Glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: 20-year experience from a comprehensive cancer center

Purpose: Glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) of the uterine cervix is a rare entity. This study aims at describing the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cervical GCC patients treated in a comprehensive cancer center. Material and methods: We retrospectively reported patients and tumors characteristics, therapeutic management, overall survival (OS), progression-free progression (PFS), relapse rates, and toxicities. Results: Between 1994 and 2014, 55 patients were treated with curative intent. The median age at diagnosis was 41 years (range, 20–68). Among 22 patients with early stage tumors (IA2-IB1-IIA1), 17 had preoperative brachytherapy, followed by radical hysterectomy. Among 33 patients with locally advanced disease (≥IB2), 32 underwent chemoradiation ± brachytherapy boost. After a median follow-up of 5.4 years (range, 0.15–21.7 years), 18/55 (33%) patients experienced tumor relapse. Local recurrence occurred in 2/22 (9%) patients with early disease (treated with upfront surgery) and in 3/32 (9%) patients with locally advanced disease. Most frequent relapses were distant, occurring in a total of 11/55 patients (20%). PFS rates at 5-year were 86.4% (95% CI: 63.4–95.4) for early stage versus 75.9% (95% CI: 55.2–89.2) for locally advanced stages, respectively (P = 0.18). Conclusion: Large cohort data are warranted to guide the optimal management of GCC. From this retrospective analysis, a multimodal approach yielded to good disease control in early stages tumors. Given the high-risk of distant failure, consideration should be given to adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced disease.