Recurrent benign Müllerian papilloma of the vagina. Immunohistological findings and histogenesis.

Vaginal papillomata are rare, particularly in children. The macroscopic appearance is suggestive of a botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma, which is more common in this age group. The histogenesis of these tumors is still controversial, the choices being mesonephric or Müllerian origin. In our case cytokeratins and intermediate filaments were looked for immunohistochemically. Squamous epithelium as well as the cylindrical epithelium expresses type I cytokeratins, an acidic polypeptide typical of cylindrical epithelium. A strong expression of EMA in both epithelial types and CEA staining of the cylindrical epithelium support the hypothesis that these papillomata derive from Müllerian epithelium. Recurrence as observed in our case has not been described before. Treatment involves the simple removal of the papilloma.