Overview The Precursor-Cancer Connection The concept of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) was first proposed in 1953 by Friedell and McKay on the basis of two cases of cervical adenocarcinoma that also appeared to contain a noninvasive precursor lesion. However, in…
Introduction Definition Cervical squamous neoplasia is defined as all squamous cell alterations that occur in or near the cervical transformation zone and are causally related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The terms cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), dysplasia, and squamous intraepithelial…
Introduction This chapter focuses principally on epithelial neoplasms of the vagina (soft tissue tumors are discussed in detail in Chapter 9 ). The most common lesions in the epithelial group are squamous, ranging from mild dysplasia to invasive squamous carcinomas.…
Introduction Both the anatomy and histology of the vagina vary throughout life. Traditionally, the vagina is divided into thirds—upper, middle, and lower—using pelvic, fascial, and muscular planes. The mucous membrane of the vagina is covered by a stratified, squamous, nonkeratinizing…
Introduction Embryology A portion of the distal hindgut forms an expansion called the cloaca, which is a common chamber for the developing intestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts. The division of the cloaca into separate conduits for these three functioning systems…
Introduction Soft tissue lesions of the vulvovaginal region can be separated into two general categories: those that are prevalent in this anatomic location and those that occur more commonly at other sites. The former group is discussed below, “Vulvovaginal Stromal…
Introduction Pigmented lesions of the vulva are a concern to patients, their health care providers, and pathologists who interpret the histopathology. Gynecologists are particularly wary of pigmented lesions of the vulva—the prognosis for vulvar melanoma is poor because of the…
Introduction By far, the most common epithelial malignancies of the vulva are squamous carcinomas and their precursor lesions. The remaining tumors are more rare and include adenosquamous carcinomas; adenocarcinomas, including metastatic ( Box 7.1 ) Bartholin gland; and neuroendocrine carcinomas.…
Introduction This chapter focuses on pure squamous lesions of the vulva and focuses on three general categories, including benign common human papillomavirus (HPV) associated lesions (condylomata), two accepted and one rather newly appreciated category of preinvasive squamous neoplasia, and the…
Introduction The clinician and pathologist must recognize benign cysts and adnexal lesions of the vulva to exclude more serious conditions and avoid misclassifying them as malignancies ( Table 5.1 ). They typically do not pose a diagnostic problem with the…