Clear cell variant of malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix: A case report and review of the literature

Background. A rare variant of malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix mimi cking clear cell carcinoma or clear cell sarcoma is described. Case. A 33-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to the hospital complaining of genital discharge and lower back pain. The stage was FIGO IIB and radic al hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were done. Pathological examinat ion, immunohistochemical studies of melanin granules, and molecular analysi s of the EWS/ATF-1 fusion gene were also done. A diffuse proliferation of a melanotic clear cells was detected in the uterine cervix. Tumor cells were positive for HMB 45, Melan-A (MART-1), and S-100 protein and negative for e pithelial markers. The EWS/ATF-1 fusion gene was not detected. Conclusion. This is apparently the first report of a case of clear cell mel anoma of the uterine cervix. Despite its rarity, this variant of malignant melanoma should be considered when diagnosing clear cell neoplasms of the u terine cervix. (C) 2001 Academic Press.