Clinicopathologic features of primary small cell carcinoma in cervix

Objective To study clinical pathologic features and immunophenotype of primary small cell carcinoma in the cervix. Methods Six cases of primary small cell carcinoma in the cervix were studied by morphologic and immunohistochemical techniques and relative clinical data were reviewed. Results The patients were between 32 and 52 years of age(average 44 years) at diagnosis who presented with symptoms of viginal bleedings with cervical masses.Microscopically,all tumors were composed of small-sized cells in uniformity.Four of six cases were pure small cell carcinoma,one was with glandular-like differentiation,one case was mixed with adenosqumaous carcinoma of the cervix and adenosqumaous carcinoma of endometrium.Immunohistochemically,the tumors were immunoreactive to CK and Syn(five cases),CgA and CD99(four cases),5-HT(one case) and HPV(three cases).Follow-up revealed death in all four patients. Conclusions Primary small cell carcinoma of the cervix is a rare highly aggressive neoplasm and its carcinogenesis may be correlated with HPV16/18 infection.CK,CgA and Syn may be useful markers in the diagnosis of primary small cell carcinoma in the cervix.