Synchronous cervical and vulvar malign melanomas: metastasis or multifocality of the disease? A case report and review of the literature.

Vulvar melanoma is rare and has a worse prognosis and higher recurrence rate than cutaneous melanoma. Multifocality is also more common in vulvar melanomas. A case having synchronous cervix and vulvar malign melanoma is presented and discussed in the light of the literature whether it is a metastasis of vulvar malign melanoma to cervix or multifocal originated disease. In conclusion, it is important to evaluate the whole genital system in vulvar melanomas as it is in squamous cancers.

A case of cotyledonoid leiomyoma and review of the literature.

We report a case of a rare, unusual benign tumor, the cotyledonoid leiomyoma or Sternberg tumor, detected incidentally in a 67-year-old woman who underwent total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy because of a persisting left ovarian cyst of 5 cm. This is the 14th case of cotyledonoid leiomyoma and 2nd case which had no intrauterine portion but had extrauterine extensions. At laparotomy, it was detected that a deep red nodular papillary tumor had been dissecting the posterior leaf of the left broad ligament, projecting into the abdominal cavity just near the left cornu of the uterus, and extending in downward direction. The remaining portion was lying between the layers of the left broad ligament and arose from the subserosa of the left side of the uterine isthmus. Although the bizarre and unusual shape was in favor of malignity, the frozen-section examination revealed a benign histology. Although the cotyledonoid leiomyoma is a benign entity, it may suggest a malignant disease owing to its unusual sarcomatoid appearance and its rarity. Therefore, awareness of obstetricians and gynecologists regarding this rare entity will prevent unnecessary anxiety and interventions.

Evaluation of cytologic screening results of the cervix.

The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively cytologic screening for cancers and precancerous lesions of the cervix and to research whether biopsy is overused among women with a cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). We examined 28 469 smears obtained over 5 years. The patients were referred when the result of the smear was abnormal for a colposcopic biopsy, endocervical curettage, or a repeat Papanicolaou smear. The results of the screening of 28 469 smears are as follows: 699 (2.45%) ASCUS, 67 (0.23%) low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL), 43 (0.15%) high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL), 1 epidermoid carcinoma, 31 (0.10%) atypical glandular cells, and 1 adenocarcinoma. Histologic examination of the cervix was done in 119 patients (17.0%) of ASCUS, 13 patients (10.9%) of LGSIL, and 15 patients (12.6%) of HGSIL and cervical carcinoma. In the 119 women with histological examination, histologic examination was generally performed in patients with ASCUS neoplastic Papanicolaou smear, and histologic diagnosis of low-grade, high-grade, or invasive lesion of the cervix was made in 23.5% of women with ASCUS; in these patients, 46.4% were cytologic LGSIL and 53.5 % were cytologic HGSIL and cervical carcinoma. In the aspect of these findings, we concluded that for patients with a cytologic diagnosis of ASCUS, more aggressive interventions should be performed.