[Secondary vaginal adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathologic study of 55 cases]

A retrospective clinicopathologic study of 55 cases with secondary vaginal adenocarcinoma occurring in 26 years is presented. The results showed that they represent 2.6% of all gynecological adenocarcinomas. The symptoms included irregular vaginal bleeding after menopause. 92.5% of apical lesions were metastasized from the upper genital tract, and 90.0% of the posterior lesions were from the gastrointestinal tract. Pathologically the secondary vaginal adenocarcinoma showed extensive solid areas and aggressive growth pattern. About two thirds were recurrences or metastases in vagina after removal of primary lesions, 80.8% occurred within first 3 years. The mean 3-year and 5-year survival rate was 30.8% and 18% respectively. It is emphasized that vaginal examination with cytologic screening in risk periods is necessary.