Carcinoma of the uterine cervix with variegated histological patterns and calcitonin production

This is a report of a calcitonin-producing cervical cancer with variegated histological patterns. The levels of calcitonin correlated with the clinical course. Multiple lung metastases were completely controlled by cisplatin/Adriamycin/cyclophasphamide combination chemotherapy, although only for a short period. Microscopically, the tumor showed dominant small cell carcinoma; however, it did show differentiation into large cell nonkeratinizing carcinoma, keratinizing carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and possibly carcinoid. Ultrastructural study revealed a few dense core secretory granules. Multiple immunohistochemical studies were performed. It is presumed that the tumor originated from the totipotent, immature precursor cells in the cervix and differentiated into endocrine carcinoma, squamous cell cancer, and adenocarcinoma.