Review of Primary Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina: A Rare Case Report

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 23, 2026 Medically reviewed April 24, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Recognize that primary hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the vagina is extremely rare; evidence is limited to single case reports.

This publication is a review centered on a case report of primary hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the vagina, a rare malignancy. The patient described is a post-menopausal elderly woman, with a sample size of 1. The primary outcome is not reported, and no specific interventions or comparators are detailed.

The authors synthesize the case to highlight the clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges of this rare tumor. They aim to offer a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment, but no pooled effect sizes or quantitative findings are provided.

Key limitations include the single-case nature of the report, lack of reported follow-up, and absence of safety data. The authors do not discuss specific gaps, but the evidence is inherently limited.

For practice, clinicians should recognize that this is an extremely rare entity, and management decisions must be individualized. The review serves as a descriptive reference rather than a basis for broad clinical recommendations.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a rare extrahepatic malignant tumor that exhibits histological features resembling those of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is typically accompanied by an abnormal elevation in serum alpha - fetoprotein (AFP) levels. HAC can occur in multiple organs, with the stomach being the most common site. It has also been reported in organs such as the esophagus, colon, pancreas, lung, ovary, and uterus. After reviewing the relevant literature, to date, there have been no reports of primary HAC in the vagina. This article presents the first case of primary vaginal hepatoid adenocarcinoma. The patient was a post - menopausal elderly woman. By presenting the characteristics of the disease onset, clinical manifestations, clinicopathological features, molecular characteristics, and the treatment process, and through a literature review, the objective is to improve the understanding of this rare disease and offer a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.