title: Intestinal metaplasia in stilboestrol-induced vaginal adenosis.
abstract: We present an unusual case of vaginal adenosis with progressive intestinal metaplasia, previously undescribed, in a female patient exposed to stilboestrol in utero. Argentaffin cells were present within these areas, a feature not previously reported in benign vaginal adenosis. The development of the intestinal metaplasia coincided with the onset of a vaginal discharge so severe that, after 7 years, a vaginal resection was performed. Intestinal-type glands have been described in the cervix and ovary, almost invariably associated with malignancy. The possible role of intestinal metaplasia in the development of enteric-type neoplasms of the vagina is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004054:Diethylstilbestrol