# Uncommon Histopathological Subtypes and Variants of Cervical Carcinoma Diagnosed at a Tertiary Care Centre: A Case Series

## TL;DR

This study reports six rare types of cervical cancer diagnosed at a hospital in India, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis for better patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper presents a case series of uncommon cervical carcinoma subtypes, highlighting their clinicopathological features and diagnostic challenges.

## Key findings

- Six rare cervical carcinoma subtypes were identified, including glassy cell and neuroendocrine variants.
- Each subtype showed distinct clinicopathological features requiring specific diagnostic approaches.
- Immunohistochemistry was crucial for confirming diagnoses and HPV association.

## Abstract

Introduction

Cervical cancer ranks among the top gynaecological cancers worldwide. It is linked to lower socioeconomic status and high human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence. This is a series of six cervical carcinoma cases analysed from 2021 to 2023 at our tertiary care centre to identify rare subtypes of cervical carcinoma. We document rare subtypes, which include glassy cell carcinoma, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, papillary squamous-transitional variant, basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and serous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was helpful in confirmation of the subtypes and in diagnosing HPV-associated cases.

Materials and methods

This case series comprises six cases, including rare subtypes and variants of cervical carcinoma histopathologically diagnosed by the Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India, between 2021 and 2023. The demographic profile and patient details were obtained from the hospital information system and archival case files after obtaining informed consent from the patients. The H&E and relevant IHC slides along with histopathology reports of the included cases were analysed and studied.

Results

This series includes six cases of rare subtypes of cervical carcinoma, comprising glassy cell carcinoma, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, papillary squamous-transitional variant, basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and serous carcinoma. Each subtype displays distinct clinicopathological features, emphasizing the need for specific diagnostic and treatment approaches, which are crucial in improving patient survival.

Conclusion

Six rare subtypes and variants of cervical carcinoma have been discussed in this case series, after correlating with histopathology reports and clinical and radiological findings. Understanding the histopathological characteristics of these rarer subtypes is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. This series highlights the importance of comprehensive screening strategies, early diagnosis and awareness of rarer subtypes and variants of cervical carcinoma among healthcare professionals. These factors can tailor therapeutic options and improve patient outcomes.