2009, Number 2
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Patol Rev Latinoam 2009; 47 (2)
Atypical stromal cells as a diagnostic pitfall in lesions of the lower female genital tract and uterus: a review and presentation of some unusual cases
Rodrigues MI, Goez E, Larios KK, Cuevas M, Fernandez JA, Stolnicu SS, Nogales FF
Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 103-107
PDF size: 193.14 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Background: Atypical stromal cells of the female genital tract represent a potential diagnostic pitfall in biopsy material and are a relatively uncommon finding in polypoid lesions of the vulva, vagina, cervix and endometrium.
Objective: To report the pathological findings of 12 such cases who were sent in consultation with a presumptive diagnosis of malignancy.
Material and methods: Clinicopathological review of 12 cases with immunohistochemical study of actin, desmin, S100, Ki67, ER and PR.
Results: Atypical stromal cells were found in a multifocal pattern in three cases of vulval lesions (including one case of lichen sclerosus), 2 vaginal polyps, 2 cervical cases which included one prolapsed cervix and a squamous cell carcinoma and finally, 4 cases of endometrial polyps and one case of adenomyosis. Immunohistochemically, the atypical stromal cells were positive for ER, PgR but only focally for actin. Their Ki67 index was low.
Conclusions: Atypical stromal cells are non-specific reactive or degenerative with a very low proliferation index that have hormonal receptors and capacity to express both smooth muscle and endometrial stromal markers. We present hitherto unreported cases of ASCs in association with vulval lichen sclerosus, squamous cell carcinoma in cervix and prolapsed cervix. Further differential diagnoses with cervical exaggerated implantation site and cervical blue nevi are emphasized since both trophoblastic and naevic cells exhibit similar nuclear features.
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