title: Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina arising in a background of atypical adenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina is rare, with only nine cases published to date. The authors report what they believe to be the first case of primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina arising in a setting of atypical adenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tumor was studied by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intracytoplasmic electron-dense neurosecretory type granules were seen, and immunohistochemical demonstration of chromogranin A was documented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These features were found to be similar to small cell carcinomas arising elsewhere in the female genital tract (i.e., cervix, endometrium, ovary, and vulva).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure