Cervical Cancer in Mexico: A Case Study-SCC
Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem in Mexico having the highest
cervical cancer mortality rate in the world. Each year more than 4,000 Mexican
women die from cervical cancer.
The mortality and high incidence rate of cervical cancer are evidence of the low
impact of the Mexican National Cervical Cancer Screening Program (CCSP). Cervical
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women in Mexico. It is the second
most frequent cause of death for Mexican women and the principal cause of death
for women between 15 and 49 years of age.
Clinical History/Findings
The patient is a 56 year-old Hispanic female from Mexico The patient presented with
a friable cervix. A gross lesion was not evident. The patient has a history of
invasive epidermoid carcinoma disgnosed on a conventional Pap collected in a clinic
in Mexico.
Specimen Type
A. A conventional Pap (CV) collected ~ 1 month prior by a clinic in Mexico was
available for consultation.
B. An endocervical sample was obtained and submitted in 20 mL of Preservcyt,
ThinPrep Pap Test (TP)
Cytologic Diagnosis
A. Cytologic Dx on Conventional: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
B. Cytologic Dx on ThinPrep: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Commentary: This case presents a side-by side comparison of squamous cell
carcinoma on conventional Pap vs Liquid-based Pap (ThinPrep). The diagnosis is
concordant. What is notable is despite the difference in presentation and the
dispersion of the cells, the classic features of squamous cell carcinoma are equally
and classically represented on each preparation.
Submitted by:
Ann Marie West, BS, CT (ASCP)
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Dallas, Texas
Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem in Mexico having the highest
cervical cancer mortality rate in the world. Each year more than 4,000 Mexican
women die from cervical cancer.
The mortality and high incidence rate of cervical cancer are evidence of the low
impact of the Mexican National Cervical Cancer Screening Program (CCSP). Cervical
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women in Mexico. It is the second
most frequent cause of death for Mexican women and the principal cause of death
for women between 15 and 49 years of age.
Clinical History/Findings
The patient is a 56 year-old Hispanic female from Mexico The patient presented with
a friable cervix. A gross lesion was not evident. The patient has a history of
invasive epidermoid carcinoma disgnosed on a conventional Pap collected in a clinic
in Mexico.
Specimen Type
A. A conventional Pap (CV) collected ~ 1 month prior by a clinic in Mexico was
available for consultation.
B. An endocervical sample was obtained and submitted in 20 mL of Preservcyt,
ThinPrep Pap Test (TP)
Cytologic Diagnosis
A. Cytologic Dx on Conventional: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
B. Cytologic Dx on ThinPrep: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Commentary: This case presents a side-by side comparison of squamous cell
carcinoma on conventional Pap vs Liquid-based Pap (ThinPrep). The diagnosis is
concordant. What is notable is despite the difference in presentation and the
dispersion of the cells, the classic features of squamous cell carcinoma are equally
and classically represented on each preparation.
Submitted by:
Ann Marie West, BS, CT (ASCP)
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Dallas, Texas
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Slide 1: A. CV Pap. Loose
aggregates and single cells
displaying a variety of abnormal
features. Heavily keratinized
spindle and tadpole cells with
dense chromatin clumping and
nuclear pleomorphism. Tumor
diathesis is present.
aggregates and single cells
displaying a variety of abnormal
features. Heavily keratinized
spindle and tadpole cells with
dense chromatin clumping and
nuclear pleomorphism. Tumor
diathesis is present.
Slide 2: A. CV Pap. A large
tissue fragment of malignant
squamous cells displaying
discohesion, keratinization, and
extreme nuclear pleomorphism.
tissue fragment of malignant
squamous cells displaying
discohesion, keratinization, and
extreme nuclear pleomorphism.
Slide 3: B. TP. Heavily
keratinized single cells with
irregular nuclear borders,
chromatin clumping, and
nuclear membrane
irregularities.
keratinized single cells with
irregular nuclear borders,
chromatin clumping, and
nuclear membrane
irregularities.
Slide 4: B. TP. Tissue
fragment of squoumous cell
carcinoma adjacent to a small
aggregate of abnormal cells
displaying irregular nuclear
borders, pleomorphism, and
chromitin clumping.
fragment of squoumous cell
carcinoma adjacent to a small
aggregate of abnormal cells
displaying irregular nuclear
borders, pleomorphism, and
chromitin clumping.
| The Texas Society of Cytology |
