A Rare Case of Plasma Cell Cervicitis in a 39-Year-Old Female Patient: Early Clue to Looming Threats

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of plasma cell cervicitis in a 39-year-old woman, highlighting the importance of HPV screening and vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.

Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a rare clinical case with a focus on early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.

Findings

Plasma cell cervicitis was diagnosed in a 39-year-old woman with negative high-risk HPV DNA testing.

Medical management and HPV vaccination led to a follow-up Pap smear free of plasma cells.

The case underscores the importance of regular HPV screening and cytological follow-up for early cervical cancer prevention.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is largely preventable through a combination of strategies like regular screenings, such as Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, which can detect precancerous changes early, allowing for timely intervention. Additionally, the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer by protecting against the high-risk strains of the virus that cause the majority of cases. Plasma cell cervicitis is characterized by plasma cell infiltration in the cervical stroma and can arise from infections, autoimmune conditions, or irritants. It is associated with high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 and features mixed inflammatory cell collections histologically. Our patient was a 39-year-old young woman who presented with on-and-off spotting per vaginum. Clinical examination and radiological examination were nonspecific. Microscopy showed polypoidal cervical tissue lined by endocervical epithelium. Stroma showed dense sheets of plasma cells along with a few lymphocytes. High-risk HPV DNA testing was negative. The patient was managed medically and vaccinated for high-risk HPV, and the follow-up Pap smear was free of plasma cells. This report highlights a rare case of plasma cell cervicitis in a young female, emphasizing the need for screening for high-risk HPV and regular cytological screening in the future so that cervical cancer can be diagnosed and prevented at the earliest.

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