Histopathological/Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cervical Adenocarcinomas seen in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cervix is on the increase in many parts of the world. There is paucity of information regarding this in our setting. Objective: To describe the histopathological pattern of cervical adenocarcinomas and to highlight the role of immunohistochemistry in diagnostic dilemmas. Method: This is a descriptive analysis of consecutive adenocarcinomas of the cervix as seen in the histopathology department of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos over a six year period, between January 2005 and December 2010. Result: Of the 240 cervical surgical specimens received over the period of study, 44 (18.3%) were cervical malignancies. Of these 13 (30%) were adenocarcinoma and 31(70.5%) squamous cell carcinoma. The percentages for the different histologic subtypes of the adenocarcinomas were, pure adenocarcinoma (53.8%), adenosquamous carcinoma (23.1%) small cell carcinoma (15.4%) and metastatic adenocarcinoma (7.7%). Conclusion: Cervical adenocarcinomas constituted 30% of all cervical malignancies in JUTH, second only to squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Pure form of adenocarcinoma is the commonest type of adenocarcinoma while metastatic adenocarcinoma is the least common type. Immunohistochemistry to differentiate adenocarcinomas of primary cervical origin from metastases is valuable.