Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix presenting in urine cytology specimens: A case report and literature review

Diagn Cytopathol. 2024 Apr;52(4):E80-E83. doi: 10.1002/dc.25268. Epub 2023 Dec 22.

Abstract

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) is a rare type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix that is unrelated to human papillomavirus (HPV). GEA is difficult to diagnose due to its bland-looking morphological characteristics and is therefore often underdiagnosed. Although abnormal cells may be seen on cervical cytology specimens, they are rarely diagnosed as malignant and are often classified as atypical glandular cells. As a result, GEA may be diagnosed at advanced stages, with cytology samples from other organs after it has already invaded adjacent organs. Here, we report a case of GEA diagnosed by both cytological and histological examinations of urinary bladder and uterine cervix, after being identified as a non-urothelial malignancy on a urine cytology. We also review and summarize the differential diagnoses for non-urothelial lesions, particularly for glandular lesions observed on urinary cytology specimens, as well as the cytological and histological characteristics of GEA.

Keywords: cytology; diagnosis; gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma; histology; urine; uterine cervical neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / diagnosis
  • Cytology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / diagnosis