Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix
Other names	Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma, papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma, well-differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA)
Micrograph of a villoglandular adenocarcinoma the cervix. H&E stain.
Specialty	Pathology, gynecology

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare type of cervical cancer that, in relation to other cervical cancers, is typically found in younger women and has a better prognosis.^[1]

A similar lesion, villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, may arise from the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium.^[2]

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms are similar to other cervical cancers and may include post-coital bleeding and/or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia). Early lesions may be completely asymptomatic.

Cause

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on tissue examination, e.g. biopsy.

The name of the lesion describes it microscopic appearance. It has nipple-like structures with fibrovascular cores (papillae) that are long in relation to their width (villus-like), which are covered with a glandular pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

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  Very low mag.
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  Intermed. mag.
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  Very high mag.

Treatment

The treatment is dependent on the stage. As the prognosis of this tumour is usually good, fertility sparing approaches (conization, cervicectomy) may be viable treatment options.

See also

• Endometrial cancer
• Glassy cell carcinoma
• Villous adenoma

References