•Primary vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma (PVCCA) coexists with urinary tract anomalies without exposure to diethylstilbestrol in some cases.•PVCCA in our case showed genetic alterations of well-known cancer related genes, including a mutation of PIK3CA.•The genetic profile suggests that the carcinogenesis of PVCCA might have elements common with that of OCCA.

Adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare condition that has shown an increase in incidence, especially in the 20- to 34-year-old group. Adenocarcinoma represents about 5-10% of all tumours in this area, and, among these, the clear cell type accounts for 4-9%. This type of tumour affects mainly postmenopausal women but also occurs in young women with a history of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbe...

•A histologically low-grade cervical clear cell lesion was observed.•Proliferating cells were seen only at the periphery of this lesion.•Due to its low proliferation index, this may represent a precursor of clear cell carcinoma.•Further definition of such lesions may allow for more minimal management.

Although decades have passed since this drug first was prescribed, diethylstilbestrol continues to have lingering effects. Most nurses have heard of the synthetic hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES). Mention of the drug usually brings to mind its use decades ago by pregnant women and the more recent findings of its link to clear cell adenocarcinoma. However, many nurses are unaware of the full ext...

Accepted 15 August 2007 Published Online First 7 September 2007 The aim of this article is to provide as comprehensive a review as possible of the techniques in use in dissecting and sampling the major specimens encountered in gynaecological practice, whether these have originated from gynaecological oncologists or from gynaecologists who specialise in nonmalignant conditions. A brief descripti...