Expression of Markers of Müllerian Clear Cell Carcinoma in Primary Cervical and Vaginal Gastric-type Adenocarcinomas

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2019 May;38(3):276-282. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0000000000000529.

Abstract

The incidence of cervical adenocarcinoma, both absolute and relative to squamous cell carcinoma, is increasing. Most cervical adenocarcinomas are human papillomavirus associated, although non-human papillomavirus-associated neoplasms exist; the latter include gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) and clear cell carcinoma (CCC). Histologically, these 2 tumors may superficially resemble one other and although morphologic evaluation usually permits a correct diagnosis, immunohistochemistry may be required to resolve diagnostic uncertainty, especially in a small biopsy specimen. Markers of CCC include hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta (HNF1β) and Napsin A. In order to explore the utility of these markers in distinguishing between GAS and CCC, we stained 24 cases of GAS (19 cervical, 5 vaginal), 3 of cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma in situ (gAIS) and 14 CCCs (13 cervical, 1 vaginal) with these antibodies. We found HNF1β expression in 21 of 23 cases of GAS (91.3%; there was no material available for staining in 1 case), 3/3 cases of gAIS (100%) and 10 of 14 (71.4%) CCCs. Napsin A was expressed in 4 of 24 (16.7%) cases of GAS, 0 of 3 (0%) gAIS, and 11 of 14 (78.6%) CCC. On the basis of these findings, Napsin A is of value in resolving diagnostic confusion between GAS and CCC, whereas HNF1β lacks specificity and its use in this setting is discouraged.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / pathology
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cervix Uteri / metabolism
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vagina / metabolism
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • HNF1B protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • NAPSA protein, human