Abstract
Introduction. Papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma (PSTCC) is an uncommon histopathological variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, which occurs in postmenopausal women. Presentation of Case. Herein, we describe a case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with 4-month history of postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Vaginal examination revealed a fragile lesion of size 1 × 1 cm invading left posterior vaginal fornice and parametrium. Biopsy showed the presence of papillae containing fibrovascular cores lined by multilayered atypical epithelial cells resembling squamous and transitional cell epithelium, confirming the diagnosis of PSTCC of the uterine cervix. After staging work-up she was staged according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system 2009 as FIGO IIB, and she was started on extended field concurrent chemoradiation. Discussion. PSTCC of the uterine cervix is an extremely rare and aggressive entity. PSTCC is often characterized by the presence of papillary structures with prominent fibrovascular cores. PSTCC of the uterine cervix should be differentiated from transitional cell carcinoma, squamous papilloma, papillary adenocarcinoma, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with papillary features. Conclusion. PSTCC of the uterine cervix is a diagnostic challenge; further studies regarding the mechanism underlying the development of PSCC are warranted.
Highlights
Papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma (PSTCC) is an uncommon histopathological variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, which occurs in postmenopausal women
PSTCC have been reported at other sites of the female genital tract [2, 3]. These tumors show a broad spectrum of morphology, as these can appear as either “papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC)” or “papillary transitional cell carcinoma (PTCC)” or mixed (PSTCC) [4]
A large series have shown that PSTCC variant is more predominant (50%) as compared to PSCC (28.1%) and PTCC (21.9%) [5]
Summary
Papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma (PSTCC) of the uterine cervix is an uncommon histopathological variant [1]. PSTCC have been reported at other sites of the female genital tract (uterus, ovaries, and vagina) [2, 3]. These tumors show a broad spectrum of morphology, as these can appear as either “papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC)” or “papillary transitional cell carcinoma (PTCC)” or mixed (PSTCC) [4]. As PSTCC are typically recognized due to its distinctive pattern of papillary growth pattern, these tumors should be segregated from transitional cell carcinoma, squamous papilloma, verrucous carcinoma, papillary serous adenocarcinoma, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia especially grade III with papillary features [6, 7]. We present the clinicopathological presentation of PSTCC of the uterine cervix in a 63-year-old postmenopausal woman and relevant literature review
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
