Thin-layer cytology findings of small cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract. Review of three cases with molecular analysis.

Objective: To describe the thin-layer cytology findings of small cell carcinoma of the low female genital tract, with histologic correlation and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping.

Study Design: The authors reviewed the clinical findings, thin-layer cytology and histologic features of small cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract (cervix or vagina) occurring in three postmenopausal Chinese women at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, over a four-year period, from January 1998 to December 2001. Molecular techniques for HPV screening and genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were employed on the cytologic specimens.