Abstract
Background : Two cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium (PSCCE), a rather rarely encountered cancer, are reported, especially from the point of view of the cytological features and the results of immunohistochemical study.
Cases : Case 1 : A 65-year-old female was admitted with the chief complaint of an abnormal vaginal discharge, and magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed endometrial thickening and pyometra. Case 2 : A 77-year-old female was admitted with an abnormal vaginal discharge. MRI showed a tumorous lesion measuring approximately 21×20 mm in size, and pyometra. In both cases, the cytological examination revealed spindle-shaped, parakeratotic tumor cells with hyperchromatic nuclei containing prominent nucleoli. No coexistence of adenocarcinoma cells or normal endometrial epithelial cells was identified in the cytological specimens. The cytological features were consistent with malignancy, although it could not be determined whether the cells were primary or metastatic in origin. Immunohistochemical study showed positive reaction for p53, β catenin, p63 and CD10, and negative staining for ER, PgR, p16 and CDX2. In addition, in situ hybridization for HPV was negative.
Conclusion : For the cytological diagnosis of PSCCE, especially in cases with few or absent normal endometrial glandular epithelial cells in the specimens, identification of the primary site by imaging analysis is indispensable.
