A Case of Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma in the Uterine Cervix of 22 Years-Old Virgin / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Clear cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare malignancy that accounts for 4% to 9% of the adenocarcinoma of the cervix. It is thought to originate from Mullerian duct, not from mesonephric duct. The etiology and pathogenesis are yet unclear. But among the suspected etiologies, the prenatal diethyl stilbestrol (DES) exposure is well known to be linked to clear cell carcinoma of the vagina and cervix. This cancer occurs primarily during young age (17 to 23 years) in DES-exposure women, but occurs mainly after menopause in non DES exposure women. The biological behavior and prognosis of the cancer are poorer than those of squamous cell carcinomas and non-clear cell adenocarcinomas. Also DES associated clear cell carcinomas behave less aggressively than those that develop in the absence of a history of DES exposure. We experienced a case of clear cell carcinoma in the uterine cervix of 22 years-old virgin who was not related to DES. So, we presented the case with a brief review of related literature.