Primary Vaginal Carcinoma Arising on Cystocele Mimicking Vulvar Cancer

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2020 Dec;42(12):1543-1545. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.03.007. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Abstract

Background: Primary vaginal carcinoma is a rare gynaecological tumour representing 1%-3% of all gynaecologic cancers. Several studies report increased vaginal cancer risk associated with genital prolapse following the occurrence of inflammatory lesions or decubitus ulcers.

Case: We report the rare case of an 82-year-old woman with primary squamous cell carcinoma arising from vaginal wall prolapse. Vaginal carcinoma was suspected during gynaecological examination for vulvar bleeding. A wide local excision was performed and pathologic examination revealed a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina.

Conclusion: Persistent genital prolapse may be at risk for vaginal carcinoma, and cytological and a colposcopic assessments are essential to identify patients who require diagnostic biopsy.

Keywords: colposcopy; prolapse; vagina; vulvar neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brachytherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Colposcopy
  • Cystocele / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterine Prolapse / complications*
  • Vagina / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis