An Unexpected Case of Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix in a Non-Diethylstilbestrol-Exposed Postmenopausal Woman.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-20-2024

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix (CCAC) is a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma. It has been linked to intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) but can happen in non-DES-exposed patients, albeit less commonly. Presentation is largely vaginal bleeding, emphasizing the importance of considering CCAC in the differential of abnormal vaginal bleeding despite the tumor's rarity. We present the case of a non-DES-exposed 68-year-old woman who presented with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy after misdiagnosis as clear cell endometrial adenocarcinoma, later diagnosed as CCAC. We encourage consideration of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix in the differential diagnosis of PMB even in patients without DES exposure and for physicians to advocate for patients to keep up to date with cervical cancer screenings.

Volume

16

Issue

12

First Page

e76083

DOI

10.7759/cureus.76083

ISSN

2168-8184

PubMed ID

39835055

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