2009 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 17-21
Background : Vaginal small cell carcinoma is extremely rare and its prognosis concomitantly dismal. We report such a case focusing on cytological findings.
Case : A 58-year-old woman with dysuria was found up on examination to have a 5 cm vaginal tumor arising from the anterior vaginal epithelium and invading the pubic bone. We detected no other tumors. Cytological findings from a vaginal smear showed small, round, oval cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and scant cytoplasm against a necrotic background. The tumor stained positive for TTF-1. Based on the clinical course and cytological, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings, and diagnostic imaging, we diagnosed the tumor as small cell carcinoma of the vagina. Following chemoradiotherapy, the primary tumor was no longer detectable in the vagina, but 3 months after primary chemoradiotherapy, distant metastases were found in the right tibia and lung.
Conclusion : In this case, the patient’s vaginal tumor was diagnosed as vaginal small cell carcinoma. Although small cell carcinoma is usually sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, metastases can easily occur to other organs. In the present case, further treatment with other chemotherapy is necessary.
