What is Mesonephric Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina/Cervix?
Mesonephric Adenocarcinoma is a very rare type of cancer that can develop in the cervix or vagina. It starts from special leftover tissue called “mesonephric remnants,” which are small pieces of tissue from the early development of the baby in the womb. These remnants usually disappear before birth, but sometimes they stay in the body, especially in women. In very rare cases, these remnants turn into cancer many years later, often in adult women.
This type of cancer is different from the more common cervical cancers that are linked to the HPV virus. Mesonephric adenocarcinoma is not caused by HPV. Because it is so rare, it can be difficult to diagnose at first. It mostly affects women between 40 and 70 years of age.
Symptoms
Most women with this cancer notice abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially bleeding after menopause or between periods. Some may feel pain during sex, have unusual vaginal discharge, or feel a lump in the vaginal or cervical area during a pelvic exam. Since these symptoms can also occur with other, less serious conditions, it often takes time to find out the exact cause.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by a pelvic exam followed by imaging tests like ultrasound or MRI to locate the tumour. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the tumour and examining it under a microscope. The pathologist will look for the specific cell types that match this rare cancer.
Treatment
Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the affected area. If the tumour is in the cervix, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is often done.
If the cancer is in the vagina, surgeons may remove part of the vaginal wall. Depending on the case, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be added to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of the cancer returning.
Prognosis
The outlook for this cancer depends on how early it is found and treated. When discovered at an early stage and treated properly, many women do well. Because the cancer is so rare and can sometimes come back, regular follow-up care is very important after treatment.
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