Primary adenocarcinoma of the endometrium associated with genital tuberculosis. A case report

Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is a common tumor of the female reproductive tract, and tuberculosis accounts for only about 1% of postmenopausal metrorrhagia. Tuberculosis of the fallopian tubes is the most frequent location; that of the cervix is the most uncommon.

A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the endometrium was diagnosed after curettage in a 58-year-old, postmenopausal woman complaining of a bloody vaginal discharge. A laparotomy was performed, and histologic examination of the uterus disclosed an endometrial carcinoma, grade 2/3, with extension to both tubes. The tumor was associated with an extensive granulomatous reaction, with numerous tubercles composed of epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant cells of Langhans and central necrosis type. These granulomas were seen close to the carcinoma in the endometrium and tubes and far from the neoplasm in sections of the cervix, myometrium and lymph nodes.

The association of endometrial adenocarcinoma with genital tuberculosis is extremely rare. Moreover, similar granulomas may appear in the surrounding stroma of the tumor. For these reasons a diagnosis of genital tuberculosis associated with this neoplasm should be made with caution.