Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervix: A case report and review of the literature

• To date, only 18 cases with primary signet cell carcinoma of the cervix has been reported.
• Differentiation of primary tumour from metastatic signet cell carcinoma carries significant important while treatment and prognosis differ significantly.

IntroductionPrimary signet cell carcinoma of the cervix has been reported only in 18 cases to date.Presentation of caseA 48-year-old woman was seen at our Gynecologic Oncology Unit, because she complained postcoital bleeding during the last three months. She had 1–2 cm cervical mass, originating from the endocervical canal. A biopsy revealed a signet ring cell-type adenocarcinoma. Suspected primary sites were excluded after gastroscopy, colonoscopy and mammography. The patient underwent a laparoscopic type-3 radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo–oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection and paraaortic lymph node dissection with a presumed diagnosis of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervix. Microscopically, the tumour consisted of 70% signet ring cell type and 30% endocervical adenocarcinoma. She did not receive any adjuvant treatment. Follow-up at 18 months after surgery showed no evidence of recurrence.DiscussionNineteenth case of a primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervix was presented. Immunohistochemical studies and HPV DNA positivity may help in diagnosis.ConclusionIt is crucial to differentiate primary tumour from metastatic signet cell carcinoma, while treatment and prognosis differ significantly.