Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: clinical features and future directions

Abstract

The concept of gastric-type mucinous carcinoma of the uterine cervix (GAS) has been accepted worldwide because of its aggressive clinical behaviour and the absence of high-risk human papilloma virus infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 classification divides cervical tumours into two categories: human papilloma virus-associated and human papilloma virus-independent. Hence, GAS is now classified as an human papilloma virus-independent gastric type. Because clinical studies have reported that GAS is refractory to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially at an advanced stage, and has aggressive features with widespread dissemination to unusual sites, such as the omentum, peritoneum and distant organs, it is urgent to establish new treatment strategies by comparing the molecular profiles of human papilloma virus-associated adenocarcinomas. A series of genetic mutations characteristic to GAS encourage the development of future treatment strategies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.