Glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix a rare histology. Report of three cases with a review of the literature

Abstract

Glassy cell carcinoma is a poorly differentiated variant of adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix associated with an aggressive course and a poor prognosis. We present three cases of glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix. Patients presented with a cervical growth which was biopsied. Histology the tumours showed nests of cells with a granular or clear cytoplasm, displaying marked pleomorphism and mitoses. Stroma showed an eosinophilic infiltrate. Two tumours showed a pure glassy cell pattern and one showed glandular differentiation with intracellular and extracellular mucin. Patients were treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy but showed a poor response. Two patients died of the disease of pelvic or distant metastases within two years of diagnosis and one was lost to follow up. Although glassy cell carcinoma runs an aggressive clinical course, an early diagnosis may help in a more effective management and offer a better prognosis.