Ectopic decidual cell reaction in para-aortic and pelvic lymph nodes in the presence of cervical squamous cell carcinoma during pregnancy

Bilateral para-aortic lymphadenectomy is routine prior to radical surgery in cancer of the cervix. A pregnant patient with invasive cancer of the cervix and ectopic decidual cell reaction in para-aortic and pelvic nodes is presented. A decidual cell reaction in frozen sections of para-aortic lymph nodes could be confused with metastatic disease. Pathogenesis of ectopic decidual cell reaction is discussed.