A 56-year-old woman presents with a 3-month history of vaginal bleeding. A cervical Pap smear reveals malignant, glandular epithelial cells. This patient most likely has a neoplasm originating in which of the following anatomic locations?
Adenocarcinoma of the endocervix accounts for 20% of malignant cervical tumors. An increased incidence of cervical adenocarcinoma has been reported recently, with a mean age at presentation of 56 years. Most of the tumors are of the endocervical cell (mucinous) type, but the various subtypes have little importance for overall survival. Adenocarcinoma shares epidemiologic factors with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and spreads similarly. The tumors are often associated with adenocarcinoma in situ and are frequently infected with HPV types 16 and 18. Malignant cells derived from endometrial carcinoma (choice B) may be identified occasionally by cervical Pap smear.Diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma of the exocervix
Cervix
Endometrium
Ovary
Vagina
Female Genital Tract