Gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of the cervix and its precursors - historical overview

Limited diagnostic performance of imaging evaluation for staging in gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: a multi-center study

PURPOSE

The purposes of the study are to assess the diagnostic performance of preoperative imaging for staging factors in gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) and to compare the performance for GEA with that of usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA) among patients preoperatively deemed locally early stage (DLES) (< T2b without distant metastasis).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this multi-center retrospective study, 58 patients were enrolled. All had undergone MRI with or without CT and FDG PET-CT preoperatively and had been pathologically diagnosed with GEA at five institutions. Based on the medical charts and radiological reports, the diagnostic performances of preoperative imaging for the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging factors were assessed retrospectively. Next, the imaging performance was assessed in preoperatively DLES-GEA (n = 36) and DLES-UEA (n = 136, with the same inclusion criteria). The proportions of underestimation of GEA and UEA were compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Imaging diagnostic performance for GEA was limited, especially for sensitivity: parametrial invasion, 0.49; vaginal invasion, 0.54; pelvic lymph node metastasis (PELNM), 0.48; para-aortic lymph node metastasis, 0.00; and peritoneal dissemination, 0.25. Among preoperatively DLES patients, the proportions of underestimation were significantly higher in GEA than in UEA; parametrial invasion, 35% vs. 5% (p < 0.01); vaginal invasion, 28% vs. 6% (p < 0.01); PELNM, 24% vs. 6% (p < 0.05); peritoneal dissemination, 6% vs. 0% (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

At present, preoperative imaging diagnostic performance for staging factors in GEA does not meet clinical expectations, especially for sensitivity. Among patients preoperatively DLES, the proportions of underestimation in GEA were significantly higher than in UEA. Future incorporation of approaches specifically emphasizing GEA is desirable to improve imaging performance.

Whole-exome Sequence Analysis of Gastric-type Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix and Adjacent Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia in the Same Case

Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH) may be a precursor lesion of gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix (GAS). However, the genetic mechanisms underlying its carcinogenesis remain unclear. To elucidate the oncogenic process from LEGH to GAS, we compared gene mutations in early-stage GAS and adjacent LEGH in the same case. Fresh-frozen tissue sections were obtained from a patient with Stage IB3 GAS and adjacent LEGH who had undergone hysterectomy. Using laser microdissection, we harvested the LEGH and GAS portions separately from these sections and extracted the genomic DNA. Somatic variant analysis using whole-exome sequencing used DNA from the normal myometrium as a reference sequence. Somatic variants involving amino acid substitutions were detected in 61 and 125 locations in LEGH and GAS, respectively. Seven variants were common in both lesions, of which the pathogenic variant was GNAS only (c.2531G>A, p.R844H), a mutation frequently reported in pancreatic and colorectal cancers. LEGH had no other pathogenic variants; another pathogenic variant in GAS was found only at the same amino acid site as GNAS (c.2530C>T, p.R844C). In the present case, LEGH and GAS shared the same pathogenic variant of GNAS , indicating that both lesions had a common origin. Furthermore, the current results showed that the second GNAS variant is associated with the progression of LEGH to GAS. Further studies are required to elucidate GAS's pathogenesis and biological characteristics.

Intraoperative peritoneal cytology for cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma: Cytopathology and clinical impact

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to elucidate the frequency and cytologic features of positive peritoneal washing cytology (PWC) in cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) and to clarify the clinical significance of positive PWC.

METHODS

The authors analyzed cases from their institution between 1991 and 2023 in which patients underwent surgery and PWC. The study included 62 patients who had cervical GAS (1991-2023; including seven patients with adenocarcinoma in situ and 26, 15, nine, and five patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 stage I, II, III, and IV disease, respectively) and 100 patients who had usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (2007-2023; including 65, 15, and 20 patients with stage I, II, and III disease, respectively). The frequency of positive PWC results and cytologic features was assessed, and correlations between positive PWC results and clinicopathologic factors were examined, including prognosis, in the GAS group.

RESULTS

Positive PWC results were significantly more frequent in patients who had GAS at 24% (15 of 62 patients) compared with 7% (seven of 100 patients) in those who had usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma. The cytologic features of GAS included distinct cellular atypia (enlarged nuclei, nuclear irregularity) and frequent formation of spherical clusters (10 of 15 cases) without the golden-yellowish mucus commonly seen in cervical smears. A positive PWC result in GAS was significantly correlated with larger tumor size, parametrium invasion, lymph node metastasis, and elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels. In patients with stage I GAS, the PWC-positive group had significantly shorter disease-free survival and overall survival compared with the PWC-negative group.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive PWC findings are frequent in cervical GAS and are associated with pathologic factors indicative of tumor growth and progression. In patients who have stage I GAS, positive PWC results may indicate a poor prognosis, warranting further investigation.

Cytologic features of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: Three cases report and literature review

RATIONALE

Cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma shows gastric differentiation, and the tumor cell morphology appears benign and unrelated to human papillomavirus, which makes cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma highly susceptible to misdiagnosis as normal glandular epithelium in cytologic diagnosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present 3 cases of gastric-type adenocarcinoma, with the first being a 57-year-old female with abnormal uterine bleeding and fluid drainage. The second patient was a 63-year-old female, and the third was a 59-year-old female with irregular vaginal bleeding after menopause.

DIAGNOSIS

The 3 patients were diagnosed with cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma by combining their history, clinical data, cytopathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

INTERVENTIONS

Patient 1 underwent total hysterectomy and adnexectomy, but refused radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Patient 2 received a chemotherapeutic regimen, and patient 3 was treated with traditional Chinese medicine.

OUTCOMES

Patient 1 was followed-up for 9 months and is currently in good general condition, while patients 2 and 3 were not followed-up.

LESSONS

The "drunken honeycomb" cell arrangement is diagnostically important in liquid-based cytology, especially when three-dimensional spheroids are present, and may be a characteristic cytological finding of well-differentiated cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma.

Preoperative diagnosis of cervical cystic lesions using magnetic resonance imaging: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

We conducted this study to clarify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH) and Nabothian cysts.

METHODS

This study included 48 patients who underwent hysterectomy at our institution between 2016 and 2020 for suspected LEGH. Histopathological studies confirmed the presence of 25 Nabothian cysts and 23 cases of LEGH. We retrospectively analyzed five characteristic MRI findings: (1) located at the upper cervical canal, (2) positioned within the cervical stroma, (3) not circumscribing the cervical canal, (4) low- to iso-intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI), and (5) "cosmos" or "microcystic" pattern. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of these findings for LEGH and Nabothian cysts using sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Combinations of findings were also calculated.

RESULTS

The characteristics "cosmos" or "microcystic" pattern, lesion not circumscribing the cervical canal, and low/iso-intensity on T1WI had a sensitivity and specificity greater than 50%. The sensitivity was 73.9% and specificity 84.0% when a combination of "cosmos" or "microcystic" pattern and lesion not circumscribing the cervical canal was present.

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of a "cosmos" or "microcystic" pattern and not circumscribing the cervical canal was the most characteristic finding that distinguished LEGH from Nabothian cysts. When neither of these findings is present, Nabothian cyst can be suspected.

Retrospective analysis of cytology and high-risk HPV testing in 1067 endocervical adenocarcinomas and precursor lesions

BACKGROUND

Cytology and high-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) cotesting is the mainstay in the detection of cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

Endocervical adenocarcinoma (EAC) is divided into HPV-associated adenocarcinoma (HPVA) and HPV-independent adenocarcinoma (HPVI) by the World Health Organization classification (2020). The detection effect of cotesting is suggested to be different among EAC subtypes and precursors, but has not well-documented yet. In this study, the authors retrospectively analyzed cotesting among adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), HPVA, and HPVI. The cohort included 569 AIS and 498 EAC consisting of 371 (74.5%) HPVA, 111 (22.3%) HPVI, and 16 (3.2%) adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified.

RESULTS

The authors found that AIS patients were significantly younger than HPVA and HPVI (mean ± SD, years: 40.7 ± 8.6; HPVA, 44.8 ± 9.3; HPVI, 50.0 ± 11.3; p < .001) and had a higher prevalence of concurrent squamous intraepithelial lesions (75.5%, HPVA, 37.2%; HPVI, 12.6%; p < .001). The detection rate of hrHPV test or cytology was substantially higher in AIS and HPVA than in HPVI (97.7% and 90.2% vs. 16.5%, p < .001, or 71.1% and 71.9% vs. 60.7%, p = .042, respectively). Cytology and hrHPV cotesting was superior to a single test in the detection of EAC and AIS. The detection rate of cotesting amounted to 100% in AIS and 94.3% in HPVA but was substantially lower in HPVI (72.2%) (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that cytology and hrHPV cotesting can maximize the detection effect for HPVA and AIS but is not optimal for HPVI.

Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: clinical features and future directions

The concept of gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of the uterine cervix (GAS) has been accepted worldwide because of its aggressive clinical behaviour and the absence of high-risk human papilloma virus infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 classification divides cervical tumours into two categories: human papilloma virus-associated and human papilloma virus-independent. Hence, GAS is now classified as an human papilloma virus-independent gastric type. Because clinical studies have reported that GAS is refractory to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially at an advanced stage, and has aggressive features with widespread dissemination to unusual sites, such as the omentum, peritoneum and distant organs, it is urgent to establish new treatment strategies by comparing the molecular profiles of human papilloma virus-associated adenocarcinomas. A series of genetic mutations characteristic to GAS encourage the development of future treatment strategies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

A Case Study of Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAS) is a rare subtype of mucinous adenocarcinoma characterized by gastric differentiation and is unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This report discusses a 40-year-old female who presented with abdominal distension accompanied by increased abdominal circumference. CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large 21.0*12.7*26.0 cm mass later diagnosed as GAS combined with squamous cell carcinoma on surgical pathology. Immunohistological staining of GAS was positive for CK7, MUC6, PAX-8 CEA, and P53 (wild type) and negative for CDX2, CK20, ER, PR, P16, and WT1. The proliferative index (Ki-67) was 20%. Immunohistochemical staining of squamous cell carcinoma was positive for P16 and P53 (wild type), and the proliferative index (Ki-67) was 90%. However, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of GAS have not been fully elucidated. As more cases are identified and reported, additional targeted therapies can be developed and tested in these patients.

Novel predictors for identifying cervical minimal deviation adenocarcinoma patients with poor prognosis: a long-term observational study in a tertiary centre

PURPOSE

To elucidate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of the uterine cervix, a clinically rare but highly invasive disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational, real-world study of 43 patients with pathologically confirmed MDA at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital of Fudan University between November 2010 and November 2021. Baseline clinicopathological data were collected and reviewed. Prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses.

RESULTS

Chief complaints included irregular vaginal discharge and/or bleeding (74.4%). Preoperative diagnosis was difficult, the detection rate was low (36.8%), all cases showed endophytic lesions, and 88.4% had deep stromal invasion, with biologically aggressive characteristics. The ovarian metastasis rate was high (16.3%, 7/43). The median maximum diameter of the tumour (MDOT) was 4.3 cm (range, 0.5-8.0 cm). MDOT was significantly associated with OS (P = 0.009), and the optimal cut-off value to define bulky MDA was 5.5 cm (P < 0.0001, χ= 21.161) using X-tile software. Independent prognostic factors included MDOT (HR = 10.095, P = 0.001) and ovarian metastasis (HR = 5.888, P = 0.008) for OS and MDOT (HR = 3.944, P = 0.028), ovarian metastasis (HR = 9.285, P = 0.001), and deep infiltration (HR = 3.627, P = 0.048) for PFS.

CONCLUSION

Endophytic lesion development and ovarian metastasis are likely in MDA. A bulky tumour and ovarian metastasis indicate a worse prognosis. Given the special biological features of MDA, it is more appropriate to use 5.5 cm as the threshold for defining a bulky tumour than it is to use 4 cm. Ovary removal should be given higher priority to improve prognosis.

Gastric Metastasis from Gastric-Type Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Case Report

Gastric metastasis (GM) from cervical cancer is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the English literature. Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinomas (GAS) of the uterine cervix are rare. GAS is an aggressive cancer commonly found in advanced stages; however, GM has not been reported. This study presents a rare case of GM from GAS of the uterine cervix in a 61-year-old female and describes the radiological findings of both the GM and cervical mucinous adenocarcinoma. GM appeared as a poor enhancing submucosal mass. The cervical mucinous adenocarcinoma appeared as an infiltrating mass with poor contrast enhancement. It exhibited mildly high and low signal intensities on the diffusion-weighted image and apparent diffusion coefficient map, respectively. This case is extremely rare and challenging to diagnose; however, if cervical cancer is an human papillomavirus-independent GAS type and a submucosal lesion is found in the stomach, the possibility of metastasis with a pattern similar to our case could be considered.

Atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia: two case report and literature review

Atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (ALEGH) is considered a precancerous lesion of gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS)/minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) characterized by an insidious onset, atypical symptoms, and often negative human papillomavirus (HPV) screening. Early screening for this disease is challenging, leading to a high rate of missed clinical diagnoses and the development of malignant tumors at the onset. Increased vaginal discharge and the presence of imaging cystic masses at the internal cervical ostium are often observed in patients with ALEGH. Therefore, we reviewed the clinical data of two cases of ALEGH that were identified and diagnosed in the early stages at our hospital. Through a comprehensive analysis of the medical history and diagnosis plan, combined with a review of relevant literature, to improve the early recognition and diagnosis of ALEGH, as well as strengthen the management of cervical precancerous lesions.

Synchronous mucinous metaplasia and neoplasia of the female genital tract with both pulmonary metastases and STK11/KRAS gene mutations: a case report

Multiple morphological changes in two or more sites of concurrent multifocal mucinous lesions in the female genital tract are indicative of SMMN-FGT, which is unrelated to high-risk HPV infection. MUC6 and HIK-1083 showed positive characteristic immunohistochemistry. Seldom is the condition described. Here we describe an SMMN-FGT patient who also had lung metastases and STK11/KRAS gene mutations. Based on the current researches, we hypothesize that SMMN-FGT is closely associated with the development of cervical gastric adenocarcinoma.

Diagnostic accuracy of HIK1083 and MUC6 as immunohistochemical markers of endocervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

HIK1083 and MUC6 have been used as immunohistochemical markers to differentiate gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GTAC) from other endocervical adenocarcinomas. We aimed to assess their diagnostic accuracy through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Three electronic databases were searched from their inception to July 2022 for all studies assessing the expression in endocervical GTAC vs other endocervical adenocarcinomas. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed as sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) on SROC curves.

RESULTS

Four studies with 343 patients were included. HIK1083 showed sensitivity= 0.64, specificity= 0.94, LR+ =8.30, LR-= 0.38, DOR= 33.36, AUC= 89.9%. MUC6 showed sensitivity= 0.51, specificity= 0.74, LR+ =1.96, LR-= 0.71, DOR= 3.48, AUC= 72.8%.

CONCLUSION

HIK1083 showed high specificity and low sensitivity as a marker of GTAC, with moderate overall accuracy; MUC6 showed moderate specificity and low sensitivity, with low overall accuracy.

Gastric-type mucinous endocervical adenocarcinomas: A case report and literature review

Gastric-type mucinous endocervical adenocarcinomas (GAS) are new variant types of cervical adenocarcinomas according to the 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. GAS is a unique disease that can be differentiated from typical adenocarcinomas—it is less common and more aggressive and likely to have deep invasion and horizontal diffusion, invasion of the uterus and vagina, early distant metastases, and a lower 5-year survival rate compared to the usual-type cervical cancer. At present, initial treatment and postoperative adjuvant therapy are not conclusive, but early detection and early treatment are a consensus that can improve prognosis. Most of its occurrence has nothing to do with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Whether it is only negative for the subtypes that can be detected at present and whether it may be an unknown subtype of infection need to be further explored in the future. The clinical symptoms commonly include aqueous secretion, lower abdominal pain, and elevated serum carbohydrate antigen-19-9 (CA19-9) levels, which may be helpful for diagnosis. MRI and PET-CT can help to describe the characteristics of lesions and judge the state of the systemic metastasis. We believe that early detection and surgical treatment will give patients more benefits. Looking for potential gene and molecular changes and establishing biomarkers to identify molecular targets will be the key to early identification and target therapy.

Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Analysis of 16 Cases of Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma

Objective: Cervical cancer classification based on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status is necessary, as the popularity of HPV vaccination is increasing. Hence, this study aimed to explore the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) in west China. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis and follow-up of patients with GAS who were hospitalized in West China Second University Hospital, a tertiary care center in west China, between September 2019 and April 2021. Results: A total of 16 cases were pathologically diagnosed as GAS at the hospital, most of which had no specific clinical manifestations. Among the 16 cases, 3 cases were confirmed preoperatively. The occurrence of full-layer cervix stroma infiltration, lymphatic vessel infiltration, and lymph node metastasis were 87.5%, 100%, and 50%, respectively. Among all cases, 8 cases were classified as stage III according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 Clinical Staging Standard for cervical cancer. A total of 15 patients underwent a transabdominal or laparoscopic extensive hysterectomy, and the remaining 1 patient was pathologically diagnosed with GAS after a total hysterectomy and afterward underwent bilateral oophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection as supplementary surgeries. The follow-up data presented the survival of the 16 patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy after surgery. However, GAS recurred in 3 non-medically-controlled patients among the 16 patients in 3 to 6 months after the treatment. Conclusions: GAS is a rare but highly malignant cancer that usually results in a poor prognosis. A few reports of GAS diagnosis and treatment, especially from developing countries, are available. Hitherto clinical routine screening methods might be insufficient to fulfill the requirements of GAS diagnosis owing to the difficulties in preoperative diagnosis and the probability of misdiagnosis. To reduce the rate of misdiagnosis, repeated deep multisite biopsies, cervical curettage, cervical conization, and hysteroscopy might be helpful in suspicious GAS cases.

Case Report: Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Submucosal Myoma Under Hysteroscopy

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) is considered a distinct and clinically important entity because it is unrelated to human papillomavirus infection and has aggressive behavior and worse clinical outcomes than the usual type of endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA). The preoperative diagnosis of GAS is often difficult because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations and special lesion location. We report the case of a 50-year-old Chinese woman who presented with intermittent left lower abdominal pain for 1 year. Preoperative images showed left hydrosalpinx and a lesion that was mainly located in the lower part of the uterine cavity. We considered the lesion to be a polyp before surgery. During hysteroscopic surgery, we suspected that it may be a submucosal myoma. However, pathology revealed that it was a GAS. GAS may be located in the upper endocervix or even reach the uterine cavity. The appearance is occasionally similar to that of submucosal myoma, resulting in difficult preoperative diagnosis and even misdiagnosis.

Spectrum of MRI Features of Mucin-producing Neoplasms in the Abdomen and Pelvis

Mucin-producing neoplasms in the abdomen and pelvis are a distinct entity, separate from simple fluid-containing neoplasms and loculated fluid collections. Mucin is a thick gelatinous substance and-owing to its high water content-has imaging features that can be mistaken for those of simple fluid-containing neoplasms with multiple imaging modalities. However, mucin-producing neoplasms arise from specific organs in the abdomen and pelvis, with unique imaging appearances, knowledge of which is important to guide accurate diagnosis and management. With its large field of view and high soft-tissue resolution, MRI has advantages over other imaging modalities in characterizing these neoplasms. The authors focus on the spectrum of MRI features of such mucin-producing neoplasms and illustrate how-despite a varied organ origin-some of these neoplasms share similar MRI and histopathologic features, thereby helping narrow the differential diagnosis. One common finding in these tumors is that the presence of internal complexity and solid enhancing components increases as the degree of malignant transformation increases. Lack of internal complexity generally indicates benignity. These tumors have a varied range of prognosis; for example, a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is indicative of a good prognosis, while a mucinous tumor of the rectum is known to manifest at an early age with aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis compared with its nonmucinous counterpart. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2022.

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.

Rethinking the significance of surgery for uterine cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment strategies based on histological subtypes are unestablished.

AIMS

Rethinking the significance of surgery for uterine cervical cancer.

METHODS

Using the database of cervical cancer stages IB-IIB with extensive hysterectomy (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] 2008) established by the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group network, we conducted a clinicopathological study of cervical cancer cases reclassified according to the FIGO 2018 staging. In stage IB (FIGO 2018) cervical cancer patients, there was no significant difference in treatment outcome according to histological type, but in stages IIA, IIB, and IIIC1 (FIGO 2018), the treatment outcome of nonsquamous cell carcinoma was significantly worse than that of squamous cell carcinoma. Considering post-treatment health care, it is important to consider ovarian preservation in young patients with cervical cancer, up to stage IIA (FIGO 2018) for squamous cell carcinoma and stage IB1 (FIGO 2018) for nonsquamous cell carcinoma, after careful evaluation of clinicopathological factors before surgery.

DISCUSSION

Locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare and refractory cancer that has been shown to have low radiosensitivity, and its treatment outcome is still unsatisfactory. A new therapeutic strategy involving multidisciplinary treatment in combination with perioperative chemotherapy at a facility that can provide highly curative surgical treatment is desired.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is being introduced for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. However, the number of eligible cases should be expanded in a phased manner, based on an objective evaluation of surgical outcomes at the facilities. Omics analysis may be useful to develop a new treatment for human papillomavirus nonrelated cervical cancer, represented by gastric mucinous carcinoma.

Pathology Behind Constant Watery Vaginal Discharge: A Rare Case of Uterine Cervical Minimal Deviation Adenocarcinoma

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of uterine cervix is a rare malignant disease with rather poorer prognosis partially due to the early misdiagnosis. Hence, better understanding of early-stage symptoms is critical. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman came to hospital with a chief complaint of "a watery vaginal discharge for 9 months". She was further diagnosed as having uterine cervical minimal deviation adenocarcinoma in cervical LEEP specimen and MDA stage IIIC1 (FIGO 2018 staging-after correction) in post-hysterectomy histopathology. Currently, the definitive treatment is hysterectomy with adjuvant therapy based on staging. This article gives concise symptoms, history, and images of MDA colposcopy finding and histopathology, through the whole process of diagnosis and treatment for future clinical reference.

Beneficial Effects of Gracillin From Rhizoma Paridis Against Gastric Carcinoma via the Potential TIPE2-Mediated Induction of Endogenous Apoptosis and Inhibition of Migration in BGC823 Cells

Tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein-8 (TIPE2), initially recognized as a negative immune regulator, exerts an important role in suppressing the progression of numerous cancers. In our previous investigation, we found that TIPE2 expression displayed a decrease or absence in gastric tumor tissue, and the overexpression of TIPE2 suppressed the growth of gastric cancer tumors and cells, demonstrating that TIPE2 could be a potential medicinal target for gastric cancer treatment. However, it’s seldomly reported that several medicinal agents or candidates targeted TIPE2 for treating diseases, including gastric cancer. To identify the candidate targeting TIPE2 to fight against gastric cancer, several extractions from traditional natural medicinal plants with anti-tumor functions were employed to screen the active compounds according to bioassay-guided isolation. Interestingly, gracillin, a component from the ethyl acetate extraction of Rhizoma Paridis, was identified to induce the expression of TIPE2 and inhibit the cell proliferation in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms that restrain gastric cancer were evaluated by clone formation, EdU staining, flow cytometry, and other assays. Meanwhile, the role of TIPE2 in the anti-tumor effect of gracillin was elucidated via the use of siTIPE2 RNA. It was determined that gracillin could fight against gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the cell proliferation participated by the PI3K/AKT pathway and cell cycle arrest, suppressing the EMT pathway-regulating cell migration, and inducing bcl2-associated mitochondrial apoptosis. Additionally, TIPE2 maybe contribute to the benefits of gracillin. These results of the present study are an important step toward the medicinal development of gracillin, and are also of use in understanding the effect of TIPE2 as a potential tumor target.

Impact of Histopathological Risk Factors on the Treatment of Stage IB-IIB Uterine Cervical Cancer

In the past decade, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix gradually increased. Recent literature revealed that the molecular pathogenesis differs by histological subtype, and the histological subtype should be considered in deciding treatments for patients with uterine cervical cancer. However, no treatment based on histological type or genomic signature has been recommended in various treatment guidelines. The Japanese treatment guidelines recommend either radical hysterectomy or definitive radiotherapy as primary treatment for patients with stage IB-IIB squamous cell carcinoma and a radical hysterectomy-based approach for those with non-squamous cell carcinoma because of its lower radiosensitivity. The impact of histological type on survival outcome of uterine cervical cancer is controversial. Our retrospective studies suggested that the difference in survival outcome by histological subtype might be remarkable with disease progression. Recent literature suggested that usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma, which is the most common histological type of cervical adenocarcinoma, showed a similar survival outcome to squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of the uterine cervix, which has aggressive clinical behavior and is not associated with high-risk human papillomavirus infection, showed resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Importantly, gastric-type mucinous carcinoma is rather common in Japan, compared with Western countries. It is therefore conceivable that the survival outcome of non-squamous cell carcinoma may be affected by regional difference in the frequency of gastric-type mucinous carcinoma. A molecular target to refractory uterine cervical cancer, such as gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of uterine cervix, still remains to be identified.

Intestinal-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the Bartholin gland in a perimenopausal woman. A case report and review of the literature

We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with a tumor on the left labium majus in the region of the Bartholin gland. Surgical excision revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of intestinal-type (CK20⁺, CDX-2⁺). Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography of the chest and abdomen and colonoscopy ruled out the presence of other tumors. A second immunohistochemical study showed negative results for GATA-3, mammaglobin and GCDFP-15. Molecular analysis revealed a mutation in exon 2 of the KRAS gene. We discuss its differential diagnosis and the importance of being aware of this unusual variant of a mucinous adenocarcinoma the Bartholin gland.

Clinicopathological Characteristics of Gastric-type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma Misdiagnosed as an Endometrial, Ovarian or Extragenital Malignancy, or Mistyped as Usual-type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

The diagnosis of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) is challenging because its differential diagnosis includes not only gynecological tumors, but also extragenital tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed the electronic medical records and all available slides to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of eight misdiagnosed GEA cases.

RESULTS

Three tumors were initially misdiagnosed as endometrial carcinoma. They displayed extensive endomyometrial involvement and complex glandular architecture, but no severe nuclear pleomorphism. Another three tumors were misclassified as usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma because of mucin-poor, pseudoendometrioid glands, apical mitotic figures, and karyorrhectic debris. The two remaining tumors presenting as adnexal masses mimicked primary ovarian mucinous tumor and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

The varying pathological characteristics of GEA reflect the variability in clinical manifestations and its diagnostic difficulties. It is challenging to make an accurate diagnosis based solely on histological features. When suspecting GEA, clinicians should consider more comprehensively the clinicopathological context, along with immunostaining results.

Clinico-pathological characteristics of patients with stage IB1-IB2 (FIGO 2018) uterine cervical cancer: a nationwide study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective analysis is to reveal clinicopathological findings and clinical outcome of patients with stage IB1/IB2 (FIGO 2018) uterine cervical cancer.

METHODS

Based on the database of the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group, 2194 patients with stage IB1/IB2 (FIGO 2018), who underwent radical hysterectomy between 1/1/2004-12/31/2008, were identified as eligible for this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had significantly frequent lympho-vascular space invasion than those with non-squamous cell carcinoma in both stage IB1 and IB2 (stage IB1; 29.1% vs. 17.1%, p < 0.0001, stage IB2; 50.5% vs. 39.7%, p = 0.0009). Among 1262 patients with stage IB1, 61.2% (772/1262) were low-risk group, 29.4% (371/1262) were intermediate-risk group (single risk: 23.3%, double risks: 6.1%). Of 932 patients with stage IB2, 32.1% (299/932) were low-risk group, 59.1% (551/932) were intermediate-risk group (single intermediate-risk: 31.0%, double intermediate-risk: 28.1%). Disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate of stage IB1 patients were significantly better than those with stage IB2 (5-year DFS; 94.7% vs. 88.6%, p < 0.001, 5-yrs OS; 98.5% vs. 95.1%, p < 0.001). Stage IB1 Patients with double intermediate-risk showed significantly worse survival than those with single intermediate-risk (5-yrs DFS: 96.1% vs. 84.6%, p < 0.001, 5-yrs OS: 98.9% vs. 93.0%, p = 0.029). Multivariate analysis revealed that double intermediate-risk was the independent prognostic factor in stage IB1, but non-squamous cell carcinoma and intermediate-risk in stage IB2.

CONCLUSION

Non-squamous cell carcinoma and intermediate-risk decreased survival in patients with stage IB2, whereas double intermediate-risk was a negative impact on survival in stage IB1.

Cytomorphologic Features of Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in Liquid-Based Preparations

OBJECTIVE

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) is a recently described, uncommon, and aggressive tumor with distinct morphologic features and HPV-independent etiology. Data on GAS in liquid-based cytology (LBC) Papanicolaou (Pap) test preparations from a North American patient population are scant. We systematically assessed the cytomorphologic characteristics of GAS in LBC from patients in Ontario and examined if glandular cell nuclear area could represent a readily assessable feature which may aid in GAS detection.

STUDY DESIGN

Pap test slides preceding the diagnosis of GAS were retrieved locally or requested from outside laboratories. A structured review of 15 cytomorphologic features was performed using the available LBC Pap test slides of GAS and a set of usual-type endocervical adenocarcinomas (UEA). Morphometry of the glandular cell nuclear area was performed, and normalized values were compared to UEA and benign endocervical cells.

RESULTS

At least 1 Pap test (5 ThinPrep®, 11 SurePath®, and 1 direct smear) was available for 14 patients. Original LBC Pap test diagnoses were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) (7), adenocarcinoma/carcinoma (6), atypical glandular cells (2), and adenocarcinoma in situ (1). Review detected abnormal glandular cells in 6/7 NILM cases. Honeycomb-like sheets, nuclear enlargement, and microvesicular cytoplasm were the single most common architectural, nuclear, and cytoplasmic features, respectively. Microvesicular cytoplasm (100 vs. 17%), honeycomb-like sheets (87 vs. 8%), prominent nucleoli (93 vs. 25%), and anisonucleosis (93 vs. 50%) were most discriminatory for GAS versus UEA, respectively. Yellow mucin, intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions, and goblet/Paneth-like cells were uncommon, but unique for GAS. Glandular cell nuclear area normalized to neutrophils was found to be significantly increased in GAS compared to benign endocervical cells.

CONCLUSIONS

GAS is under-recognized and may mimic reactive endocervical cells. Awareness of the tumor type and its cytomorphology is critical for early detection. Identification of glandular cells with uniform nuclear enlargement in conjunction with any of the other cytologic features may help avoid false-negative Pap results. Neutrophils may serve as convenient size reference and visual aid.

The Evolving Spectrum of Precursor Lesions of Cervical Adenocarcinomas

Modern classification schemes divide cervical adenocarcinomas into human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent types. The precursor lesions of the former are well known and comprise HPV-associated (usual/endocervical) adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and the much less common stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE). The precursor lesions of HPV-independent cervical adenocarcinomas are much less well known, although postulated precursors of gastric-type adenocarcinoma include atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia and gastric-type AIS. In this review, we cover HPV-associated and HPV-independent precursor lesions of cervical adenocarcinomas concentrating on diagnostic criteria (morphology and immunophenotype) and differential diagnosis. We propose a uniform terminology and diagnostic criteria for precursor lesions showing intestinal differentiation with goblet cells because this may be a feature of both HPV-associated and HPV-independent AIS.

A sporadic gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma with endometrial involvement and bilateral ovarian metastasis, a case report

•Gastric type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GAS) is rare in the United States.•GAS is an aggressive tumor and can metastasize unusual sites including peritoneal surfaces and adnexa.•Metastatic lesions can mimic benign/borderline mucinous tumors of ovaries.•There is no established standard of care for GAS.•Genetic consultation should be included in patient's management.