Copious vaginal discharge finally diagnosed as cervical adenocarcinoma: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Copious vaginal discharge is a frequent manifestation of reproductive tract infections. However, when little effect can obtain treated as vaginitis, cervical disease should be highly suspected. Patient concerns: A 41-year-old woman had suffering from abnormally increased vaginal discharge without any other signs of discomfort for the past 4 years. A lot of medical examinations and treatment of vaginosis were administered, resulting in unclear diagnosis and little effect. Diagnoses: Cervical adenocarcinoma. Interventions: Gynecological examination, vaginal microbiome culture, and primary cervical cancer screening were negative, and a positron emission tomography revealed an increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism in the local cervix. After a thorough description, the patient demanded a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Outcomes: Histopathological evaluation confirmed adenocarcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix. Lessons: The correct diagnosis of symptomatic patients with increased vaginal discharge is challenging. Human papillomavirus-negative patients presenting profuse watery vaginal discharge with an abnormal signal of cervix lesion on positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging should be alert to cervical adenocarcinoma. Deep-seated cervical biopsy, conization, or even hysterectomy is conducive to early diagnosis, treatment and improvement of prognosis.