Adenocarcinoma of the vagina arising in endometriosis: long-term survival following radiation therapy

A Locally Advanced Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma Arising from Vaginal Endometriosis: Management and Review of the Literature

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma associated with endometriosis at extrauterine or extraovarian localization is a rare entity. Often presenting with local spread without nodal and distant metastasis, this entity has no specific staging system nor treatment guidelines. In the case of nodal and distant spread, the treatment decision requires personalization. In this article, we present the diagnosis and surgical and systemic treatment of a 56-year-old woman diagnosed with an endometriosis-associated advanced endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the vagina with nodal involvement. Following an extensive review of the scarce data reported to guide the treatment choices in this rare setting, we proposed a multidisciplinary treatment with laparoscopic surgical cytoreduction, four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel, and radiotherapy with brachytherapy. Due to an anaphylactic reaction on the first administration, paclitaxel was replaced with nab-paclitaxel. Despite many negative prognostic factors, the patient is free from relapse after 48 months. We report the case of a locally advanced endometrioid adenocarcinoma associated with endometriosis of the vagina, with pelvic nodal spread, and the relevant literature review of similar cases.

Malignant Transformation of Postmenopausal Endometriosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature on malignant transformation of postmenopausal endometriosis to provide information about patient characteristics, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) use, and outcomes over a period of 52 years (1969-2021). Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched for (endometriosis OR endometriotic) AND (cancer OR malignancy OR malignant transformation) AND (menopause OR menopausal OR postmenopause OR postmenopausal) in Pubmed (all fields) (accessed on 12 February 2021) and Scopus (Title/Abstract/Keywords) (accessed on 12 February 2021) databases. The only filter used was the English language. Relevant articles were obtained in full-text format and screened for additional references. Eligibility/inclusion criteria: studies including full case description of malignant transformation of endometriosis-related lesions in postmenopause. Results: 75 studies, including 90 cases, were retrieved. The mean age was 55.8 ± 8.5 years. Overall, about 65% of women had a positive personal history of endometriosis/adenomyosis, and 64% of women underwent previous hysterectomy ± bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Forty-nine of 74 women used HRT (66.2%). Among the women who used HRT, estrogen-only treatment was taken by approximately 75%. Duration of HRT was longer than five years in 63.3% of cases. About 70% of subjects had histology of endometrioid adenocarcinoma or clear cell carcinoma. Follow-up outcome, available for 61 women, showed a survival rate of 78.7%, recurrence of 9.8%, death of 11.5%. The duration of follow-up had a median of 12 months (interquartile range, 6.75-25 months). Interestingly, over the years of case publication there was a significant inverse correlation with previous history of endometriosis (r = -0.28, p = 0.007), HRT use (r = -0.31, p = 0.006), and previous definitive surgery (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In the malignant transformation of postmenopausal endometriosis, there are some recurrent clinical conditions: previous endometriosis, major definitive surgery before menopause, and estrogen-only HRT for a relatively long time. However, these clinical conditions have shown a drastic decrease over time. This could likely be the consequence of different attitudes and management of gynecologists linked to up-to-date scientific evidence about the use of major surgery in gynecological pathologies. Malignant transformation of postmenopausal endometriosis is a clinical challenge to be explored further.

A case of a unique presentation of a primary vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in the setting of a recurrent peritoneal inclusion cyst fistulized to the vagina

Primary vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer that is often associated with chronic endometriosis. We present the case of a 72-year-old female who underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy followed by hysterectomy with benign pathology 25 years prior to her cancer diagnosis. She had an extensive surgical history in the intervening years and several complicating factors including a history of endometriosis as well as a recurrent peritoneal inclusion cyst treated with ethanol sclerotherapy, followed by formation of a peritoneal-vaginal fistula. Endometriosis is associated with malignant transformation to endometrioid adenocarcinoma through genomic alteration, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hyperestrogenism. Frequency of surveillance examinations and imaging prior to diagnosis were based on patient symptoms, and ultimately a vaginal cuff mass was detected with invasion of the rectosigmoid colon, bladder and levators at time of diagnosis, necessitating infralevator total pelvic exenteration for removal.

Primary Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina

Vaginal adenocarcinoma is the second most common primary cancer of the vagina, yet there has been very little study of most subtypes other than clear cell carcinoma. We reviewed 18 cases of primary vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma, in our experience the second most common subtype. The patients ranged from 45 to 81 years of age (mean 60). Most presented with vaginal bleeding, and had had a prior hysterectomy. Five had a history of unopposed estrogen therapy but none had a history of intrauterine diethylstilbestrol exposure. The tumors were at the vaginal apex in 10 cases, in the posterior wall in 3, the lateral wall in 3, and the anterior wall in 1. On microscopic examination, each of the tumors had a pure or predominant component of typical endometrioid adenocarcinoma. There was squamous metaplasia in 4 cases, mucinous metaplasia in 4, and prominent nonvillous papillae in 2. The tumors were grade 1 of 3 in 4 cases, grade 2 in 13, and grade 3 in 1. Eleven cases were FIGO stage I, 5 stage II, and 2 stage IV. Vaginal endometriosis was identified in 14 cases, and is important in indicating a primary vaginal tumor, rather than secondary spread from the endometrium. Other subtypes of adenocarcinoma (such as serous when the tumor has a papillary pattern) and atypical forms of endometriosis, including polypoid endometriosis, are the most common other differential diagnostic considerations. The prognosis seems to be good in low-stage patients, with 11 patients alive and well and 2 alive with recurrent disease.

Hormone replacement therapy in women with past history of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common clinical condition and its treatment will often lead to an estrogen deficiency status. As most of these patients are young, they will need to consider hormone replacement therapy. Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disease and estrogen replacement can be associated with a risk of recurrence or malignant transformation. Only a few studies have addressed this problem. With the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), there is an increased, although undefined, risk of recurrence of endometriosis, especially in known severe cases and in obese patients. Unopposed estrogen appears to carry a higher risk than combined preparations. Delay in starting HRT after pelvic clearance is not of any benefit. After radical surgery for severe endometriosis, women often have much to gain from HRT, particularly in the early years. Benefits of HRT in terms of control of menopausal symptoms, prevention of urogenital atrophy and loss of libido and bone protection are of particular importance. HRT may still have a role in prevention of cardiovascular disease in early menopause, but this remains unproven. Although there is no firm evidence, continuous combined preparations or tibolone would appear to be the optimum choice.

Malignant extraovarian endometriosis: A review

AIMS

Malignant transformation in extra-ovarian endometriosis is a rare but known complication. This distinct pathological entity is reviewed with a specific focus on aetiology and treatment.

METHODS

Studies were identified by searching the English language literature in the MEDLINE database and by an extensive review of bibliographies from articles found through that search.

FINDINGS

Up to 1% of women with endometriosis will develop endometriosis-associated neoplasm. Almost a quarter of the reported cases of malignancy in endometriosis have involved extra-ovarian tissues. In many cases, hormonal factors may play a role in its pathogenesis. Estrogen monotherapy in obese patients significantly increase the risk of malignant extra-gonadal endometrial transformation. Genetic anomalies have also been reported such as loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 5q. For patients with disease confined to the site of origin, a 82-100% 5-year survival has been noted for endometrioid cell type; disseminated intraperitoneal disease, however, has a very poor associated prognosis, with a 0-12% 5-year survival overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with endometriosis-associated cancers most likely represent a different class of patients than traditional ovarian cancer patients and may require different therapeutic options.

Malignant tumors arising in endometriosis: clinical-pathological study and flow cytometry analysis

BACKGROUND

Malignant transformation to endometriosis is a well documented phenomenon that occurs most commonly in the ovaries with cancer arising in extra-ovarian endometriosis being a rare event.

METHODS

A retrospective clinical-pathological evaluation of eleven cases with malignant tumors arising in endometriosis was performed to evaluate the prognostic impact of various factors. Nuclear DNA content (ploidy) was assessed through flow cytometric study.

RESULTS

Ovarian origin was identified in eight cases and three were associated with extra-ovarian endometriosis. Histologic type was endometrioid carcinoma in ten patients. The eleventh case had high grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. All tumors were diploid with no relation to stage, grade, or clinical outcome. The S-phase fraction (SPF) was analyzed in nine patients and no correlation could be demonstrated with any histologic parameters or clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The DNA content seems to have no association with the classical prognostic parameters in these cases.

Vaginal cancer: the role of infectious and environmental factors

Primary cancers of the vagina are rare. They comprise 1% to 2% of all gynecologic malignancies and occur predominantly in older women. The diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the vagina requires that the cervix and vulva be intact and that no clinical evidence of other primary tumors exist. Approximately 90% of all vaginal tumors are squamous cell in type on histologic examination. Adenocarcinoma, which is much less common (2% to 4%), is seen primarily in younger women with in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol. In addition to exposure to diethylstilbestrol, other environmental factors have been associated with the development of vaginal tumors, including chronic irritation from pessaries, previous hysterectomy for benign disease, immunosuppression therapy, cervical irradiation, and endometriosis. Infectious causes seem to play an even more pernicious role in vaginal cancer. The two agents most often implicated are herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus. These viruses appear to serve as cofactors in the inducement of various genital cancers, working together or with environmental agents such as diethylstilbestrol and host-related genetic abnormalities. The prognosis of vaginal cancer depends on the stage of the disease, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 80% to 90% for early stages.

Clear cell carcinoma of the inguinal region arising from endometriosis

The second and third examples of clear cell carcinoma of the inguinal region arising from endometriosis are reported. In one patient a right inguinal mass was excised along with an inguinal lymph node dissection. The tumor recurred in the retroperitoneum and was removed, and postoperative radiation therapy was administered. The patient died of recurrent tumor after 11 years. The other patient was treated by excision of a left inguinal mass and an inguinal lymph node dissection and was alive without recurrence 4 years and 8 months later.

Vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in vaginal endometriosis: a case report and literature review

Presented here is the seventh reported case of vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in vaginal endometriosis. This case has unique features. There is no evidence of endometriosis elsewhere, and the only metastasis is seen in one obturator lymph node. Thorough preoperative and intraoperative evaluation is stressed.

Clear cell ("mesonephroid") adenocarcinoma of the vulva arising in endometriosis: a case report

A very unusual case of an apparent primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vulva in a 57-year-old female is presented. The carcinoma arose in an area of endometriosis within the canal of Nuck in the superior aspect of the right labium majus. Smooth muscle fibers presumably representing remnants of the extrapelvic round ligament were found associated with the endometriosis. Of interest is the fact that the patient underwent right herniorrhaphy 9 years earlier. Although several cases of primary adenocarcinoma arising within the vulva have been reported, none has arisen in areas of endometriosis within the canal of Nuck. No case in the literature of a primary clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis in the canal of Nuck and in association with the extrapelvic portion of the round ligament could be found.