Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the cervix: case report and review of the literature

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2010 Mar;29(2):181-4. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0b013e3181b70176.

Abstract

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix has 5 subtypes: endocervical, intestinal, signet-ring cell, minimal deviation, and villoglandular. There are only rare reports of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the cervix in the literature. Herein we report a 53-year-old woman with cervical adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell morphology. Thorough systemic examination did not reveal another primary focus. DNA extraction from paraffin-embedded tissue revealed the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) type 18, which supports the cervical origin of the tumor. Signet-ring cell morphology can be observed in both benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Most of the malignant lesions are metastatic. Histological features and immunohistochemical profiles are discussed, and a review of signet-ring cell morphology in the uterine cervix is included.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / virology
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / surgery
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / surgery
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral