Glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix and metastasis in episiotomy scar: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

The authors describe the 20th known case of cervical cancer with metastasis in an episiotomy scar, being the first case describing an implant of malignant cells in the episiotomy scar associated with glassy cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One case report.

RESULTS

We describe the case of a 34-year-old woman, with cervical cancer diagnosed 1 month after delivery. Four months later, a radical hysterectomy was performed. During surgery, a nodule at the site of the episiotomy scar was identified and removed. The histologic diagnosis revealed a glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix, with metastasis in the episiotomy scar. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed. The disease progressed rapidly, and the patient died 9 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The implantation of neoplastic cells in the perineum is a potential risk of vaginal delivery, with a 40% mortality rate. It thus seems advisable to avoid vaginal delivery as much as possible when cervical cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy. Given the rarity, there are no studies on the most effective treatment in such situations.