Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix Producing Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Abstract

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-producing malignant tumor has been reported to occur in various organs, and most of which has been associated with poor clinical outcome. However, because of the rarity of the reported cases, information regarding the G-CSF-producing gynecological malignancies is limited. We report 4 cases of G-CSF-producing cervical cancers. At initial diagnosis, all of the 4 patients exhibited marked leukocytosis without an obvious sign of infection. Of the 4 patients, 3 had their disease initially treated with definitive radiotherapy, and one was treated with radical surgery. Despite the aggressive treatments, all of these patients experienced recurrences within 6 months. In all cases, the white blood cell count returned to the normal range in response to the initial treatment and then increased again with recurrences. Based on the facts that the tumor cells were positive for G-CSF, the serum level of G-CSF was elevated, and their clinical course correlated well with the white blood cell count, we concluded that these tumors were G-CSF-producing cancers. All patients died from disease progression in less than 15 months. These cases strongly indicate the aggressive nature of the G-CSF-producing cervical cancer.