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Peritoneal psammocarcinoma diagnosed by a Papanicolau smear: a case report
Francesca Riboni1, Michele Giana, Paola Piantanida
1Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maggiore Hospital and University School of Medicine "Amedeo Avogadro," Novara, Italy. frriboni@tin.it
Background:
Serous psammocarcinoma is a rare variant of epithelial neoplasia that can arise from the ovaries or peritoneum. It is characterized by massive psammoma body formation, invasiveness and low grade cytologic features.
Case:
A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital; a bimanual examination with cervicovaginal smear was performed. The smears revealed neoplastic cells with psammoma bodies; afterward, endocervical curettage revealed microaggregates of epithelial neoplastic cells with psammoma bodies. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a diffuse peritoneal carcinosis with left ovarian calcification. An exploratory laparotomy was carried out. Final pathologic findings showed peritoneal serous psammocarcinoma with ovarian implants.
Conclusion:
Our report suggests that a Pap smear can play a role in the detection of peritoneal psammocarcinoma and underlines the significance of psammoma bodies as a cytologic marker of this rare tumor.
