A review and case report of enigmatic superficial endometrial spread of cancer of the uterine cervix: Need for vigilance in the primary care setting

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It usually spreads via direct invasion and lymphatics. Few cases with superficial spread to the uterine endometrium, fallopian tubes, and ovaries have been observed. The staging of these cases, as well as management, is not yet clear due to limited data. The Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging disregards uterine spread to upstage the disease, and it also fails to provide clear guidelines regarding the superficial extension to the ovaries and tubes which is not uncommon in these cases. A 63-year-old female with postmenopausal bleeding was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on a pap smear. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a predominant endometrial lesion. Histopathology after Wertheim's hysterectomy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma of the endocervix, stage 1B2, that had spread superficially to the endometrium. A total of 48 cases of cervical cancer with superficial spread were identified. The commonest complaint was postmenopausal bleed in 39.39%. In 50% of the cases, the disease was carcinoma in situ, and 70.45% of the women had disease of stage 1B or less. In many cases, the disease had reached the tubes, 36.66%, and ovaries 23.33%. All women with stage 2A or lesser disease except for one were alive at 6 months after surgery. Superficial spread of cervical cancer is a distinct entity. Endometrial pathology must be ruled out before planning management in these women, especially when managing early-stage disease with conservative therapy.