ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE VAGINA NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL DES EXPOSURE

An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a carcinoma of the vagina not associated with maternal DES exposure is reported. Histolo gical examination of the tumor showed papillae and tubulo-cystic gland s lined by hobnail cells and containing mucus. Ultrastructural examina tion showed that some of the neoplastic cells contained numerous mucin granules in the apical border of the cytoplasm. In some of the neopla stic cells perinuclear accumulation of intermediate-sized filaments wa s also observed. An immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the filaments were composed of cytocheratin and vimentin, often co-expres sed, The tumor showed estrogen receptor and CEA-positivity which could be useful in the planning of hormonal therapy and for detection of lo cal recurrence or metastasis.