••• Chapter 51^ Gynecologic Pathology^505
❍ What is the most common age of presentation of sarcoma botryoides?
A diagnosis is made at age 5 or less in almost every case. The mean age is about 3 years old. Tumors arising in the
cervix occur at a somewhat older age. This tumor has a 90% or greater survival rate.
❍ What is the natural history of VIN?
The vast majority of lesions will regress following biopsy only. Slightly >10% will persist and <10% will progress
to an invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
❍ What percentage of all vaginal malignancies are classified as primary tumors?
10% to 20% are primary tumors.
❍ What is the most common type of vaginal cancer?
Secondary cancer from cancer of the cervix.
❍ What is the most common malignant mesenchymal tumor of the vagina?
Leiomyosarcoma.
❍ What are some of the melanocytic lesions that occur in the vagina?
Lentigo, blue nevus, cellular blue nevus, and melanoma.
❍ What type of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is typically associated with genital infection?
Type 2 (HSV-2).
❍ What are some of the potential complications of PID?
Infertility, bacteremia, abdominal adhesions with resultant bowel obstruction, peritonitis, and chronic pain.
❍ What is the term given to describe the junction of the ectocervix and endocervix?
The squamocolumnar junction is the point where the columnar epithelium of the endocervical canal meets with
the squamous epithelium of the ectocervix. This squamocolumnar junction is constantly changing in relation
to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal stimulation. The transformation zone is the area between the
original squamocolumnar junction and the new squamocolumnar junction that changes depending on the patient’s
age and hormonal status.
❍ What is the name of the process whereby columnar epithelium of the cervix is replaced by squamous
epithelium?
Squamous metaplasia.
❍ How can you tell where the original squamocolumnar junction was located?
Identifying nabothian cysts or cervical cleft openings will indicate the presence of columnar epithelium.
❍ What benign glandular proliferative lesion of the cervix is associated with the use of oral contraceptives in
young females?
Microglandular hyperplasia.