Glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix
Encyclopedia
Glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix, also glassy cell carcinoma, is a rare aggressive malignant
tumour of the uterine cervix. The tumour gets its name from its microscopic appearance; it's cytoplasm
has a glass-like appearance.
s and may include post-coital bleeding
and/or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia
). Early lesions may be completely asymptomatic.
.
Under the microscope
, glassy cell carcinoma tumours are composed of cells with a glass-like cytoplasm
, typically associated with an inflammatory infiltrate abundant in eosinophils and very mitotically active
. PAS staining distinctively extenuates the plasma membrane.
and chemotherapy
.
Malignant
Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. Malignancy in cancers is characterized by anaplasia, invasiveness, and metastasis...
tumour of the uterine cervix. The tumour gets its name from its microscopic appearance; it's cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
has a glass-like appearance.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms are similar to other cervical cancerCervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
s and may include post-coital bleeding
Vaginal bleeding
Vaginal bleeding refers to bleeding in females that is either a physiologic response during the non-conceptional menstrual cycle or caused by hormonal or organic problems of the reproductive system. Vaginal bleeding may occur at any age, but always needs investigation when encountered in female...
and/or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia
Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. The symptom is reported almost exclusively by women, although the problem can also occur in men. The causes are often reversible, even when long-standing, but self-perpetuating pain is a factor after the original...
). Early lesions may be completely asymptomatic.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on tissue examination, e.g. biopsyBiopsy
A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...
.
Under the microscope
Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
, glassy cell carcinoma tumours are composed of cells with a glass-like cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
, typically associated with an inflammatory infiltrate abundant in eosinophils and very mitotically active
Mitosis
Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets, in two separate nuclei. It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly...
. PAS staining distinctively extenuates the plasma membrane.
Treatment
The treatment is dependent on the stage. Advanced tumours are treated with surgery (radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-opherectomy), radiation therapyRadiation therapy
Radiation therapy , radiation oncology, or radiotherapy , sometimes abbreviated to XRT or DXT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.Radiation therapy is commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control...
and chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
.
See also
- CervixCervixThe cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall...
- Cervical cancerCervical cancerCervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
- Villoglandular adenocarcinomaVilloglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervixVilloglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix, also villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma, papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma and well-differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinoma, abbreviated VGA, is a rare type of cervical cancer that, in relation to other cervical cancers, is typically...