Reproductive System, Female

Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal

Narrative
Comment:

Stromal hypertrophy of the vagina is characterized by thickening of the fibromuscular stroma of the vaginal wall due to an increase in the size of cells, not the number of cells (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Stromal hypertrophy must be differentiated from neoplastic lesions, which are associated with an increased number of cells forming a discrete, focal, compressive or invasive mass. Other differential diagnoses include vaginal polyp, which is an exophytic lesion composed predominantly of a fibromuscular core covered by normal or slightly hyperkeratinized epithelium, and endometrial stromal polyp, another exophytic lesion that commonly projects through the cervix and appears in the vagina.

Recommendations:

Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal should be diagnosed and graded whenever present.

References:

National Toxicology Program. 1993. NTP TR-431. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Benzyl Acetate (CAS No. 140-11-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6006
  • Image of hyperplasia, stromal in the vagina from a female F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is proliferation of stromal cells of the vagina.

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Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study. Thickening of the wall of the vagina is due to stromal hypertrophy.
Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study. Thickening of the wall of the vagina is due to stromal hypertrophy.
Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is proliferation of stromal cells of the vagina.
Vagina - Hypertrophy, Stromal in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is proliferation of stromal cells of the vagina.

Authors

Gabrielle Willson, BVMS, Dip RC Path, FRC Path, MRCVS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Karen Y. Cimon, DVM, MS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Karen S. Regan, DVM, DABT, DACVP
Pathologist
Regan Path/Tox Services, Inc.
Ashland, OH  

Darlene Dixon, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Fellow, IATP
Group Leader, Molecular Pathogenesis Group
National Toxicology Program Laboratory
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC