Serous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases and a review of the literature.

Background/aims: To determine the clinicopathological characteristics and potentially associated outcomes in patients diagnosed with serous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Methods: The records of surgically-treated patients with pathological stage pT1b-2b serous adenocarcinoma were reviewed.

Results: Of 12 patients with serous adenocarcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy, five had pT1b1N0 disease, two pT1b1N1, two pT1b2N0, and three pT2bN1. The 5-year overall survival rate for patients with or without parametrial involvement (pT2b vs. pT1b) was 0 and 89%, respectively. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate for those with or without parametrial involvement was 33 and 89%, respectively. Four patients suffered recurrence, namely one of those who had pT1b (1/9, 11%) and 3 of those who had pT2b disease (100%). The sites of recurrence of pT2b disease were outside the pelvis in all 3 patients. Of these, 2 (67%) had peritoneal spread and 1 distant node metastasis.

Conclusion: While patients with pathological stage pT1b disease may have a relatively favorable outcome after radical surgery, those with more advanced disease have a poor prognosis because of extra-pelvic recurrence.