Primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina probably arising from endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum-A case report

Abstract

A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina probably arising from endometriosis is reported. The patient was a 38 year-old woman. An exophytic, nodular and little fingersized tumor was found in the posterior fornix of her vagina. Malignant cells suggesting adenocarcinoma appeared in a preoperative imprint smear of the tumor. The condition was diagnosed histologically as poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Not only foci of benign endometriosis but borderline malignant lesions occurred in the rectovaginal septum beneath the carcinoma. Apparently this neoplasm arose from endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum.