Peritoneal psammocarcinoma diagnosed by a Papanicolau smear: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Serous psammocarcinoma is a rare variant of epithelial neoplasia that can arise from the ovaries or peritoneum. It is characterized by massive psammoma body formation, invasiveness and low grade cytologic features.


METHODS
A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital; a bimanual examination with cervicovaginal smear was performed. The smears revealed neoplastic cells with psammoma bodies; afterward, endocervical curettage revealed microaggregates of epithelial neoplastic cells with psammoma bodies. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a diffuse peritoneal carcinosis with left ovarian calcification. An exploratory laparotomy was carried out. Final pathologic findings showed peritoneal serous psammocarcinoma with ovarian implants.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report suggests that a Pap smear can play a role in the detection of peritoneal psammocarcinoma and underlines the significance of psammoma bodies as a cytologic marker of this rare tumor.
Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maggiore Hospital and University School of Medicine "Amedeo Avogadro," Novara, Italy. frriboni@tin.it
Francesca
F
Riboni
Michele
M
Giana
Paola
P
Piantanida
Alessandro
A
Vigone
Nicola
N
Surico
Renzo
R
Boldorini
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014626:Vaginal Smears