Cervical clear cell carcinoma: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Rationale: Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a highly invasive malignant tumor. CCCs of the female reproductive system occur mostly in the endometrium and ovaries and rarely in the cervix. So, it is difficult to diagnose cervical clear cell carcinoma (CCAC) on imaging. This report helps to further deepen our understanding of CCAC. Patient concerns: A 39-year-old female patient presented with vaginal discharge with no obvious cause, elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA125, CA153, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and underwent ultrasonography (US) CT and MRI examination in our hospital, which showed a mass in the cervix of the uterus, considered of cervical squamous carcinoma. Diagnoses: The cervix biopsy guided by vaginoscope biopsy and immunohistochemistry confirmed CCAC, combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging examination, CCAC with pelvic lymph node metastasis was considered. Interventions and outcomes: The patient refused further treatment and was discharged from hospital. Lessons: CCAC exhibited no specific symptoms, and is slightly different from cervical squamous carcinoma in image features, mainly relying on immunohistochemistry for diagnosis. The reported case raised awareness of CCAC.