Case of the Month
Uterine Tumor
The tumor shown here was removed by hysterectomy from a 55-year old woman complaining of metrorrhagia of three weeks’ duration. The endometrial biopsy performed prior to surgery was interpreted as adenocarcinoma.
On gross examination of the resected uterus, the tumor was identified as an ill-defined, 5 cm mass protruding into the uterine cavity and superficially invading the myometrium.
Submitted by: Da Zhang, The University of Kansas, USA.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Villoglandular carcinoma
B. Papillary adenocarcinoma
C. Serous carcinoma
D. Yolk sac carcinoma
We will reveal the answer in next month’s issue!
Do you think you have a good case of the month? Email it to [email protected]
Answer to last month’s Case of the Month…
D: Plasmacytoid carcinoma
The tumor is composed of round to polygonal cells arranged into loosely structured nests and cords. Tumor cells resemble plasma cells, but are actually epithelial, as proven by the positive cytokeratin immunostain. These cells may also be weakly positive for CD138, but they differ from those in plasmacytomas, which are strongly positive for CD138 and react with antibodies to immunoglobulins. Plasmacytoid carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a highly malignant tumor that typically invades the muscularis propria and the blood vessels.
Submitted by Ivan Damjanov, The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA.
