Positive and negative controls were appropriate. Neither neurosecretory granules nor secretory granules were identified. Viral particles were not present. PSCC is characterized by multiple papillary projections lined by dysplastic cells. PSCC may consist of an in situ component alone, or it may demonstrate invasion.
Deep biopsies are therefore crucial to rule out invasive tumor.
Vaginal PSCC, however, has not been previously reported. The authors interpreted the vaginal lesions as primary papillary carcinomas resembling transitional cell carcinoma. In order to substantiate a claim of primary carcinoma of the vagina, local extension and metastatic disease must first be ruled out. Our patient underwent a hysterectomy 25 years prior to the identification of the vaginal lesions, making metastatic disease from an undocumented cervical PSCC highly unlikely. In addition, the location of the polypoid growth observed grossly in our patient occurred within 3 cm of the introitus, well away from the historical surgical margin.