Use of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of miscellaneous and metastatic tumors of the uterine corpus and cervix

Uncommon tumors in the uterus present diagnostic challenges. In some cases, the tumor subtype is usually seen outside the gynecologic tract and the possibility of a uterine primary is not considered. In other cases, histologic overlap with more common uterine tumors leads to potential misdiagnosis. Finally, metastatic carcinoma may involve the uterus and cervix. Rarely, symptoms related to the uterine metastasis may precede diagnosis of an extrauterine primary. Without the proper clinical context, the possibility of a missed diagnosis is increased. One must first be aware of these possibilities, but immunoperoxidase studies are often necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In this review, unusual and metastatic tumors involving the uterine corpus and cervix and immunoperoxidase studies used to diagnosis such tumors are discussed.