Carcinoma of the recto-vaginal septum. Comprehensive literature review

Abstract

Carcinoma of the recto-vaginal septum is an extremely rare entity. We performed a MEDLINE-based search on recto-vaginal septum carcinoma, focussing on its management, in order to clarify which are the best treatment options for this disease. In addition an unpublished case report has been added to the review. 34 case reports were included in our review. Surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy seem to be the most common treatment option. However, since primary surgical treatment leads to mutilation by removing a large portion of the vagina and the anal sphincter with a permanent terminal colostomy, primary platinum-based chemoradiation therapy could be considered. In case of extragastrointestinal stromal tumours primary surgical treatment seems to be the best option. Due to the rarity of this entity only limited data is available. Therefore further investigation is necessary.

Perimenopausal management of ovarian endometriosis and associated cancer risk: When is medical or surgical treatment indicated?

“…However, as previously mentioned, these mutations can also be found in deep infiltrating endometriosis that, according to Anglesio et al [50], is not a cancer precursor. Indeed, according to the results two systematic literature reviews, only a few cases of carcinomas arising in rectovaginal endometriotic lesions have been reported [57,58].…”

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum with invasion of the rectum: a case report and review of literature

“…The rectovaginal septum is a relatively common site for extragonadal endometriosis, followed by the ovary. Although endometriosis-associated rectovaginal adenocarcinoma is extremely rare, it accounts for 70% of primary rectovaginal malignancies [18, 19]. A recent comprehensive review [19] found reports of fewer than 20 primary carcinomas of the rectovaginal septum arising from endometriosis.…”

“…Although endometriosis-associated rectovaginal adenocarcinoma is extremely rare, it accounts for 70% of primary rectovaginal malignancies [18, 19]. A recent comprehensive review [19] found reports of fewer than 20 primary carcinomas of the rectovaginal septum arising from endometriosis. We identified 8 full-text articles published in English between 1950 and 2018 that described 9 patients with primary endometriosis-associated carcinoma (Table 1).…”

Rectovaginal Septum Nodule: The Key for an Unexpected Diagnosis

“…In the literature, only 2 cases of fallopian tube cancer in this location have been reported [5]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a metastatic spread of squamous cell anal carcinoma to the recto-vaginal septum.…”

“…On the other hand, cancer of the recto-vaginal septum is an extremely rare entity and in most cases it is associated with endometriosis foci [5]. In the literature, only 2 cases of fallopian tube cancer in this location have been reported [5].…”