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Cervicovaginal cytology and diagnosis of ovarian or peritoneal cancer: case report and literature review

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Abstract

Background

The characteristics of women presenting with asymptomatic ovarian or peritoneal cancer diagnosed following evaluation for abnormal cervicovaginal cytology are currently undefined.

Case

We present a case of a 51-year-old woman with asymptomatic stage IIIC ovarian cancer whose diagnosis was triggered by evaluation for adenocarcinoma and atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) on cervical cytology. We also present a case of a 53-year-old woman with AGUS cervical cytology on two occasions, found to have stage III peritoneal cancer at exploratory laparotomy.

Conclusion

We conducted a systematic search for articles to enable a review of asymptomatic cases of ovarian and peritoneal cancer, which presented via abnormal cervicovaginal cytology. The mean age at presentation with peritoneal cancer was 47.8 years old, which is similar to that of ovarian cancer of 50.5 years. Staging was provided in 13 cases, 11 of which (85%) were at least stage IIIA or greater. In terms of age greater than 50 years old, cervicovaginal cytology interpreted as AGUS, having a negative initial work-up, and advanced disease stage at presentation, the two cases presented are consistent with the literature. Abnormal cervicovaginal cytology as a presenting diagnostic criterion of cancer of the ovary or peritoneum is often representative of advanced disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Women’s Health Department, Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers, 5471 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63112, USA

    Oroma Nwanodi

  2. Gynecologic Oncology, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA

    Christine Choi & Neekianund Khulpateea

Authors
  1. Oroma Nwanodi
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  2. Christine Choi
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  3. Neekianund Khulpateea
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Correspondence to Oroma Nwanodi.

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Nwanodi, O., Choi, C. & Khulpateea, N. Cervicovaginal cytology and diagnosis of ovarian or peritoneal cancer: case report and literature review. Arch Gynecol Obstet 277, 171–174 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0428-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0428-z

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