Primary vaginal villous adenoma – A rare case report

Introduction

Primary villous adenomas of vaginal vault with enteric type morphology are very rare as compared to their gastrointestinal counterparts and they may have malignant potential.^[1], ^[2] Villous adenomas usually arise in colon and rectum and are premalignant.^[3] Their origin in the vagina is speculated to be from cloacal remnants or acquired intestinal metaplasia. ^[3], ^[4] Morphologically vaginal adenomas are similar to similar to gastro-intestinal adenomas and can be tubular, tubulo-villous, and villous type. ^[1], ^[5] There may be varying degrees of dysplasia based on morphological and cytological criteria similar to their intestinal counterparts classified as low grade and high grade. This influences the rate of premalignant to malignant conversion in a statistically significant manner. The current case had vaginal villous adenoma with high grade dysplasia. Due to unusual location these can possess a diagnostic dilemma if there is lack of understanding of this specific entity. It would be prudent to note that only a handful of cases, approximately less than 10, have been reported in English literature (specific to this entity of primary villous adenoma of the vagina).

Case Report

A 28-year-old woman presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. On gynaecological examination a soft well-defined polypoidal growth measuring 1 x 1 x 1 cm was noted at posterior vaginal vault. The patient did not have any other similar lesions elsewhere and she had no other systemic illness. The polyp was excised and we received fragmented congested tissue bits for histopathology. The sample was processed entirely and slides were stained with haematoxylin and eosin.

Microscopic findings

Sections studied showed epithelial finger-like projection (intestinal type) formed by fibro-vascular cores lined by dysplastic epithelium (villous architecture from). The epithelium was pseudostratified columnar with moderate amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm. Nuclei were elongated to ovoid with vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli. At places the thickness of epithelium was increased and nuclei occupied the full thickness. Loss of nuclear polarity was noted. Mitotic activity was brisk with atypical mitosis. Fibrovascular stroma showed chronic inflammation and invasion into the stroma and stalk was absent. Based on above findings diagnosis of primary vaginal villous adenoma with high grade dysplasia was made ([Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]).

Discussion

Tubulo-villous adenomas are a common occurrence in gastro-intestinal tract; however they are rare in other sites. A few case reports of primary villous adenoma with intestinal type morphology arising from urinary bladder, urethra and cervix have been described as well.^[4], ^[6] Villous adenoma of endodermal origin with involvement of rectovaginal septum in a 72-year-old female was first described in 1987. ^[7]

In the present case; the polypoidal lesion was arising from the posterior vaginal vault. Posterior vaginal wall was the common site for enteric type lesions and intestinal type adenocarcinomas in few pervious studies.^[2], ^[8]

As per discussion by Shivaprakash et al and Pena-Fernandez et al the origin of these lesions is speculated to be from cloacal remnants.^[3], ^[5] Other theories for origin of glandular lesion in vagina are dysplasia following intestinal metaplasia (acquired), outgrowing contiguous gastrointestinal neoplasm or metastasis from a distant gastrointestinal neoplasm.^[9] Few studies suggest that tissue of mullerian origin may undergo intestinal metaplasia. The vagina is derived embryologically from the urogenital sinus and enteric type tumors may arise from cloacal remnants.^[4]

Villous adenomas may eventually develop into adenocarcinomas and Creswell et al have described their relation with diethylstilbesterol (DES) exposure in utero.^[1] Our case did not have the above risk factor.

The current case which we describe in this study had a polypoidal lesion; quite similar to previous studies.^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10] The morphology in the current case was similar to villous adenomas arising in gastrointestinal tract. As per discussion by Pena-Fernandez the tubulo-villous pattern was more common in vagina than pure villous architecture.^[5] Our case showed a purely villous pattern. These villi were lined by dysplastic columnar epithelium which stratified and had a central fibrovascular core. These findings were similar to the case described by Shivaprakash et al.^[3] Due to paucity of data it is not possible to state the exact rate of conversion of this known but rare premalignant lesion in this anatomic site; more studies would be required for the same. In the same note we would like to add that there is paucity of molecular data however APC, K-RAS, p53 or BRAF genes are implicated in their colonic counterparts.^[5], ^[11]

Conclusion

Primary villous adenomas of vagina are exceedingly rare compared to gastro-intestinal adenomas. They are hypothesized to originate from adenosis or cloacal remnants in the rectovaginal septum. Owing to their pre-malignant behaviour and unusual location meticulous clinical and histopathological correlation is advised. Regular close follow up of the patients with intestinal tumors outside gastro-intestinal system is advised to rule out any associated syndrome or primary gastrointestinal neoplasms.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None Declared.