Objective Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma (GAS) of uterine cervix has been suggested as distinct clinicopathologic behavior. Our study aimed to investigate the distinguishing imaging features and clinical outcomes of GAS.

Methods Fifteen cases of GAS and 45 cases of 3:1 age-matched usual-type endocervical carcinoma (UEA) were assessed. Clinical parameters (age, tumor size, clinical stage, and time to recurrence [TTR] or death) and pathologic results confirmed by surgery were recorded. Imaging features (tumor shape, margin, presence of vaginal involvement, or cyst) on magnetic resonance T2-weighed images were evaluated by consensus reading. Parametrial invasion was assessed by 2 independent readers on a 4-point scale system.

Results Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinomas were associated with a higher stage at presentation and higher rates of deep cervical stromal invasion, parametrial invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. On magnetic resonance images, GASs also demonstrated a more infiltrative shape (93.3% vs 22.2%; P < 0.001) with/without cysts, ill-defined margin (93.3% vs 31.8%; P < 0.001), endocervical location (46.7%) or extension to the entire cervix (46.7%), higher rates of vaginal involvement (40.0% vs 4.4%; P = 0.002), and higher grade of parametrial invasion by both readers (66.7% vs 22.2%; P = 0.003) compared with UEAs. Patients with GAS had a significantly shorter TTR compared with UEA cases (P < 0.001) by log-rank test. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that an infiltrative tumor shape (hazard ratio, 5.92; P = 0.004) and stage II or greater (hazard ratio, 4.19; P = 0.011) were prognostic indicators of a shorter TTR.

Conclusions Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma may have characteristic imaging features and poorer outcomes compared with UEA.