title: Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor: report of two cases in postmenopausal women with literature review and emphasis on cytological findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a rare gestational trophoblastic neoplasm of intermediate trophoblasts. It was first described by Shih and Kurman [Am J Surg Pathol 1998;22:1393-1403] who outlined its clinicopathologic characteristics in 14 cases, establishing it as a distinct entity of gestational trophoblastic tumors. It represents 1.39% of all gestational trophoblastic diseases. Most cases are reported in reproductive-age women following a prior gestation with a time interval between 2 weeks and 30 years. ETT is extremely rare in postmenopausal women. It is commonly misdiagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), poorly differentiated carcinoma or another gestational trophoblastic tumor. Limited data is available regarding its cytological features on Pap smears.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 cases of uterine ETT occurring in postmenopausal women. In both cases, an initial diagnosis of an SCC and a poorly differentiated carcinoma was rendered. We highlight the features of ETT helpful in differentiating it from other mimickers with emphasis on rarely reported cytological features of this neoplasm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ETT is a rare tumor with characteristic cytological features, but is commonly confused with SCC. A high index of suspicion is needed to make the correct diagnosis or to raise the consideration of ETT, especially in cases with an increased β-human chorionic gonadotropin.
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors: Saeeda
authors: S
authors: Almarzooqi
authors: Rema'a
authors: R
authors: Ahmad Al-Safi
authors: Waleed
authors: W
authors: Fahad Al-Jassar
authors: Syed M J
authors: SM
authors: Akhter
authors: Yamina
authors: Y
authors: Chiab-Rassou
authors: Alia
authors: A
authors: Albawardi
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*