A morphometric study of primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina.

Abstract

Primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina accounts for approximately 1% of all invasive carcinomas of the female genital tract. This paper reports on a study of four cases of primary adenocarcinoma (including one with in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure) of the vagina from the files of the Medical University of South Carolina. Both tissue sections and cytologic preparations from each case were evaluated in order to delineate the morphologic characteristics of the cells that compose the lesions. Histologically, the lesions primarily presented the tubular cystic pattern; solid and papillary growth patterns were also seen in one case. The constituent cells included clear cells, hobnail cells and secretory and nonsecretory tubular cystic cells. All specimens were examined for the following parameters: cell population, nuclear area, cytoplasmic area, nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) proportions, nuclear and cytoplasmic characteristics. While a fairly detailed profile of the morphologic criteria for hobnail cells was developed, the cellular profiles of the other malignant glandular cells originating in primary vaginal adenocarcinoma remain less certain.

• Authors: A H Clark, W L Betsill Jr
• Journal: Acta cytologica (Acta Cytol) 1986 Jul-Aug Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 323-33 ISSN: 0001-5547 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 3461643 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Diethylstilbestrol

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (chemically induced, metabolism, pathology, ultrastructure)
• Adult
• Cell Nucleus (ultrastructure)
• Cytoplasm (ultrastructure)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Diethylstilbestrol (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Vaginal Neoplasms (chemically induced, metabolism, pathology, ultrastructure)
• Vaginal Smears