Late recurrence of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix: a report of three cases

Abstract

Three patients with clear cell adenocarcinomas who developed recurrent disease after a prolonged disease-free interval are presented. The first patient developed a recurrence in the lung 7 years and 3 months after wide local excision and pelvic radiotherapy for clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina. She then underwent thoracotomy and chemotherapy and has remained free of disease for more than 13 years after treatment of the recurrence. The second patient with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina developed recurrent disease at the apex of the vagina 5 years after radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, and partial vaginectomy. She then underwent exploratory laparotomy, partial vaginectomy, and vaginal irradiation and has been free of disease in follow-up for 6 months. The third patient underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, and total vaginectomy for clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix that also involved two-thirds of the vagina. Four years and 6 months after this operation, she underwent an exploratory laparotomy, with complete resection of recurrent disease in the abdomen in continuity with a left nephrectomy. Following surgery, she was treated with abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy and remained clinically free of disease for 1 year, but subsequently developed an unresectable pelvic mass. Despite further chemotherapy, she died 5 years and 10 months after the initial diagnosis.