Cervix, Normal transformation zone [LMP60805]

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Diagnostic Modality: 
Whole Slide Image
Disease Category: 
Normal State
Diagnosis: 
Normal transformation zone
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Female Genital Tract
Gender: 
Female
Age: 
48 years
Slide Contributor Information
Carrigan, S., Al-Haddad, S.

Keywords

cervix, uterus, normal histology, transformation zone

Clinical History

G0 Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) for endometrial adenocarcinoma. Section of the cervix.

Clinical Discussion

Transformation zone is the area where the stratified squamous epithelium that covers the ectocervix meets glandular mucinous epithelium of the endocervix. The location of the squamoucolumnar junction changes with age: it is located in the ectocervix during puberty, then migrates to the endocervix during adulthood due to the process of squamous metaplasia, the replacement of friable glandular surface lining by more resilient, stratified squamous. Immature (early) squamous metaplasia and an ongoing chronic inflammation and damage make this area particularly susceptible to infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), and therefore is always carefully sampled and examined by pathologists.

Specific to this case, the involvement of the cervical stroma by the endometrial adenocarcinoma would have changed the patient’s cancer stage. Luckily, no endometrial adenocarcinoma or any other significant pathological findings were observed.