Small cell carcinoma of cervix:a clinicopathologic analysis

Objective To explore the histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of small cell carcinoma of the cervix(SCCC) and its differential diagnosis.Methods We observed the histopathologic and immunohistochemical results in a case of mixed SCCC and the related literature was reviewed.Results Histologically,it contained three different areas of cell differentiation.The majority of the tumor was composed of cords or sheets or loose aggregates of uniform small cells;it had minor component of squamous and glandular differentiation.Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells were positive for CK,EMA,the small cells were positive for NSE,Syn,and weakly positive for CgA.Conclusion Small cell carcinoma of the cervix is a rare malignant tumor in the cervix.It has a characteristic histopathologic pattern.Differential diagnosis of it includes small cell squamous carcinoma,carcinoid,lymphoma and metastatic small cell carcinoma from the lung etc.SCCC with squamous and glandular differentiation has poorer prognosis than monomorphic type.