Evaluation of benign glandular inclusions in retroperitoneal lymph nodes of the female genital tract

SummaryBenign glandular inclusions (BGI) of retroperitoneal nodes are rare. We reviewed 1039 Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomies performed for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Additionally we used a panel of antibodies (CEA, Ber EP-4, HEA 125). The frequency of benign glandular inclusions was 3·34 per cent of all hysterectomy specimens. The majority of BGI were located at the capsular and trabecular system of the lymph nodes. Menstrual changes or endometrioid stroma were never observed. The lesions were lined mostly by one layered cuboidal epithelium, resembling normal tubal mucosa. BGI showed a strong positive reaction with antibodies against Ber EP-4 and HEA 125 in 81·2 per cent and 64·3 per cent. All BGI showed a negative reaction against CEA, except for one metastasis of an endometnoid cervical adenocarcinoma. We support the theory, that BGI are derived from coelomic epithelium. They arise postnatally and produce structures similar to those of the primary Mullerian system and can so be summari...