A False-Positive Vaginal Cuff PET/CT Finding Mimicking Recurrence After Multimodal Treatment of HPV-Independent Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report
Abstract
Objective: To describe a false-positive vaginal cuff positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) finding mimicking recurrence after multimodal treatment of HPV-independent gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA), and to discuss the assessment of discordant imaging and histopathological findings.
Methods: This case report was reconstructed from clinical records, operative notes, histopathology reports, and imaging reports from a tertiary gynecologic oncology unit. Treatment decisions were made by a multidisciplinary tumor board, and written informed consent was obtained for anonymized publication.
Results: A 55-year-old woman with ASC-H cytology and positive high-risk HPV testing underwent loop electrosurgical excision showing HPV-independent endocervical adenocarcinoma favoring gastric type. Following radical hysterectomy and surgical staging, final pathology demonstrated a 2.3-cm GEA with 9-mm stromal invasion in a 10- mm cervical wall, lymphovascular space invasion, and corporeal extension. The parametria, surgical margins, and lymph nodes were negative, establishing pT1b2 pN0, FIGO 2018 stage IB2 disease. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy were completed. During surveillance, three separate vaginal cuff biopsy sessions showed benign post-treatment changes, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed no lesion suggestive of recurrence. Approximately 15 months after radical surgery, PET/CT demonstrated new focal FDG uptake immediately inferior to the right vaginal cuff (SUVmax 5.8). Because the previous biopsies predated this PET/CT examination and clinical concern persisted, laparoscopic vaginectomy was performed after multidisciplinary assessment. Excision showed active chronic inflammation, hemorrhagic changes, and fibrolipomatous tissue, without residual or recurrent carcinoma.
Conclusion: Isolated vaginal cuff FDG uptake after multimodal treatment does not establish recurrence. Histopathological confirmation should be obtained whenever feasible before radical salvage treatment or systemic therapy for presumed recurrence. When findings remain discordant, further sampling or excision should be individualized through multidisciplinary assessment.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Gynecologic Oncology Surgery
Journal Section
Case Report
Authors
Yiğit Mert Bayrak
*
Türkiye
Süleyman Tunç
Türkiye
Yağmur Arslan
Türkiye
Gazi Güner
0000-0001-6504-0335
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 30, 2026
Submission Date
August 22, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 18, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 26 Number: 2