Acute myelogenous leukemia relapsing as granulocytic sarcoma of the cervix. A case report

Granulocytic sarcoma of the uterine cervix is an unusual manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia, representing soft tissue masses of leukemic myeloblasts. An often misdiagnosed entity, it is often confused with other inflammatory or neoplastic conditions, including large cell lymphoma.

A 67-year-old female presented with acute myelogenous leukemia and a normal karyotype. After eight years in complete remission, abdominal pain and an ulcerated mass in the uterine cervix developed, with a normal peripheral blood smear. Vaginal cytology examination revealed myeloid blasts, which, on subsequent cervical biopsy, stained positive for leukocyte common antigen, Kp-1 (CD68), antimyeloperoxidase, lysozyme and chloroacetate esterase, confirming the cytologic diagnosis. K-ras was not mutated at codon 12 or 13. Chemotherapy induced a complete remission, followed nine months later by central nervous system and then systemic relapse. The patient died 13 months after being diagnosed with granulocytic sarcoma of the cervix.

This case illustrates the value of vaginal cytology and histologic biopsy evaluation in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, including those without evidence of systemic disease. The characteristic cytologic features of granulocytic sarcoma led to the correct diagnosis. Histologic biopsy evaluation, including immunohistochemistry for myeloid markers, proved of value in confirming the diagnosis.