Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix
Other names	Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma, papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma, well-differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA)
Micrograph of a villoglandular adenocarcinoma the cervix. H&E stain.
Specialty	Pathology, gynecology

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare type of cervical cancer that, in relation to other cervical cancers, is typically found in younger women and has a better prognosis. ^[1]

A similar lesion, villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the endometrium , may arise from the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium. ^[2]

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms are similar to other cervical cancers and may include post-coital bleeding and/or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia). Early lesions may be completely asymptomatic.^{[ citation needed ]}

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on tissue examination, e.g. biopsy.

The name of the lesion describes it microscopic appearance. It has nipple-like structures with fibrovascular cores (papillae) that are long in relation to their width (villus-like), which are covered with a glandular pseudostratified columnar epithelium.^{[ citation needed ]}

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  Very low magnification
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  Intermediate magnification
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  Very high magnification

Treatment

The treatment is dependent on the stage. As the prognosis of this tumour is usually good, fertility sparing approaches (conization, cervicectomy) may be viable treatment options.^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• Endometrial cancer
• Glassy cell carcinoma
• Villous adenoma

References

1. Korach, J.; Machtinger, R.; Perri, T.; Vicus, D.; Segal, J.; Fridman, E.; Ben-Baruch, G. (2009). "Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a diagnostic challenge". Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 88 (3): 355–8. doi:10.1080/00016340902730359. PMID   19172445. S2CID   5835426.
2. Zaino, RJ.; Kurman, RJ.; Brunetto, VL.; Morrow, CP.; Bentley, RC.; Cappellari, JO.; Bitterman, P. (Nov 1998). "Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: a clinicopathologic study of 61 cases: a gynecologic oncology group study". Am J Surg Pathol. 22 (11): 1379–85. doi:10.1097/00000478-199811000-00008. PMID   9808130.