Overview: GYN Pathology Flashcards
Vulva
- Raised, wart-like growths
- Infectious etiology or reactive conditions of unknown etiology
- Conditions with unknown etiology:
- Fibroepithelial polyps (skin tags)
- Vulvar squamous papillomas
- Conditions with sexual transmission:
- Condyloma acuminatum (HPV)
- Condyloma larum (syphilis)
- Conditions with unknown etiology:
Benign exophytic lesions
Vulva
- Benign genital warts caused by HPV infection
- Low oncogenic risk HPV –> types 6 & 11
- Sexually transmitted
- Occur in vulva, perineum, perianal region & anus, vagina, and cervix (less commonly)
- Penile, urethral, and perianal condylomata in men
- Usually multiple lesions (may be solitary)
Condyloma acuminata (genital wart)
Benign exophytic lesion
Vulva
- Architecture: papillary, exophytic
- Tree-like FV cores of stroma covered by thickened squamous epithelium
- Epithelium: koilocytic atypia
- Nuclear enlargement
- Nuclear hyperchromasia
- Multinucleation
- Perinuclear cytoplasmic vacuolization (halo)
Histology
Condylomata acuminata
- Rare malignant neoplasm: 3% of genital cancers in females
- 30% associated with high-risk HPV (type 16)
- Classic VIN
- Develops from in situ lesion
- 70% not related to HPV
- Differentiated VIN
- Develops from premalignant lesion
Epidemiology
VIN = vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
Vulvar carcinoma
Vulva
- Younger age
- Multifocal lesions
- A/w CIN and/or VAIN
- Hx: STD, smoking, immunodeficiency
- Precursor to basaloid & warty carcinomas
Classic VIN
VIN, HPV positive (16) type
Vulva
- Older age
- Unifocal lesions
- A/w inflammation, lichen sclerosus por squamos cell hyperplasia
- p53 mutation
- Precursor to keratinized squamous carcinomas
Differentiated VIN (VIN simplex)
VIN, HPV negative type
Vulva
- In situ lesion
- Epidermal thickening
- Nuclear atypia & enlargement
- Hyperchromasia
- Increased mitoses & lack of cell maturation w/ small basaloid cells extending to surface
- Basaloid = blue cells with high N:C ratio
- Basaloid cells span entire epithelium
Histology
Classic VIN
VIN, HPV-pos
Vulva
- Invasive lesion
- Nests & cords of small, immature basaloid cells
- Immature cells resembling basal layer of normal epithelium
- Invasive tumor w/ central necrosis
Histology
Basaloid vulvar carcinoma
VIN, HPV-pos; basaloid & warty carcinoma
Vulva
- In situ lesion
- Mature superficial layers & atypia of basal layer
- Basal cells at basal layer
- Differentiated cells towards surface
- Hyperkeratosis
Histology
Differentiated VIN
VIN, HPV-neg
Vulva
- Invasive lesion
- Nests & cords of malignant squamous epithelium with keratin pearls
Histology
Well-differentiated vulvar SCC
HPV-neg; keratinized squamous carcinoma
Vulva
- Pruritis
- Pain
- Discharge
- Bleeding
Clinical Presentation
Vulvar SCC
Vulva
- Usually solitary lesion
- Exophytic mass +/1 ulceration
- Ulcerated tumors may mimic STD
Histology
Vulvar SCC
Vulva
- Spread: direct extension to adjacent structures
- Urethra, bladder, vagina, anus, rectum
- Metastases: femoral & inguinal lymph nodes
- Distant metastases may occur (e.g., bone)
- Recurrence: usually local
Vulvar SCC
Vagina
Normal pre-menopausal vaginal mucosa
Histology
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Non-keratinized
- Rich in glycogen, driven by estrogen
Vagina
Normal post-menopausal vaginal mucosa
Histology
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Non-keratinized
- Atrophic
Vagina
Normal stratified squamous epithelium
Histology
- Basal cells
- Small undifferentiated cells that resemble histiocytes
- Seldom seen in pap smear –> sometimes w/ atrophy
- Parabasal cells
- 1st to acquire squamous features
- Dense cytoplasm / cell borders
- Moderate cytoplasm & nuclei (50 um)
- Cytoplasm = abundant, thin, blue, transparent
- 1st to acquire squamous features
- Intermediate cells
- Key reference for nuclear size
- Nucleus = RBC (35 um)
- Chromatin = fine texture; normochromatic
- Slightly larger than parabasal cells
- Key reference for nuclear size
- Superficial cells
- Final surface cell type
- Similar to intermediate cells except pyknotic nuclei (India ink dot-like)
Vagina
- HPV infection
- VIN / CIN or vulvar / cervical SCC
- Immunosuppression
- Prior pelvic irradiation for benign or malignant disease
Risk Factors
Vaginal cancer
Both VAIN & vaginal SCC
Tumor associated with in utero / prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Vaginal clear cell carcinoma
Vagina
Most common primary malignant vaginal neoplasm in adults
Vaginal SCC
Vagina
- Rare tumor: 0.6/100,000 women/year
- Secondary carcinoma more common than primary
- Direct extension or metastasis via lymphatics / blood vessels
- Especially from cervical SCC
- Most patients are post-menopausal
Epidemiology
Vaginal SCC
Vagina
- Painless vaginal bleeding / discharge
- Dysuria
- Urinary frequency
Clinical Presentation
Vaginal SCC
Vagina
- Tumors range from microscopic to large
- May be indurated, ulcerated, or exophytic
Gross Appearance
Vaginal SCC
Vagina
- Spread: direct extension to mucosa of bladder or rectum
- Metastases: inguinal or pelvic lymph nodes
- Distant metastases may occur (e.g., pulmonary)
- Recurrence: usually local
Vaginal SCC
Vagina
Greatest risk factor for vaginal SCC
Risk Factors
Previous carcinoma of cervix / vulva
Cervix
Ectocervix vs. Endocervix
Histology
- Ectocervix: mature stratified squamous epithelium; outside external os
- Endocervix: columnar, mucus-secreting epithelium; between internal os & external os
Cervix
Region of cervix susceptible to HPV infections
Transformation zone
Columnar epithelium abuts squamous epithelium; immature squamous cells
- Approx. 90% of deaths occur in low- & middle-income countries
- Highest incidence: Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and South & Southeast Asia
Epidemiology
Cervical cancer
Infections
- Common cause of STD in US & worldwide
- Can progress to CIN & invasive SCC
HPV
HPV
HPV types 6 & 11
Genotypes
- Low-risk oncogenes
- Benign cervical changes
- Progress to genital warts
HPV
HPV types 16 & 18
Genotypes
- High-risk oncogenes
- Premalignant cervical changes
- Progress to cervical cancer, anal & other cancers
HPV
Natural history of HPV infection
- Within 1 year: initial HPV infection –>
- Cleared HPV infection
- CIN 1 –> cleared HPV infection
- CIN 1 –> persistent infection
- Persistent infection
- 1-5 years: persistent infection –>
- CIN 2/3
- CIN 2/3 –> cleared HPV infection
- Decades: CIN 2/3
- Cervical cancer
- HPV infection is cleared in 6-12 mos in 70% of women, <24 mos in 90% of women
Cervix
- Mild cervical dysplasia (CIN 1)
- Clinical & morphological manifestation of productive HPV infection
- Most common & benign form of CIN
- Usually resolves spontaenously within 2 years
- Low-risk of concurrent or future cancer
Bethesda System
LSIL
LSIL = low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
Cervix
- Moderate & severe dysplasia (CIN 2/3)
- CIS (CIN 3)
- Significant risk of progressing to invasive cancer if untreated
Categories of squamous cell abnormalities
HSIL
HSIL = high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
Cervix
Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions
Cervix
- Proliferation of basal / parabasal cels with abnormal nuclear features
- Little cytoplasmic maturation in lower third but maturation begins in middle third & is relatively normal in upper third
- Mitotic figures limited to lower third of epithelium
- Diagnostic HPV cytopathic effect = koilocytes:
- Multinucleation
- Nuclear enlargement & pleomorphism
- Nuclear hyperchromasia
- Nuclear membrane irregularities
- Perinuclear halos
Histology
LSIL
Previously CIN 1
Cervix
- Abnormal nuclear features:
- Increased nuclear size & N:C ratios
- Irregular nuclear membranes
- Little / no cytoplasmic differentiation in middle & upper thirds of epithelium
- Mitotic figures may be found in middle and/or upper thirds of epithelium
Histology
HSIL
Cervix
Spectrum of CIN
Classification
- Normal: normal squamous epithelium
- LSIL (CIN 1): koilocytic atypia
- HSIL (CIN 2): progressive atypia & expansion of immature basal cells above lower 1/3 of epithelium
- HSIL (CIN 3): diffuse atypia; loss of maturation & expansion of immature basal cells to epithelial surface
Cervix
- Average age: 40-50 yo
- High-risk HPV exposure: early age at 1st intercourse, multiple sexual partneres
- Smoking
- Immunodeficiency
Risk Factors
Invasive cervical SCC
Cervix
- Vaginal bleeding (especially post-coital)
- Cervical discharge
- Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
- Dysuria
Clinical Presentation
Invasive cervical SCC
Cervix
Invasive cervical SCC
Treatment
Surgical
* Small tumors: cone biopsy
* Large tumors: hysterectomy & LN dissection
Cervix
- Endocervical glands lined by crowded, atypical epithelial cells
- Hyperchromatic nuclei containing coarse or granular chromatin
- Increased N/C ratio
- Mitotic figures common
Histology
Cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)
Cervix
Most common histologic type of cervical adenocarcinoma
Usual type
* Glands exhibit a hybrid of endocervical & endometrioid differentiatiom
Cervix
- Patients are usually asymptomatic
- Symptomatic patients present with abnormal vaginal bleeding
Clinical Presentation
Cervical AIS
Cervix
Cervical AIS
Epidemiology
- Less common than CIN (SIL)
- Associated with high-risk HPV (most frequently type 18)
Cervix
Cervical AIS
Approach to Diagnosis
- Incidental finding in cervical biopsy done for CIN
- Abnormal glandular cells detected on Pap smear
Menstrual Cycle
Days 0 - 14
- LH & FSH: peak before ovulation
- LH surge at ~Day 14 triggers ovulation
- Estrogen: peaks before ovulation
- Secreted by follicle
- Progesterone: low
- Ovary: follicular phase; ends with ovulation
- Ovum is ejected from follicle
- Remaining follicle becomes corpus lutem
- Endometrium: proliferative phase
- Driven by estrogen
Menstrual Cycle
- Tubular shaped glands
- Pseudostratified nuclei
- Mitotic figures present
Histology
Proliferative endometrium
Cycle day 1-15
Menstrual Cycle
Days 15 - 28
- LH & FSH: low
- Estrogen: low
- Progesterone: high
- Secreted by corpus luteum in ovary
- Ovary: luteal phase
- Endometrium: secretory phase
- Driven by progesterone
Uterus
Increased proliferation of the endometrial glands relative to the stroma, resulting in crowded glands
* Tends to be diffuse but may occasionally be focal
Pathophysiology
Endometrial hyperplasia
Uterus
- Increased gland/stroma ratio compared to normal proliferative endometrium
- Glands with abnormal shapes, irregular sizes
Histology
Endometrial hyperplasia
Uterus
Prolonged estrogen stimulation of endometrium
Etiology
Endometrial hyperplasia
Uterus
Endometrial hyperplasia
Potential complications
- Important cause of abnormal bleeding
- Malignant potential: continued prolfieration of glandular lesions may culminate in carcinoma
Uterus
Associated with mutation in PTEN tumor suppressor gene
Etiology
Endometrial hyperplasia
PTEN is mutated in ~20% of endometrial hyperplasias
`
Uterus
Associated with mutation in PTEN tumor suppressor gene
Etiology
Endometrial hyperplasia
PTEN is mutated in ~20% of endometrial hyperplasias
`
Uterus
Types of endometrial hyperplasia
Histology
- Simple hyperplasia
- Complex hyperplasia
- Atypical hyperplasia
Uterus
- Mild crowding of glands
- “Swiss cheese” appearance
- No cytologic atypia
- Nuclei are correctly polarized, with cell’s long axis perpendicular to gland luminal plane
- Absence of eosinophilic macronucleoli
Histology
Simple endometrial hyperplasia
Cystic dilation of glands: lumens resembles holes in swiss cheese
Uterus
- Moderate-to-severe glandular crowding
- Irregular / branched glands
- No cytologic atypia: no loss of polarity; no macronucleoli
Histology
Complex endometrial hyperplasia
Uterus
- Severe glandular crowding
- Irregular / round glands
- Nuclear atypia
- Stratification & loss of polarity
- Vesicualr chromatin & nucleoli
Histology
Atypical endometrial hyperplasia
Uterus
Most common invasive cancer of the female genital tract
Endometrial carcinoma
Accounts for 7% of all invasive cancers in women
Uterus
- Increased life expectancy
- Tamoxifen use
- Obesity
Risk Factors
Endometrial carcinoma
Uterus
Types of endometrial carcinoma
Histology
- Type 1: estrogen-dependent adenocarcioma w/ endometroid morphology
- Type 2: non-estrogen dependent adenocarcinoma
Uterus
Age: 55-65 yrs
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Clinical setting
* Unopposed estrogen
* Obesity
* Hypertension
* Diabetes
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Morphology: endometrioid
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Precursor: atypical endometrial hyperplasia
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Genetic abnormalities
* Mutations in MMR genes
* Mutations in PTEN tumor suppressor gene
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Behavior: indolent; spreads via lymphatics
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Most common type of endometrial carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 1
Uterus
Age: 65-75 yrs
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 2
Uterus
Clinical setting:
* Endometrial atrophy
* Thin physique
Characteristics of Endometrial Carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma, type 2