Synchronous primary endometrial adenocarcinoma and primary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix - A case report and literature review

Sep 22, 2026

Synchronous primary endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma and primary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix are exceptionally rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases where endometrial cancer coexists with primary cervical cancer. Management is challenging because each malignancy has distinct pathological and mutational features, requiring multidisciplinary, tailored care. This report describes a 63-year-old woman treated with radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Case Presentation

Case Reports in Women’s Health 43 (2024) e00642 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Case Reports in Women's Health journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/crwh)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/crwh](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/crwh) | Synchronous primary endometrial adenocarcinoma and primary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: A case report and literature review
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Vishal Bahall , Lance De Barry, Ryan Charles, Stefan Baldeo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Fernando General Hospital, South-West Regional Health Authority, Trinidad and Tobago | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Synchronous tumour Endometrial carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma Cervical cancer Oncology | | The synchronous occurrence of primary endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma and primary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is exceedingly rare. Ovarian and endometrial cancers represent the most frequently observed forms of synchronous gynaecological malignancies. In contrast, in less than 1 % of cases, endometrial cancer coexists with primary cervical cancer. Considering the unique characteristics of each primary malignancy, the management of synchronous tumours of the female genital tract poses significant challenges and requires a multidisciplinary, tailored approach to treatment.
This report concerns the case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection following a histological diagnosis of a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma on cervical biopsy. Histological assessment of the surgical specimen also confirmed a primary grade I endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma confined to the endometrium and grade 3 squamous cell cancer of the cervix. The patient was successfully treated with adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy after primary surgery.
Synchronous endometrial adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is rare and associated with a poor prognosis. Fewer than ten cases could be found in the medical literature. This report raises awareness and adds to the study of an unusual synchronous cancer of the female genital tract and contributes evidence to advance the development of standardized treatment protocols. | 1. Introduction Synchronous gynaecological malignancies are rarely encountered; however, when they arise, these unique clinical entities can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The incidence of synchronous primary invasive tumours of the female genital tract is approximately 1–6%[1]. The most common synchronous gynaecological neoplasms (SGNs) are endometrial and ovarian cancers [2]. While this combination is rare, it is even less common to encounter concomitant primary endometrial cancer and primary cervical cancer. Given that the multiple primary tumours involved in synchronous gynaecological malignancies originate from distinct sources, the mutational profiles of each tumour differ significantly. Stewart et al. highlighted the importance of distinguishing between synchronous malignancy and metastatic disease [3]. This demarcation facilitates appropriate staging, prognostication and management [3]. Tumours with the most diagnostic difficulty are primary endometrial and primary endo-cervical adenocarcinomas [3]. Therefore, an integrative approach to treatment that considers the differences in the pathological features and genetic constitutions of each tumour is necessary [4]. For this reason, in 2020, the WHO updated its 2014 classification of cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) to categorize SCC into HPV-associated and HPV-independent types [5]. Similarly, new classifications for cervical adenocarcinomas were made that provide a framework for understanding the pathogenesis and histopathological characteristics of these tumours and contribute to a clearer diagnosis where difficulty exists [5]. Due to the pau

FAQs

Why are synchronous primary gynecological tumors difficult to manage?

They are rare and involve distinct pathological characteristics and mutational profiles, which complicates diagnosis, staging, prognostication, and treatment planning.

What diagnoses were confirmed in the reported patient?

Histology confirmed a primary grade I endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma confined to the endometrium and a grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

How was the patient treated after the primary surgery?

She received adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy following radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection.

Sep 22, 2026

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