Uterine prolapse complicated by vaginal cancer: a case report and literature review

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2014;77(2):141-4. doi: 10.1159/000357566. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

Primary vaginal cancer is not common, representing 1-2% of all female genital malignancies. We present a case of a third-degree uterine prolapse complicated by an isolated primary vaginal cancer and its surgical treatment. The cervix was clinically normal, but on the nearby prolapsed vaginal wall, a large exogenous hard lesion had developed. A biopsy of the lesion revealed a squamous carcinoma. The patient was asymptomatic and had no recurrence during the last 4 years of follow-up after surgical treatment with radiotherapy. The surgical treatment with or without radiotherapy is the optimum treatment for uterine prolapse with early-stage vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, although the majority of vaginal malignancies are treated with radiotherapy. We recommend always performing a biopsy prior to surgery in prolapse-induced ulceration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Prolapse / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / surgery