ADENOID BASAL CARCINOMA OF THE VAGINA

Adenoid basal carcinomas of the cervix, although rare, have been descr ibed. We report a rare ease of adenoid basal carcinoma of the vagina. A 64-year-old patient with persistent ASCUS on cytologic screening was found to have a 2.5-cm lesion protruding from the right vaginal sidew all. LEEP excision was performed. A second 0.5-cm lesion distal to the primary tumor site was subsequently excised by LEEP. Both specimens w ere determined to be adenoid basal carcinomas of the vagina. The patie nt is presently without evidence for recurrent cancer 33 months after primary tumor resection. This case demonstrates pathologic and clinica l similarities to adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix. Adenoid basal carcinomas are less aggressive than adenocarcinomas or adenoid cystic carcinomas of the cervix and have been adequately treated with nonrad ical surgery such as conization, trachelectomy, or total abdominal hys terectomy. Our experience suggests that adenoid basal carcinoma of the vagina also may be treated with conservative surgical excision withou t need for radical vaginectomy or radiation therapy.