levels were significantly higher in GAS than that in non-GAS HPVI ECA cases.

Conclusions

GAS cases were more likely to have high risk pathological factors and poorer PFS and OS compared with non-GAS HPVI ECAs. Serum CA19–9 may be helpful for diagnosis and screening in patients with GAS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08792-7.

Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in human papillomavirus-independent cervical adenocarcinoma and its prognostic significance

AIMS

In the 2020 World Health Organization classification of female genital tumours, endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs) are subclassified into human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated (HPVA) and HPV-independent (HPVI) groups on the basis of their distinct aetiologies and clinical behaviours. The aim of this study was to investigate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and its prognostic value in HPVI ECA and HPVA ECA, and compare these between the two entities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 93 ECAs accessioned between 2013 and 2020 were selected for further analysis, including 48 usual-type HPVA ECAs and 45 HPVI ECAs. Then, we evaluated PD-L1 expression in whole tissue sections of these cases by using the tumour proportion score (TPS) and the combined positive score (CPS). Heterogeneous PD-L1 expression was observed in both HPVI ECAs and usual-type HPVA ECAs. However, no significant difference in PD-L1 expression was seen among different histological types of ECA when either the CPS or the TPS was used. Gastric-type ECA (GEA) was associated with higher clinical stage (P = 0.001), worse progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.008) and worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.02) than usual-type HPVA ECA and non-GEA HPVI ECA. When the TPS was used, PD-L1-positive GEA was associated with significantly worse PFS (P = 0.03) and OS (P = 0.015) than PD-L1-negative GEA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show frequent PD-L1 expression in HPVI ECAs, supporting the potential role of the programmed cell death protein 1/PD-L1 pathway as a therapeutic target for these tumours. Our data also support PD-L1 as a negative prognostic marker associated with a potentially unfavourable outcome for GEAs.

Giant nabothian cysts: A rare incidental diagnosis on MRI

This case report follows a 52-year-old female patient undergoing routine screening for hepatocellular carcinoma. Incidentally, the patient was found to have a cystic pelvic mass on initial imaging via CT. Subsequent imaging with MR confirmed findings of two giant nabothian cysts. This case outlines the rare, asymptomatic nature of giant nabothian cysts and emphasizes the efficacy of MR as a tool for diagnosis of pelvic masses when ultrasound and CT findings are equivocal.

Ultrasonographic features of uterine cervical lesions

Currently, ultrasound (US) is a valuable imaging tool for the initial assessment and evaluation of the female genital organs, uterus, and adnexa. However, it is easy to overlook the uterine cervix while conducting a pelvic US. Uterine cervical lesions may range from benign to malignant in nature. Therefore, meticulous examination with US may play a key role in assessing uterine cervical lesions. Although there is substantial overlap in the US findings across various uterine cervical lesions, some US features, in tandem with clinical characteristics, may suggest a specific diagnosis. Familiarity with the clinical settings and US characteristics of different uterine cervical lesions can support prompt and accurate diagnosis of suspicious lesions. This review article aims to describe the features of US and possible values for distinction of these lesions in the uterine cervix.

Difficulties in diagnosis of a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix diagnosed postoperatively: brief communication and literature review

PURPOSE

Rare minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) diagnosed postoperatively as incidental finding of a suspicious cervical lesion at laparoscopy, emphasizing it represents a diagnostic challenge mimicking both benign and malignant cervical lesions with often overlapping imaging characteristics-case report and literature review.

CASE PRESENTATION

35-year-old Gravida with primary infertility presented with a suspicious cervical lesion and complained about menorrhagia, hyper-/dysmenorrhea. Clinical examination was unremarkable, transvaginal scan presented a 42 × 38 × 28 mm sized cervical lesion (i.e. fibroid) without hypervascularization. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma in tissue sample taken from suspicious cervical lesion at laparoscopy was revealed in final pathological report. According to suspected early stage of MDA a radical abdominal hysterectomy (PIVER III/IV), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was scheduled. Final histology report confirmed: "MDA", G2, FIGO pT1b1, pN0 (0/23 LN) L0 V0 Pn0 R0.

RESULTS

Ultrasonography may indicate MDA throughout the examination of vascularization/echogenicity with possibility of mimicking benign lesions with similar characteristics. Magnetic resonance imaging shows no pathognomonic signs for MDA. Subsequently, a review of literature was conducted and main factors affecting the prognosis of MDA considering diagnostic tools, clinical stage, histopathological results and surgical protocols were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma represents one of rare cervical adenocarcinomas without HPV-association. While it is crucial to differentiate benign from malignant lesions in this subtype, imaging characteristics often overlap and may not provide a specific diagnosis. Therefore, it should be considered in suspicious multicystic cervical lesions and inconclusive PAP-smear. Definitive diagnosis of this subtype should be based on cervical biopsy.

[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.

Gastric-type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma: An Aggressive Tumor With Unusual Metastatic Patterns and Poor Prognosis

Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix (GAS) is a rare variant of mucinous endocervical adenocarcinoma not etiologically associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) at the well-differentiated end of the morphologic spectrum. These tumors are reported to have worse prognosis than usual HPV associated endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA). A retrospective review of GAS was performed from the pathology databases of 3 institutions spanning 20 years. Stage, metastatic patterns, and overall survival were documented. Forty GAS cases were identified, with clinical follow-up data available for 38. The tumors were subclassified as MDA (n=13) and non-MDA GAS (n=27). Two patients were syndromic (1 Li-Fraumeni, 1 Peutz-Jeghers). At presentation, 59% were advanced stage (FIGO II to IV), 50% had lymph node metastases, 35% had ovarian involvement, 20% had abdominal disease, 39% had at least 1 site of metastasis at the time of initial surgery, and 12% of patients experienced distant recurrence. The metastatic sites included lymph nodes, adnexa, omentum, bowel, peritoneum, diaphragm, abdominal wall, bladder, vagina, appendix, and brain. Follow-up ranged from 1.4 to 136.0 months (mean, 33.9 mo); 20/38 (52.6%) had no evidence of disease, 3/38 (7.9%) were alive with disease, and 15/38 (39.5%) died of disease. Disease-specific survival at 5 years was 42% for GAS versus 91% for UEA. There were no survival differences between MDA and non-MDA GAS. GAS represents a distinct, biologically aggressive type of endocervical adenocarcinoma. The majority of patients present at advanced stage and pelvic, abdominal, and distant metastases are not uncommon.

Adenoma Malignum Presenting With Profound Hyponatremia

BACKGROUND

Adenoma malignum of the cervix (also referred to as minimal deviation adenocarcinoma) is a rare malignancy. Although previous reports have described adenoma malignum presenting with mucinous vaginal discharge, no reports to our knowledge have described a presentation with profound hyponatremia due to fluid losses.

CASE

We present a case of adenoma malignum in a 52-year-old woman who presented with substantial watery vaginal discharge and profound hyponatremia.

CONCLUSION

Despite being a rare cervical tumour, adenoma malignum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of watery vaginal discharge. This tumour can present with severe electrolyte disturbances.

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: report of four cases

Adenoma malignum (AM) of the cervix is a rare disease and it is difficult to diagnose due to the deceptively benign appearance of the tumor cells. These lesions have mucin-rich cystic lesions and are usually situated deep in the cervix. Since AM is very rare, standard screening tests, diagnostic tools and treatments have not yet been established. Radiologically, it mimics multiple nabothian cysts as a benign-looking tumor. Histologically, AM is a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and could be misdiagnosed as a benign lesion. These findings make a preoperative diagnosis of AM difficult and can result in surgery being performed based on a misdiagnosis. We report here on four cases of pathologically confirmed AM.