A case of uterine cervical adenoid cystic carcinoma: immunohistochemical study for basement membrane material
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Published on: February 28, 2019
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical College, Japan.
Insights
This study highlights a rare cervical cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry for type IV collagen aids in diagnosing solid variants lacking typical patterns.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cervical neoplasm.
- Limited immunohistochemical studies exist for cervical ACC basement membrane material.
Observation:
- A solid variant of cervical ACC was diagnosed in an 80-year-old woman presenting with vaginal bleeding.
- The tumor lacked typical cribriform patterns, showing nests of small carcinoma cells.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed intercellular cylinders of basement membrane material (type IV collagen, laminin) in solid areas.
Findings:
- Intercellular cylinders positive for type IV collagen were identified in the solid variant of cervical ACC.
- These findings were present despite the absence of a characteristic cribriform pattern.
Implications:
- Immunohistochemistry for type IV collagen is a valuable diagnostic tool for solid variant cervical ACC.
- This aids in accurate diagnosis when classic histological features are absent.
Background:
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the cervix. Only two reports of immunohistochemical studies for basement membrane material in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix have been reported.
Case:
An 80-year-old Japanese woman complained of atypical vaginal bleeding and underwent removal of a cervical polyp; the biopsy specimen revealed a solid variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The tumor was composed of nests and nodules of small carcinoma cells, and there were few characteristic cribriform patterns. Immunohistochemical findings for type IV collagen and laminin revealed intercellular cylinders composed of basement membrane material in the solid area without a cribriform pattern.
Conclusion:
The immunohistochemical finding of intercellular cylinders that reacted for type IV collagen was useful for the diagnosis of a solid variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma.
