title: Small cell carcinoma of the cervix presenting with acute vaginal hemorrhage: a case report.
abstract: Small cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCCC) is a rare disease, accounting for fewer than 3% of all cervical neoplasms. However, SCCC is an extremely aggressive tumor that is usually not confined to the cervix at the time of diagnosis. Unlike other carcinomas of the cervix, early-stage SCCC cannot be reliably detected by Papanicolaou smear. The initial presentation is usually non-specific, and often presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding. In this report, the case of a patient with SCCC presenting to the Emergency Department is described to better inform emergency physicians of the existence of this condition. Based on a review of the literature, an update on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic options is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Ariel Eric
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Klevan
authors.forename: Jaclyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Vincent Y T
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*