Deceptive pattern of cervical stromal invasion from an endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

Cervical stromal invasion from endometrial carcinoma upstages the tumour to FIGO stage II, often opening adjuvant therapies up to patients in order to reduce local recurrence. Deceptive stromal invasion of the cervix from endometrial carcinomas is a recognised phenomenon whereby often bland looking glands, morphologically distinct from the main tumour, can haphazardly occupy the stroma. As a recognised pitfall, pathologists have been shown to classify such an invasive pattern as either benign conditions (e.g. mesonephric hyperplasia) or a primary cervical malignancy. Herein, a case of this type of invasion is presented and the methods used to help the pathologist to accurately identify and rule out benign or other malignant conditions are discussed.